Ecology

Question 1

Define Species

Answer 1

A group of organisms that share similar characteristics that can produce fertile offspring

Question 2

Define Population

Answer 2

Group of organisms of the same species that live in a particular area at a particular time

Question 3

Define Community

Answer 3

Group of different species that live in a particular area

Question 4

Define Environment

Answer 4

Consists of the surroundings and so includes biotic and abiotic components

Question 5

Define Ecosystem

Answer 5

Comprises of all the populations living in that area including the abiotic factors

Question 6

Define Biosphere

Answer 6

The parts of the Earth that is able to support life

Question 7

Define Atmosphere

Answer 7

The thin layer of gasses that surrounds the earth consists of 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen and other gasses. Transference of solar energy to different earth systems via conduction convection and radiation account for different forms of life.

Question 8

Define Hydrosphere

Answer 8

Represents the areas on earth that consists of water such as rivers lakes

Question 9

Define Lithosphere

Answer 9

The outermost layer of the earth

Question 10

Define Habitat

Answer 10

The region where an organism lives

Question 11

Define Niche

Answer 11

The role that an organism plays in the ecosystem

Question 12

Define Biome

Answer 12

These are types of ecosystems categorized by the climate and soil and vegetation

Question 13

Define Ecotone

Answer 13

The transitional region between 2 adjacent ecosystem

Question 14

Describe The Layers of the Atmosphere

Answer 14

The atmosphere contains 4 layers the Troposphere, The Stratosphere(contains ozone layer), The Mesosphere and the Thermosphere and The fifth the exosphere

Question 15

Describe Fundamental Niche

Answer 15

The role of organisms within an environment of favorable conditions that are determined by biotic and abiotic variables allowing a species to survive and successfully reproduce

Question 16

Describe Reaslised Niche

Answer 16

A niche where a species must persist given the presence of competition for similar resources

Question 17

What are the 5 roles of nitrogen

Answer 17

It is an essential macronutrient that alows for proper plant function
It is a key component in amino acids
It is a component in chlorophyll
It is a component in energy transfer compounds such as ATP
It is a component in DNA

Question 18

What are the four stages of the nitrogen cycle and what takes place in them

Answer 18

Nitrogen Fixing- Nitrogen moves from the atmosphere into the soil. Lightning gives nitrogen gas in the atmosphere energy which reacts with the oxygen which produces nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide where then rain/snow allow it to enter the soil. Bacteria attached to the roots of plants then carry out nitrogen fixing

Nitrification- nitrite forming bacteria combines ammonia with oxygen to form nitrates

Denitrification- Denitrifying bacteria break down nitrates into nitrogen gas which is then put back inti the atmosphere

Ammonification- Organic material dies and nitrogen within them is absorbed by bacteria which then releases inorganic nitrogen back into the soil via respiration

Assimilation

Question 19

Species Richness

Answer 19

Measure of the number of species within a sample location(GERMAN SHEPHERDS)