Ecology

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

All the organisms living in a habitat and the non-living parts of the habitat

Question 2

What is an individual?

Answer 2

A single member of a species

Question 3

What is a population?

Answer 3

Individuals of the same species in the same area @ the same time

Question 4

What is a community?

Answer 4

Multiple populations living and interacting in the same area

Question 5

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 5

Interaction between a community and the non-living parts of an environment

Question 6

What is intraspecific competition?

Answer 6

Competition between members of the same species

Question 7

What is interspecific competition?

Answer 7

Competition between members of different species

Question 8

Why does competition occur?

Answer 8

A group of organisms may need the same resource (with a limited amount available) in order to survive so they are competing for the resource

Question 9

What may plants compete for?

Answer 9

• light
  -space
• water
• mineral ions

Question 10

Why may plants fight for light?

Answer 10

It is required for photosynthesis to produce energy

Question 11

Why may plants compete for space?

Answer 11

So that leaves can absorb maximum sunlight (above soil)
And so that roots can absorb water and minerals (below soil)

Question 12

Why may plants compete for water?

Answer 12

It’s essential for photosynthesis and plant growth

Question 13

Why may plants compete for mineral ions?

Answer 13

Plants require many mineral ions which are found in the soil

Question 14

What may animals compete for?

Answer 14

• food
• mates
• territory

Question 15

Why may animals compete for food?

Answer 15

It provides energy needed for growth and reproduction

Question 16

Why may animals compete for mates?

Answer 16

They are required for reproduction and passing on their genes

Question 17

Why may animals compete for territory?

Answer 17

They want an area that provides resources like water, food, shelter and mates

Question 18

What is interdependence?

Answer 18

In a community each species depends on another for food, shelter, pollination etc.

One species being removed can affect the whole community

Question 19

What is a stable community?

Answer 19

All of the species + environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant

Question 20

How does temperature effect distribution of species in an ecosystem?

Answer 20

Organisms are adapted to survive within a certain temperature range. As the temps ride, the distribution of species changes

Question 21

How does the availability of water effect the distribution of species within an ecosystem?

Answer 21

All organisms require water to survive either directly or indirectly. If no water in an area, organisms will move

Question 22

How does the composition of atmospheric gases affect the distribution of species within an ecosystem?

Answer 22

Oxygen is required for aerobic respiration
Some aquatic animals can only survive in water with high oxygen concentration
Some species are very sensitive to air pollution

Question 23

Biodiversity

Answer 23

The variety of different species of organisms on Earth

Question 24

What does high biodiversity ensure…

Answer 24

The stability of ecosystems as there are more food sources

Question 25

What human activities reduce biodiversity?

Answer 25

• producing waste (toxic chemicals in soil)
• deforestation (destroying habitats that contain high biodiversity)
• global warming (disruption of ecosystems, more frequent extreme weather events)

Question 26

Ways of maintaining biodiversity:

Answer 26

• breeding programmes for endangered animals
• protection + regeneration of rare habitats
• recycling resources instead of dumping
• reduction of deforestation

Question 27

What is a producer?

Answer 27

An organism that makes its own food

Question 28

What are primary consumers?

Answer 28

Organisms that eat the producers

Question 29

What are secondary consumers?

Answer 29

Organisms that eat the primary consumers

Question 30

What are the tertiary consumers?

Answer 30

Organisms that eat the secondary consumers

Question 31

What is decomposition?

Answer 31

When dead material from dead organisms or their waste products is broken down by decomposers