Ch 40: Population Ecology and the Distribution of Organisms

Question 1

The tilt of the Earth’s axis relative to its plane of orbit is 23.5°. What would you predict might occur if the angle of tilt increased to 33.5°?

Answer 1

Seasons would be more extreme. Summers in the U.S. would likely become warmer and winters colder.

Question 2

The spin of the earth produces the ________ effect → air mass at the surface of the earth is deflected, producing prevailing winds.

Answer 2

Coriolis

Question 3

The trade winds are based on where the winds ____ ___, not where they ____ ____.

Answer 3

come from

blow toward

Question 4

Surface winds drive surface ________ in oceans and large bodies of land.

Answer 4

currents

Question 5

Currents redistribute ____ across the globe.

Answer 5

heat

Question 6

Coral reefs can be found on the southeast coast of the U. S. but not at similar latitudes on the southwest coast. Differences in which of the following most likely account for this?

a. ) sunlight intensity
b. ) ocean salinity
c. ) day length
d. ) ocean currents
e. ) precipitation

Answer 6

ocean currents

Question 7

Water ________ the climate along coasts, making temperatures more moderate.

Evaporation from the water produces local __________.

Answer 7

mediates

precipitation

Question 8

What are the key factors for determining biome?

Answer 8

temperature and precipitation

Question 9

A population is a group of individuals of the same _______ living in an area.

Answer 9

species

Question 10

Examples of biotic factors which affect populations include food sources, predators, herbivores, parasites, diseases. Examples of abiotic factors include….

Answer 10

….temperature, water and oxygen, salinity, sunlight, rocks and soil.

Question 11

Population dispersion is the _______ _________ of individuals in an area.

Answer 11

spatial arrangement

(different types of dispersion include uniform distribution, random, clumped – these usually reflect the availability of resources)