Chapter 52: Ecology and the Biosphere

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment

Question 2

Global ecology

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Landscape ecology

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Ecosystem ecology

Answer 4

Emphazises energy flow and chemical cycling among the various biotic and abiotic components

Question 5

Community Ecology

Answer 5

Deals with the whole array of interacting species in a community

Question 6

Population ecology

Answer 6

Focuses on factors affecting population size over time

Question 7

Organismal ecology

Answer 7

Studies how an organism’s structure, physiology, and behavior meet environmental challenges

Question 8

Macroclimate

Answer 8

Consists of patterns on the global, regional and landscape level

Question 9

Microclimate

Answer 9

Consists of very fine patterns, like those encountered by the community of organisms underneath a fallen log