Chapter 54: Introduction to Ecology (Book Questions) Flashcards
Match Them:
Abiotic interactions
Interactions among organisms
Biotic interactions
Interactions between organisms and their nonliving environment
1 & 4
2 & 3
The distribution of _________ , the major types of habitat on Earth, is largely determined by regional climatic conditions.
biomes
Which of the following levels of organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?
Multiple choice question.
Population, ecosystem, individual, community
Individual, community, population, ecosystem
Ecosystem, community, population, individual
Community, ecosystem, individual, population
Ecosystem, community, population, individual
Ecology as a discipline directly deals with all of the following levels of biological organization except:
Multiple choice question.
ecosystem
population
cellular
organismal
cellular
The main objective of studying population ecology is to understand the factors that affect
Multiple choice question.
the effect of selection pressure on the genetic makeup of populations.
the behavior of individuals and determine reproductive success.
a population’s growth and determine its size and density.
a population’s growth and determine its size and density.
The focus of __________ ecology is to determine the basis of differences in species richness.
community
A(n) __________ is a community of organisms and its interactions with the physical environment.
ecosystem
The study of the physiological response of an organism to its environment and the impact of the environment on the species distribution is called:
Multiple choice question.
community ecology
organismal ecology
ecosystem ecology
population ecology
organismal ecology
All the following are steps used in conducting an experiment via the scientific method except one. Which?
Multiple choice question.
Data analysis
Acceptance or rejection of hypothesis
Submission of results to a scientific journal
Observation
Submission of results to a scientific journal
_______ ecology focuses on groups of interbreeding individuals in an attempt to understand factors that determine group size and density.
Multiple choice question.
Physiological
Behavioral
Population
Ecosystem
Population
Community ecological studies focus on how:
Multiple choice question.
populations of species interact with each other.
biomes interact with each other.
individuals within a species interact with each other.
populations of species interact with each other.
The interacting system of a community of organisms and the physical environment in which they live is called:
Multiple choice question.
competition
succession
an ecosystem
an ecosystem
Which of the following steps is NOT used to test a hypothesis?
Multiple choice question.
Data collection
Prediction
Experimentation
Data analysis
Correct Answer
Prediction
Prediction
In general, abiotic factors have powerful effects in most ecological systems. Which of the following is an abiotic factor?
Multiple choice question.
Competition
Parasites
Predation
Salinity
Salinity
What abiotic factor affects osmosis in marine and freshwater environments?
Multiple choice question.
Temperature
Light
Salinity
Wind
Salinity
True or false: Temperature is not an important factor in the distribution of organisms because most organisms can regulate their body temperatures precisely.
True false question.
True
False
False
You hypothesize that predators have a significant effect on a winter moth population. What are your experimental and control groups in your experimental design?
Multiple choice question.
One group in which the prey are removed (control), and one in which predators are removed (experimental).
One group in which the predators are removed (control), and one in which the prey are removed (experimental).
One group in which the predators are removed (experimental), and one in which the predators are present (control).
One group in which the predators are removed (experimental), and one in which the predators are present (control).
Performing an experiment several times is called ________.
replication
Select all that apply
Choose all abiotic factors that limit distribution patterns and abundance of organisms.
Multiple select question.
Wind
Water
Temperature
Salinity
Pathogens
Wind
Water
Temperature
Salinity
As air heats up, it rises, allowing cooler air to rush in and take its place. This temperature gradient creates
Multiple choice question.
flooding.
the greenhouse effect.
global warming.
wind.
wind.
Which abiotic factor amplifies cool temperatures?
Multiple choice question.
Light
Salinity
Water
Wind
Wind
In plants and in some invertebrates, ________ acts as a hydrostatic skeleton.
water or H2O
Temperature is a very critical factor in how organisms are distributed. Why?
Multiple choice question.
Most organisms cannot regulate their body temperature precisely
Metabolic enzymes are denatured at low temperatures
Temperature can affect decomposition and nutrient availability
Most organisms cannot regulate their body temperature precisely
Select all that apply
Select all of the following that accurately describe effects of water on organisms.
Multiple select question.
Insufficient water limits plant growth.
Excess water drowns plants.
Insufficient water limits animal abundance.
Excess water increases salinity levels.
Insufficient water limits plant growth.
Excess water drowns plants.
Insufficient water limits animal abundance.
In addition to gases such as carbon dioxide and water, photosynthesis also requires __________, which can be a limiting resource for plants.
light
Select all that apply
Compared to rivers, oceans contain considerably more dissolved minerals because:
Multiple select question.
the sun evaporates pure water from ocean surfaces
more oceanic animals die, decompose and minerals are release in the ocean
oceans continually receive the nutrient-rich waters of rivers
the more diverse and dense aquatic population of animals excrete more minerals
the sun evaporates pure water from ocean surfaces
oceans continually receive the nutrient-rich waters of rivers
How is wind created?
Multiple choice question.
Dense hot air rushes in to replace less dense cool air that rises.
Less dense cool air rushes in to replace dense hot air that rises.
Less dense hot air rushes in to replace dense cool air that rises.
Dense cool air rushes in to replace less dense hot air that rises.
Dense cool air rushes in to replace less dense hot air that rises.
Which of the following is not a function of water?
Multiple choice question.
Water is the mean by which animals eliminate waste
Water catalyzes many cellular reactions
Water acts as a solvent for chemical reactions
In plants and in some invertebrates water acts as a hydrostatic skeleton
Water catalyzes many cellular reactions
Climate includes the temperature, wind, precipitation, and light patterns in a region of the world and affects the
Multiple choice question.
distribution and abundance of organisms in that region.
types of atmospheric gases that will settle there.
amount of acid rain that falls in that area.
warming potential of carbon dioxide in that region.
distribution and abundance of organisms in that region.
Select all that apply
Select all reasons why there is less heat at high latitudes.
Multiple select question.
The sun’s rays travel a greater distance through the atmosphere.
There is less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The sun’s rays hit the Earth obliquely.
The thinner air in the mountains cannot retain the heat.
The sun’s rays travel a greater distance through the atmosphere.
The sun’s rays hit the Earth obliquely.
Which of the following geographical regions have the largest fluctuations in yearly temperatures?
Multiple choice question.
Southern hemisphere
Northern hemisphere
Tropical regions
Northern hemisphere
On the windward side of the mountain warm, moist air flows upward and cools. This increases ______ on the windward side of a mountain.
Multiple choice question.
precipitation
soil salinity
temperature
evaporation
precipitation
In mountains, when air is blown across the Earth’s surface and up over the mountains, it cools as air expands because of:
Multiple choice question.
reduced pressure
increased pressure
reduced pressure
Water is at its most dense at __________ degrees C and becomes less dense as it warms or cools.
4
A large naturally occurring community of animals and plants occupying a major habitat is best defined as a(n)
Multiple choice question.
biome.
population.
ecosystem.
domain.
biome.
What accounts for a distribution of similar plant and animal species and fossils in South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, and Australia?
Multiple choice question.
A massive volcano eruption
Continental drift
Migration
Severe flooding
Continental drift
At ______ water freezes and is in its ______ dense state.
Multiple choice question.
0o C; most
4o C; most
-4o C; least
0o C; least
0o C; least
Select mechanisms underlying disjunct distributions.
Multiple select question.
Continental drift
Extinction
Human formation of zoos
Change in the existence of land bridges
Change in climate patterns
Continental drift
Extinction
Change in the existence of land bridges
Change in climate patterns
The distribution patterns of some groups of animals are confined to a region that corresponds largely to continents but more exactly to areas bounded by major barriers to dispersal. This region is called:
Multiple choice question.
a biome
tropical region
the intertropical convergence zone
biogeographical region
biogeographical region
True or false: Biogeographical regions are not bounded by major barriers to dispersal.
True false question.
True
False
False
Bonus: What do you call the species of compositions of most ecosystems are not constant but change over time in a predicatable sequence?
Ecological succession.
Bouns: How does ecological succession primarily occur?
As dominant species alter the environment, producing favorable conditions for other species to colonize the area.
For example, the roots of grasses can stabilize loose soils, allowing for the colonization of woody plants. As woody plants increase, new habitat is created for arboreal organisms.
What, after much time, is called when an ecosystem may become a relatively stable combination of species?
Climax community
Climax communities are considered the final stage of ecological succession.
When or where are ecological successions inititated?
In areas where no life exists, or where existing ecosystems have been disturbed.
