Chapter 1: Introduction

Question 1

Define: Ecology

Answer 1

Ecology is the scientific study of the abundance and distribution of organisms in relation to other organisms and environmental conditions.

Question 2

Define: Ecological systems

Answer 2

Biological entities that have their own internal processes and interact with their external surroundings.

Question 3

True or False
Ecological systems exist at many different levels.

Answer 3

True, they may exist ranging from an individual organism to the entire globe.

Question 4

An ecological system might be…

Answer 4

-an individual
-a population
-entire biosphere

Question 5

True or False
Different types of ecological systems can exist in hierarchy.

Answer 5

Each ecological system is a subset of a larger one.

Question 6

Ecological system hierarchy

Answer 6

Biosphere > Ecosystem > Community > Population > Individual

Question 7

Define: Individuals

Answer 7

A living being, the most fundamental unit of ecology.

Question 8

Every individual has…

Answer 8

…a membrane or other covering across which it exchanges energy and materials with its environment. This boundary separates the internal processes and structures of the ecological system from the external environment, processes and conditions.

Question 9

When an individual acquires energy and and detoxifies waste products,

Answer 9

this process alters the conditions of the environment and affects the resources available for other organisms.

Question 10

Define: Species

Answer 10

Historically, species was defined as a group of organisms that naturally interbreed with each other and produce fertile offspring.

Current research demonstrates that no single definition can be applied to all organisms.

Question 11

True or False
Reproductive isolation can be used to draw the line between species.

Answer 11

False
Distinct species can interbreed.

Question 12

Define: Population

Answer 12

Individuals of the same species living in a particular area.

Question 13

Populations have 5 distinct properties that are not exhibited by individuals:

Answer 13

1. Geographic range
2. Abundance
3. Density
4. Change in size (growth)
5. Composition

Question 14

Define: Geographic range

Answer 14

Also known as distribution
The extend of land or water within which a population lives.

Question 15

Define: Abundance

Answer 15

Total number of individuals in a population.

Question 16

Define: Density

Answer 16

Density of a population is the number of individuals per unit of area.

Question 17

Define: Change in size/growth

Answer 17

Increases and decreases in the number of individuals in an area.

Question 18

Define: Composition

Answer 18

The composition of a population describes the genetic makeup of the population in terms of gender, age or genetics.

Question 19

Define: Community

Answer 19

All populations of species living together in a particular area.

Question 20

True or False
A type of species eating another type of species is an example of how populations in communities interact.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

True or False
Boundaries for defining a community is non-negotiable.

Answer 21

False
In Banff National Park the higher forest trees can be a distinct community from the lower forest trees (different species) - even though they are in the same park.

Question 22

Define: Ecosystem

Answer 22

One or more communities of living organisms interacting with their non-living physical and chemical environments.

Question 23

What do scientists focus on when analyzing at the ecosystem level?

Answer 23

Movement of energy (Sun, photosynthesis) and physical matter (C, O, N, Ph) between physical and biological components of the ecosystem.

Question 24

Distinguish between Herbivores, Carnivores, and Detritivores.

Answer 24

Herbivores: Animals that eat plants
Carnivores: Animals that eat each other
Detritivores: Themselves can be consumed by other animals.

Question 25

Explain “flow of matter”

Answer 25

The movement among elements such as Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon among pools on Earth.

Question 26

Explain the “cycling of nutrients”

Answer 26

Nutrients in the soil are consumed by animals.
Nutrients exist in animal tissues and extra is excreted as waste.
When the animal dies the nutrients return to the soil.

Question 27

True or False
The boundaries of ecosystems are always distinct.

Answer 27

False
Ecosystems can be distinguished by the relative isolation with respect to flows of matter and energy - however only a few ecosystems are actually isolated in reality.

Question 28

Define: Biosphere

Answer 28

All of the ecosystems on Earth; which are linked together by movements of air, water, and organisms.
The biosphere holds all materials that is had ever had, and retains whatever waste materials we generate.

Question 29

How are distant ecosystems connected to form the biosphere?

Answer 29

By exchanges of energy and nutrients carried by currents of water and wind; and by the movements of organisms, such as migrating birds, whales, and fish.

Question 30

What are the two exceptions of the biosphere transformations being internal?

Answer 30

1. Energy that enters from the Sun
2. Energy that is lost to space