Chapter 3 Vocabulary

Question 1

Community

Answer 1

Group of interacting populations that occupy the same area at the same time

Question 2

Limiting Factor

Answer 2

Any abiotic or biotic factor that restricts the numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms

Question 3

Tolerance

Answer 3

The ability of any organism to survive when subjected to abiotic factors or biotic factors

Question 4

Ecological Succession

Answer 4

The change in an ecosystem that happens when one community replaces another as a result of changing abiotic and biotic factors

Question 5

Primary Succession

Answer 5

The establishment of a community in an area of exposed rock that does not have any topsoil

Question 6

Climax Community

Answer 6

The stable, mature community that results when there is little change in the composition of species

Question 7

Secondary Succession

Answer 7

The orderly and predictable change that take place after a community of organisms has been removed but the soil has remained intact

Question 8

Weather

Answer 8

The condition of the atmosphere at a specific place and time

Question 9

Latitude

Answer 9

The distance of any point on the surface of Earth north or south of the equator

Question 10

Climate

Answer 10

The average weather conditions in an area, including temperature and precipitation

Question 11

Tundra

Answer 11

A treeless biome with a layer of permanently frozen soil below the surface called permafrost

Question 12

Boreal Forest

Answer 12

Broad band of dense evergreen forest extending across North America, Europe, and Asia

Question 13

Temperate Forest

Answer 13

Forest composed mostly of broad-leaved, deciduous trees

Question 14

Woodlands

Answer 14

Biome characterized by small trees and mixed shrub communities

Question 15

Grassland

Answer 15

Biome characterized by fertile soils that are able to support a thick cover of grasses

Question 16

Desert

Answer 16

Any area in which the annual rate of evaporation exceeds the rate of precipitation

Question 17

Tropical Savanna

Answer 17

Biome characterized by grasses and scattered trees in climates that receive less precipitation and some other tropical areas

Question 18

Tropical Seasonal Forests

Answer 18

Biome characterized by deciduous and evergreen trees, a dry season, and animal species that include monkeys, elephants, and Bengal tigers

Question 19

Tropical Rain Forest

Answer 19

Biome characterized by warm temperatures and large amounts of rainfall throughout the year

Question 20

Sediment

Answer 20

Material deposited by water, wind, or glaciers

Question 21

Limnetic Zone

Answer 21

Open water area that is well lit and is dominated by plankton

Question 22

Plankton

Answer 22

Free-floating photosynthetic autotrophs that live in freshwater or marine ecosystems

Question 23

Profundal Zone

Answer 23

Deepest areas of a large lake

Question 24

Wetlands

Answer 24

Areas of land such as marshes, swamps, and boggs that are saturated with water and that support aquatic plants

Question 25

Estuary

Answer 25

An ecosystem that is formed where freshwater from a river or stream merges with salt water from the ocean

Question 26

Intertidal Zone

Answer 26

A narrow band where the ocean meets land

Question 27

Photic Zone

Answer 27

Open-ocean zone shallow enough for sunlight to penetrate

Question 28

Aphotic Zone

Answer 28

Open-ocean zone through which sunlight cannot penetrate

Question 29

Benthic Zone

Answer 29

Ocean-floor area consisting of sand, silt, and dead organisms

Question 30

Abyssal Zone

Answer 30

Deepest, very cold region of the open ocean