Ecology

Question 1

age structure

Answer 1

the distribution of ages of individuals within a population

Question 2

biomass pyramid

Answer 2

is an expression of the movement of energy through the trophic levels

Question 3

biome

Answer 3

biome is a large geographic region and the distribution of plants and animals within it; biomes are heavily dependent upon the combination of geography and climate

Question 4

biogeochemistry

Answer 4

the study nutrient movement through both the biological and geological layers of the ecosystem

Question 5

biotic

Answer 5

plants, microbes, animals and organic matter are the biotic location of nutrients

Question 6

carrying capacity

Answer 6

the maximum number of individuals sustained in a given habitat without degrading it or causing stress resulting in population reduction; the point where population size levels off in the logistic growth model

Question 7

climax community

Answer 7

a well-established, self-sustaining community of species living in the absence of climate or land changes

Question 8

coevolution

Answer 8

two or more species evolve at the same time, often competing against each other

Question 9

commensalism

Answer 9

a relationship between two organisms in which one benefits while the other is not affected much

Question 10

ecological succession

Answer 10

constant, observable processes of change and restructuring in an ecosystem as it moves towards stability as a climax community

Question 11

food chain

Answer 11

a series of occurrences in which one organism eats another organism and obtains energy

Question 12

interspecific competition

Answer 12

competition between different species

Question 13

intraspecific competition

Answer 13

competition among members of the same species

Question 14

niche

Answer 14

an species’ status within its environment and community, which affects its survival

Question 15

parasitic relationship

Answer 15

a relationship between two organisms in which one benefits and the other is harmed

Question 16

photophosphorylation

Answer 16

the light-dependent reaction that is the first stage of the photosynthetic system

Question 17

primary consumers

Answer 17

herbivores that feed on the producers

Question 18

primary succession

Answer 18

occurs in places previously unoccupied by vegetation

Question 19

secondary consumers

Answer 19

carnivores eat other consumers; humans are among the top consumers eating diverse diets including producers and other consumers

Question 20

secondary succession

Answer 20

occurs as the re-establishment of viable, stable communities following deforestation, abandonment of agricultural sites, and flooding or hurricane conditions

Question 21

symbiotic relationship

Answer 21

one between two living organisms living together for the benefit of both

Question 22

trophic level

Answer 22

each level of consumption in the food chain