Ec Flashcards
What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
True or False: Aquatic ecosystems only include saltwater environments.
False
Fill in the blank: The two main types of ecosystems are __________ and __________.
terrestrial, aquatic
What is a biome?
A biome is a large geographical area characterized by specific climate conditions and distinct plant and animal communities.
Which of the following is a freshwater ecosystem? A) Ocean B) Lake C) Coral Reef
B) Lake
Define ‘habitat’.
A habitat is the natural environment in which an organism lives.
True or False: Producers are organisms that can make their own food.
True
What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?
The sun
Fill in the blank: Organisms that eat producers are called __________.
herbivores
What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Which of the following is a characteristic of wetlands? A) High salinity B) Waterlogged soil C) Desert conditions
B) Waterlogged soil
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
True or False: All living organisms in an ecosystem are interdependent.
True
What is a food chain?
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.
Fill in the blank: The process by which plants convert sunlight into energy is called __________.
photosynthesis
What is an apex predator?
An apex predator is a predator at the top of a food chain with no natural predators.
Which type of ecosystem is characterized by high rainfall and diverse species? A) Desert B) Tropical rainforest C) Tundra
B) Tropical rainforest
Define ‘niche’.
A niche is the role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem.
True or False: Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems.
True
What is the water cycle?
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the gradual change in species composition in an ecosystem over time.
Succession
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas, while secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has cleared an ecosystem but left the soil intact.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a desert biome? A) Low rainfall B) High temperatures C) Dense vegetation
C) Dense vegetation
What is a keystone species?
A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance.
True or False: Ecosystems can be affected by human activities.
True
What is the significance of coral reefs in aquatic ecosystems?
Coral reefs provide habitat and shelter for many marine organisms, and they are vital for biodiversity.
Fill in the blank: The __________ zone of a lake is where sunlight penetrates and supports photosynthesis.
littoral
What is ecology?
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
What is the primary focus of genetics?
The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
Who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Charles Darwin.
What is the role of climate in ecology?
Climate affects the distribution and behavior of organisms.
What is the main component of the water cycle?
Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Fill in the blank: The _____ level of a trophic pyramid represents producers.
Base
True or False: Genetic variation is important for natural selection.
True.
What is a keystone species?
A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.
What are the four main types of ecosystems?
Terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and artificial.
What does the term ‘biodiversity’ refer to?
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
What is genetic drift?
A mechanism of evolution that involves random changes in allele frequencies in a population.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a component of natural selection? A) Variation B) Inheritance C) Randomness D) Differential survival
C) Randomness.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The warming of the Earth’s surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the part of the Earth where life exists.
Biosphere
What is the significance of a genetic mutation?
It can introduce new traits that may be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.
True or False: All ecosystems have the same trophic structure.
False.
What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?
The sun.
What is a population in ecological terms?
A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.
Define ‘carrying capacity’.
The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.
What are abiotic factors?
Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor? A) Temperature B) Water C) Plants D) Soil
C) Plants.
What is the primary function of chlorophyll in plants?
To absorb light energy for photosynthesis.
Fill in the blank: The process by which species adapt to their environment over generations is called _____
Evolution
True or False: Evolution occurs at the level of individuals.
False.
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain shows a linear sequence of energy transfer, while a food web shows interconnected food chains.
What are trophic levels?
The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on.
Who is known for the concept of ‘survival of the fittest’?
Herbert Spencer.
What is an ecological niche?
The role and position a species has in its environment.
What does ‘symbiosis’ mean?
A close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a type of symbiotic relationship? A) Mutualism B) Commensalism C) Parasitism D) All of the above
D) All of the above.
What is the main impact of climate change on ecosystems?
It alters habitats and affects species distribution and survival.
Define ‘natural selection’.
The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
What is an example of a density-dependent factor?
Food availability.
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
They break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Fill in the blank: The _____ hypothesis suggests that species evolve in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability.
Punctuated equilibrium
What is a habitat?
The natural home or environment of an organism.
True or False: Climate refers only to short-term weather patterns.
False.
What is the significance of the trophic cascade?
It describes how changes in one trophic level can influence multiple levels above and below it.
What is the primary cause of ocean acidification?
Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What defines a biome?
A large geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions.
Fill in the blank: In genetics, an organism’s observable traits are referred to as its _____
Phenotype
What is the significance of the Hardy-Weinberg principle?
It provides a baseline for studying genetic variation in populations under ideal conditions.
What is a primary producer?
An organism that can produce its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a greenhouse gas? A) Oxygen B) Nitrogen C) Carbon Dioxide D) Hydrogen
C) Carbon Dioxide.
What is the primary purpose of conservation biology?
To protect species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction.
What is a genetic allele?
A variant form of a gene.
True or False: All mutations are harmful to an organism.
False.
What is the significance of the Galápagos Islands in the study of evolution?
They were instrumental in Charles Darwin’s formulation of his theory of natural selection.
What is a biome characterized by very low temperatures and limited vegetation?
Tundra.
Fill in the blank: The _____ cycle describes the movement of water through the environment.
Hydrologic
What is the main consequence of deforestation on climate?
Increased carbon dioxide levels and disrupted local climates.
What is an invasive species?
A non-native species that spreads widely in a new habitat, often causing harm to native species.
What is the role of the ozone layer?
To protect the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
True or False: Ecosystems can be both natural and artificial.
True.
What is the process of photosynthesis?
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.
What is the main purpose of pollinators in an ecosystem?
To facilitate the reproduction of flowering plants.
Define ‘ecosystem services’.
The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.
Multiple Choice: Which trophic level is primarily composed of herbivores? A) Primary producers B) Primary consumers C) Secondary consumers D) Tertiary consumers
B) Primary consumers.
What is the significance of genetic diversity?
It increases a population’s ability to adapt to changing environments.
What does ‘biomagnification’ refer to?
The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at each successive trophic level.
