Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology?
The study of interactions between living organisms and their environment.
True or False: Ecosystems only include living organisms.
False
Fill in the blank: An organism’s role in its environment is called its _____ .
niche
What are the two main components of an ecosystem?
Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
Which of the following is a biotic factor? A) Water B) Sunlight C) Plants D) Soil
C) Plants
What is a food chain?
A linear sequence that shows how energy is transferred from one organism to another.
True or False: Decomposers break down dead organic material.
True
What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?
The sun
Fill in the blank: A _____ is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area.
population
What is biodiversity?
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Which type of biome is characterized by very low temperatures and permafrost?
Tundra
What is the term for a species that has a large impact on its environment?
Keystone species
True or False: Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems.
True
What is an ecosystem service?
The benefits that humans receive from ecosystems.
Which of the following is an example of a carnivore? A) Cow B) Lion C) Rabbit D) Grass
B) Lion
Fill in the blank: The _____ cycle describes the movement of water through the environment.
water
What is a habitat?
The natural environment where an organism lives.
True or False: All ecosystems are self-sustaining.
False
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food web is a complex network of food chains within an ecosystem.
Fill in the blank: _____ producers are organisms that can make their own food, typically through photosynthesis.
Primary
What is an example of an abiotic factor?
Temperature
What do we call the maximum population size that an environment can sustain?
Carrying capacity
True or False: All organisms in an ecosystem are interdependent.
True
What role do producers play in an ecosystem?
They convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
