Chap. 52

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the living and nonliving components of their environment

Question 2

Organismal ecology

Answer 2

• studies how an organism’s structure, physiology, and (for animals) behavior meet environmental challenges
• includes physiological, evolutionary, and behavioral ecology

Question 3

Population ecology

Answer 3

focuses on factors affecting population size over time

Question 4

community

Answer 4

is a group of populations of different species in an area

Question 5

Community ecology

Answer 5

• examines the effect of interspecific interactions on community structure and organization

Question 6

ecosystem

Answer 6

is the community of organisms in an area and the physical factors with which they interact

Question 7

Ecosystem ecology

Answer 7

emphasizes energy flow and chemical cycling between organisms and the environment

Question 8

landscape

Answer 8

(or seascape) is a mosaic of connected ecosystems

Question 9

Landscape ecology

Answer 9

• focuses on the exchanges of energy, materials, and organisms across multiple ecosystems

Question 10

biosphere

Answer 10

is the global ecosystem, the sum of all the planet’s ecosystems and landscapes

Question 11

Global ecology

Answer 11

examines the influence of energy and materials on organisms across the biosphere

Question 12

Ecology (4)

Answer 12

• Energy
• Photosynthesis
• Availability of Sunlight
• Adaptation to sunlight

Question 13

Four of water’s properties that facilitate an environment for life are

Answer 13

• Cohesive behavior
• Ability to moderate temperature
• Expansion upon freezing
• Versatility as a solvent

Question 14

Other Ecological Factors (6)

Answer 14

• Oxygen
• Salinity
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Wind
• Fire

Question 15

climate

Answer 15

The long-term prevailing weather conditions in an area

Question 16

Four major physical components of climate are

Answer 16

• temperature
• precipitation
• sunlight
• wind

Question 17

The intensity of sunlight is strongest in

Answer 17

the tropics (between 23.5º north
latitude and 23.5º south latitude) where sunlight strikes Earth most directly

Question 18

Cooling trade winds blow from____ in the tropics and ____ in the temperate zones.

Answer 18

east to west in the tropics; prevailing westerlies blow from west to east in the temperate zones

Question 19

Dry, descending air masses create arid climates

Answer 19

especially near 30º north and south
- dry, little rain, and high evaporation

Question 20

Currents flowing toward the equator carry _____ water from the _____;
currents flowing away from the equator carry ____ water toward the_____

Answer 20

cold water from the poles;
warm water toward the
poles

Question 21

How do mountains affect climates

Answer 21

warm are cools as it rises so it releases moisture on the side with the water and the cool dry air absorbs moisture from the land as it goes down again on the other side

Question 22

Microclimate

Answer 22

• refers to very fine, localized patterns in climate
• small areas with their own special climate that differs from its surrounding (ex: caves, or a big rock that is hotter than rest of the area)

Question 23

Every environment is characterized by differences in (2)

Answer 23

• Abiotic factors
• Biotic factors

Question 24

Abiotic factors

Answer 24

• including nonliving attributes such as temperature, light, water, and nutrients

Question 25

Biotic factors

Answer 25

• including other organisms that are part of an individual’s environment

Question 26

Climate change is ____

Answer 26

a directional change to the global climate lasting three decades or more

Question 27

Climate

Answer 27

is a major factor determining the locations of terrestrial
biomes because it strongly influences the distribution of plants