D: Biology = Changes in Living Systems 1.2 Biotic Factors = the Influence of Living Things Flashcards
What was the estimated population of bison that roamed the grasslands of North America?
From 30 to 60 million bison
This population existed until about 200 years ago.
In terms of biomass production, how does prairie grassland compare to technologically advanced wheat fields?
One hectare of prairie grassland produces more biomass each year than one hectare of the most technologically advanced wheat field
This highlights the ecological productivity of natural grasslands.
What role did prairie dogs play in the success of bison on Alberta’s grasslands?
Prairie dogs are suspected of playing a key role in the success of bison
Their interactions within the ecosystem contribute to the health of the grasslands.
What is the definition of biomass?
The dry mass of all the living organisms occupying a habitat
Biomass is a critical measure of ecological productivity.
Define ecology.
The study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment
Ecology encompasses both biotic and abiotic factors.
Fill in the blank: An ecosystem includes not only all the organisms but also all the _______ from an area.
abiotic factors
This includes elements like soil, water, and climate.
How did the prairie environment contribute to the bison’s adaptation?
Bison were perfectly matched to the prairie landscape due to their adaptations to the ecosystem
These adaptations include their grazing habits and physical characteristics.
True or False: Bison were the least numerous grazing animals on the planet before their decline.
False
They were, in fact, the most numerous grazing animals until about 200 years ago.
What is the significance of the relationship between prairie dogs and bison?
It illustrates the interconnectedness of species within the prairie ecosystem
Their relationship underscores the complexity of ecological interactions.
What is a population in ecological terms?
A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same area at the same time.
What role did the bison population play in Alberta’s prairie landscapes?
The bison population played a central role in the lives of people who inhabited Alberta’s prairie landscapes.
What supported the bison population in the prairie ecosystem?
The very grasses that comprised the landscape supported the bison population.
How many plant species are typically found in prairie grassland?
More than 100 plant species.
What type of plants predominantly make up prairie grasslands?
Most of these plants are perennials with extensive root systems.
True or False: Natural prairie grassland is common in western Canada.
False
What is the status of natural prairie grassland in western Canada?
Natural prairie grassland is not so common anymore in western Canada.
How deep can the roots of some prairie grasses extend?
The roots of some prairie grasses can extend 3 m to 4 m deep into the soil.
What role do prairie grass roots play in soil protection?
They bind the soil tightly to the earth and protect it from erosion.
If connected end to end, how far would the roots found in a square metre of prairie soil just 10 cm deep stretch?
Over 30 km.
What type of plants primarily make up prairie grasslands?
Most of these plants are perennials.
How do the root systems of prairie plants compare to the soil surface?
They have extensive root systems that extend far below the surface.
What is notable about the soil that supports prairie plants?
It is regarded as among the deepest, most productive, and most fertile soil on the entire planet.
What surprising fact is mentioned about the biomass of organisms in prairie soil?
The tiny organisms living in the soil beneath the grassland’s surface have a larger total biomass than the larger animals that live above ground.
What is the status of natural prairie grassland in western Canada?
Natural prairie grassland is not so common anymore in western Canada.
How deep can the roots of some prairie grasses extend?
The roots of some prairie grasses can extend 3 m to 4 m deep into the soil.
What role do prairie grass roots play in soil protection?
They bind the soil tightly to the earth and protect it from erosion.
If connected end to end, how far would the roots found in a square metre of prairie soil just 10 cm deep stretch?
Over 30 km.
What type of plants primarily make up prairie grasslands?
Most of these plants are perennials.
How do the root systems of prairie plants compare to the soil surface?
They have extensive root systems that extend far below the surface.
What is notable about the soil that supports prairie plants?
It is regarded as among the deepest, most productive, and most fertile soil on the entire planet.
What surprising fact is mentioned about the biomass of organisms in prairie soil?
The tiny organisms living in the soil beneath the grassland’s surface have a larger total biomass than the larger animals that live above ground.
What do the growths on the roots of this plant contain?
Bacteria that make nitrogen available to the plant
These bacteria provide essential nutrients to the plant.
What do plants provide for the bacteria living on their roots?
A site to live and nutrients through their roots
This symbiotic relationship is crucial for nutrient exchange.
Which microscopic life forms convert key nutrients into usable forms for grasses?
Bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic life forms
They play a vital role in nutrient cycling in the soil.
How do microorganisms help in nutrient availability for grasses?
By decomposing organic matter, such as dead leaves and animal droppings
This process enriches the soil with essential nutrients.
What would happen without microorganisms in the soil?
There would be insufficient nutrients to support the grasses
This would lead to a lack of food sources for larger animals.
What is a biological community?
Interacting populations living in a certain area at a certain time
This definition highlights the relationships among different species.
What does the term ‘community’ imply in an ecological context?
Both physical closeness and interconnections between populations
This analogy can be compared to human communities.
In the analogy of human communities, what would an organism’s habitat represent?
Its address in the community
This emphasizes the importance of location in ecological interactions.
What do the growths on the roots of this plant contain?
Bacteria that make nitrogen available to the plant
These bacteria provide essential nutrients to the plant.
What do plants provide for the bacteria living on their roots?
A site to live and nutrients through their roots
This symbiotic relationship is crucial for nutrient exchange.
Which microscopic life forms convert key nutrients into usable forms for grasses?
Bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic life forms
They play a vital role in nutrient cycling in the soil.
How do microorganisms help in nutrient availability for grasses?
By decomposing organic matter, such as dead leaves and animal droppings
This process enriches the soil with essential nutrients.
What would happen without microorganisms in the soil?
There would be insufficient nutrients to support the grasses
This would lead to a lack of food sources for larger animals.
What is a biological community?
Interacting populations living in a certain area at a certain time
This definition highlights the relationships among different species.
What does the term ‘community’ imply in an ecological context?
Both physical closeness and interconnections between populations
This analogy can be compared to human communities.
In the analogy of human communities, what would an organism’s habitat represent?
Its address in the community
This emphasizes the importance of location in ecological interactions.
What sound do prairie dogs make when approached?
They make barking sounds that resemble a puppy-like yip
This yip is the reason early European settlers called them sod poodles.
What is the name of the system of burrows where prairie dogs live?
Towns
The burrows usually have one main entrance mound and at least one exit hole.
Why do prairie dogs prefer areas free of shrubs?
To have a long, unobstructed view of their surroundings
This allows them to see predators coming.
What effect does tunneling by prairie dogs have on soil?
It alters the soil chemistry by aerating the soil and mixing in plant and animal wastes
This churning increases the nutrient value of the soil.
How many other species are recognized to benefit from prairie-dog towns?
More than 150 species
These species may live in the burrows, eat prairie dogs, or feed on nutritious plants and insects found in the area.
Fill in the blank: Prairie dogs eat any vegetation that grows too _______.
high
True or False: Prairie-dog towns enhance plant diversity and productivity.
True
The increased nutrient value of the soil promotes plant growth.
What is the ecological relationship called between bison and prairie dogs?
Symbiosis
Symbiosis refers to a long-lasting ecological relationship that benefits at least one organism of two different species living in close contact.
What does symbiosis mean?
Living together
What is mutualism?
A symbiotic relationship in which the organisms of both species benefit
How do bison impact the soil and vegetation?
They compact the soil and keep vegetation short by eating the tips of the grasses
What habitat is created by the grazing of bison?
An ideal habitat for prairie dogs
Why do prairie dogs prefer areas with compacted soil?
To make effective burrows
What happens when the population of prairie dogs gets too large?
Young adults follow the trail of cleared vegetation to create a new colony
True or False: The relationship between bison and prairie dogs is an example of mutualism.
True
Fill in the blank: Symbiosis is a long-lasting, ecological relationship that benefits at least one organism of _______ species ative in close contact.
[two]
What type of animals are prairie dogs?
Social animals
What is the term for a relationship in which both species benefit?
Mutualism
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms gain advantages from their association.
Give an example of mutualism involving nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of prairie plants
The bacteria provide nitrogen to the plants, while the plants supply nutrients to the bacteria.
Why might some biologists argue that the relationship between prairie dogs and bison is not the best example of mutualism?
An individual prairie dog does not have a long-term association with an individual bison
This lack of sustained interaction raises questions about the mutual benefits in their relationship.
Fill in the blank: When two species live close together in a relationship in which both species benefit, it is called _______.
[mutualism]
What is the benefit for the prairie plant from the nitrogen-fixing bacteria?
The plant benefits from the nitrogen provided by the bacteria
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth.
What do nitrogen-fixing bacteria utilize from the prairie plants?
Some nutrients in the plant roots
This nutrient exchange is part of the mutualistic relationship.
What is the term for a relationship in which both species benefit?
Mutualism
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms gain advantages from their association.
Give an example of mutualism involving nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of prairie plants
The bacteria provide nitrogen to the plants, while the plants supply nutrients to the bacteria.
Why might some biologists argue that the relationship between prairie dogs and bison is not the best example of mutualism?
An individual prairie dog does not have a long-term association with an individual bison
This lack of sustained interaction raises questions about the mutual benefits in their relationship.
Fill in the blank: When two species live close together in a relationship in which both species benefit, it is called _______.
[mutualism]
What is the benefit for the prairie plant from the nitrogen-fixing bacteria?
The plant benefits from the nitrogen provided by the bacteria
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth.
What do nitrogen-fixing bacteria utilize from the prairie plants?
Some nutrients in the plant roots
This nutrient exchange is part of the mutualistic relationship.
What is the relationship between cowbirds and bison called?
Commensalism
In this relationship, cowbirds benefit from feeding on insects stirred up by bison without affecting the bison.
In commensalism, how does one organism benefit?
One organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed
This type of symbiosis highlights the unequal benefits between the two species involved.
What type of relationship do cowbirds have with yellow warblers?
Parasitism
In this relationship, cowbirds benefit at the expense of the yellow warblers.
Define parasitism.
A symbiotic relationship in which one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another
Parasitism often involves harm to the host organism.
What determines the type of symbiosis occurring between two species?
The relationship between the two species
It is not the identity of the species that matters, but how they interact with each other.
Fill in the blank: Commensalism is a form of symbiosis in which one organism _______.
[benefits]
The other organism in commensalism is neither helped nor harmed.
What is the behavior of female cowbirds regarding nesting?
Female cowbirds deposit one of their eggs into another bird’s nest
This is a form of brood parasitism where cowbirds rely on other birds to incubate and raise their young.
What type of bird is commonly used by cowbirds for egg deposition?
Yellow warblers
Yellow warblers unknowingly incubate cowbird eggs along with their own.
Why do cowbirds not build their own nests?
Cowbirds follow wandering herds of bison in search of insects
This behavior leaves them with no time to build nests or tend to their young.
What happens to the chick of the cowbird once it hatches?
The parasitic cowbird chick usually hatches first and grows quickly
It consumes most of the food brought to the nest by its foster parents.
What effect does the cowbird chick’s growth have on the host bird’s chicks?
Chicks of the host birds may be pushed out of the nest
This occurs because the larger cowbird chick monopolizes food resources.
Fill in the blank: Cowbirds are known for their _______ behavior.
brood parasitism
What is predation?
An interaction where one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, called the prey.
What is predation?
An interaction where one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, called the prey.
