Bio Ecology Section 4-1

Question 1

species

Answer 1

a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Question 2

ecology

Answer 2

study of the relationships between living organisms and between organisms and their environment.

Question 3

community

Answer 3

group of population living and interacting with each other in an area.

Question 4

population

Answer 4

a group of organisms of the same species who live in the same area at the same time.

Question 5

ecosystem

Answer 5

A community and its abiotic environment.

Question 6

biosphere

Answer 6

the thin layer of ecosystems that cover earth.

Question 7

abiotic environment

Answer 7

non living environment; like water, rocks, temperature, light

Question 8

autotroph

Answer 8

organisms that use an external energy source to produce organic matter from inorganic raw materials. Ex. trees, plants, algae, blue-green bacteria

Question 9

heterotroph

Answer 9

organisms that use the energy in organic matter, obtained

Question 10

Describe the limitations of the biological species concept.

Answer 10

1. ) reproductive isolation
2. ) some species reproduce asexually but are considered a species because of morphology
3. ) the reproductive isolation of fossils can’t be determined.

Question 11

speciation

Answer 11

process by which populations evolve to become distinct species

Question 12

how can reproductive isolation lead to speciation

Answer 12

1) Geography, changes in behavior or polyploidy can cause reproductive isolation between populations, isolating the gene pools
2) Natural selection acts on the isolated populations independently
3) The populations diverge to the point of no longer being able to interbreed with each other to produce fertile offspring, forming two species

Question 13

what is an example of a consumer

Answer 13

anything that is not an autotroph (producer)

Question 14

detritivores

Answer 14

heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus. (Detritus is particulate organic material such as the bodies or fragments of dead organisms and/or fecal material)

Question 15

saprotrophs

Answer 15

Saprotrophs live on dead organic matter and feed by a process in which dead or decaying organic material is extracellularly digested (outside of the cell) by a variety of enzymes that are excreted by the organism. After digestion, the nutrients are then absorbed into the organism.

Question 16

saprotroph examples

Answer 16

fungi, soil bacteria

Question 17

nutrient

Answer 17

Nutrients are molecules required by an organism for growth, repair, and normal metabolism.

Question 18

common nutrients

Answer 18

Macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins and water) are needed in large amounts and are used primarily to generate energy or to incorporate into tissues for growth and repair. Micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) are needed in smaller amounts and often have subtle biochemical and physiological roles in cellular processes.

Question 19

sustainability

Answer 19

Sustainability is the capacity of ecosystems to maintain their essential functions and processes, over time.

Question 20

describe the discrepancy in the nutritional pattern of parasitic plants and algae

Answer 20

This is because some plants and algae are parasitic and feed on other plants instead of performing photosynthesis.

Parasitic plants have modified roots that penetrate the host plants, providing them with the ability to extract water and nutrients from the host.

Question 21

trend in parasitic plants and algae

Answer 21

The majority of plants and algae are autotrophs capable of making their own carbon compounds by photosynthesis.

Question 22

mesocosm

Answer 22

A mesocosm is an experimental model ecosystem used to investigate ecosystems under controlled conditions.

Question 23

examples of mesocosms

Answer 23

1) small sealed containers with organisms inside it
2) fenced enclosures in fields or aquatic areas
3) large tanks with inputs and outputs that mimic environmental conditions.

Question 24

dichotomous key

Answer 24

A dichotomous key is a tool that allows the user to determine the identity of an organism by following a series of steps.