Ecology

Question 1

What is a species?

Answer 1

A group of organisms that can breed together to produce fertile offspring.

Question 2

What is a habitat?

Answer 2

The natural environment where an organism lives.

Question 3

What is a population?

Answer 3

A group of individuals from the same species living in a habitat.

Question 4

What is a community?

Answer 4

Multiple populations of different species living and interacting in the same habitat.

Question 5

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 5

The interaction of a community with the abiotic (non-living) environment.

Question 6

What is interdependence?

Answer 6

The way organisms depend on each other for food, shelter, pollination, etc.

Question 7

What happens if one species is removed from a stable community?

Answer 7

It disrupts interdependence, affecting predator and prey populations.

Question 8

What is an abiotic factor?

Answer 8

A non-living environmental factor affecting organisms.

Question 9

Give three examples of abiotic factors.

Answer 9

Light intensity, temperature, water availability.

Question 10

What is a biotic factor?

Answer 10

A living factor affecting a community.

Question 11

Give three examples of biotic factors.

Answer 11

Competition, new predators, food availability.

Question 12

What are the three types of adaptations?

Answer 12

Structural, behavioural, functional.

Question 13

Give an example of a structural adaptation.

Answer 13

Polar bears have thick fur to retain heat in cold environments.

Question 14

Give an example of a behavioural adaptation.

Answer 14

Birds migrate to warmer climates during winter.

Question 15

Give an example of a functional adaptation.

Answer 15

Desert animals produce very little sweat to conserve water.

Question 16

What are extremophiles?

Answer 16

Organisms adapted to extreme environments (e.g., high pressure, temperature, salt).

Question 17

What is a producer?

Answer 17

An organism that makes its own food (e.g., plants, algae).

Question 18

What is a primary consumer?

Answer 18

A herbivore that eats producers.

Question 19

What is a secondary consumer?

Answer 19

A carnivore that eats herbivores.

Question 20

What is an apex predator?

Answer 20

A top predator with no natural enemies.

Question 21

What is the role of decomposers?

Answer 21

Break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.

Question 22

How do decomposers break down materials?

Answer 22

They secrete enzymes that break down matter, which is then absorbed.

Question 23

How is carbon removed from the atmosphere?

Answer 23

Photosynthesis by plants.

Question 24

How is carbon returned to the atmosphere?

Answer 24

Respiration, combustion, decomposition.

Question 25

What are the stages of the water cycle?

Answer 25

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation.

Question 26

How does transpiration contribute to the water cycle?

Answer 26

Plants lose water from leaves, which evaporates into the atmosphere.

Question 27

What are the three factors affecting decomposition?

Answer 27

Temperature, water availability, oxygen levels.

Question 28

Why does decomposition slow down in very hot conditions?

Answer 28

Enzymes denature, stopping microbial activity.

Question 29

Why do decomposers need oxygen?

Answer 29

They respire aerobically, which speeds up decay.

Question 30

How is methane produced from decomposition?

Answer 30

Anaerobic respiration of microorganisms.

Question 31

What is biodiversity?

Answer 31

The variety of species in an ecosystem.

Question 32

Why is high biodiversity important?

Answer 32

It makes ecosystems more stable and less vulnerable to changes.

Question 33

How does deforestation affect biodiversity?

Answer 33

Destroys habitats, reducing the number of species.

Question 34

How does pollution reduce biodiversity?

Answer 34

Toxic waste, sewage, and air pollution kill plants and animals.

Question 35

What are peat bogs, and why are they important?

Answer 35

Peat bogs store carbon and are habitats for unique wildlife.

Question 36

Why is the destruction of peat bogs a problem?

Answer 36

Releases CO₂, contributing to global warming.

Question 37

What is causing global warming?

Answer 37

The increase in greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane).

Question 38

What are three consequences of global warming?

Answer 38

Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, species extinction.

Question 39

How does global warming affect migration patterns?

Answer 39

Species move to new areas due to temperature and habitat changes.

Question 40

Give three ways to protect biodiversity.

Answer 40

Breeding programs, habitat protection, recycling waste.

Question 41

Why are breeding programs important?

Answer 41

Prevent endangered species from going extinct.

Question 42

How does reducing deforestation help biodiversity?

Answer 42

Prevents habitat loss and reduces CO₂ levels.

Question 43

How does recycling help the environment?

Answer 43

Reduces landfill waste and conserves natural resources.

Question 44

What is a trophic level?

Answer 44

A step in a food chain representing energy flow.

Question 45

Why does biomass decrease at each trophic level?

Answer 45

Energy is lost as heat, movement, respiration, and waste.

Question 46

What percentage of energy is transferred between trophic levels?

Answer 46

About 10%.

Question 47

What is the efficiency equation for biomass transfer?

Answer 47

Efficiency = (Biomass transferred / Biomass available) × 100

Question 48

What is food security?

Answer 48

Ensuring enough food is available for a growing population.

Question 49

Give three threats to food security.

Answer 49

Climate change, increasing population, new pests and diseases.

Question 50

How can farming be made more efficient?

Answer 50

Reducing energy loss by keeping animals in warm, confined spaces.

Question 51

Why is intensive farming controversial?

Answer 51

Animal welfare concerns and increased risk of disease spread.

Question 52

How do fishing quotas help conserve fish stocks?

Answer 52

Limit the number of fish caught to prevent overfishing.

Question 53

How does increasing net size help fish conservation?

Answer 53

Allows young fish to escape and reach breeding age.