Ecology

Question 1

Compare and contrast biotic and abiotic features. Include an example for each.

Answer 1

Biotic- living organisms - animals, plants

Abiotic- non-living organisms - rocks, water, dirt

Question 2

Autotrophs are also known as ________ and obtain their energy directly from the ___________________. They are at the ___________ of a food chain or energy pyramid. Heterotrophs are also known as ____________ and obtain their energy from ____________ or other _____________. They include __________ that eat ______, _____________ that eat plants and _____________ that eat both. _____________ break down dead and decaying matter.

Answer 2

Producers, environment/sun, bottom, consumers, producers/autotrophs, heterotrophs/consumers, carnivores, meat, herbivores, plants, omnivores, decomposers

Question 3

Draw an energy pyramid with 4 tropic levels and number the levels bottom-up. (Bottom level is 1)

Answer 3

4- third consumers (large birds)
3- secondary consumers (small birds)
2- primary consumers/herbivores (bugs)
1- producers/autotrophs (grass)

Question 4

Which level on the energy pyramid contains the primary consumers?

Answer 4

Second level

Question 5

Which level on the energy pyramid contains the autotrophs?

Answer 5

Level 1

Question 6

Which way does the energy flow on the energy pyramid? How would the biomass pyramid look different?

Answer 6

The energy flow is up. The biomass pyramid doesn’t look different

Question 7

One of the most important abiotic factors that affects relationships in a community is ________?

Answer 7

Sun/energy

Question 8

Two factors that increase population?

Answer 8

Immigration, birth

Question 9

What two factors decrease population?

Answer 9

emigration, death

Question 10

What is growth rate and carrying capacity?

Answer 10

Growth Rate- rate at which population grows.

Carrying Capacity- max amount of organisms and ecosystem can sustain

Question 11

Compare and contrast open and closed populations. Include an example for each.

Answer 11

Closed Population- lakes, islands

Open Population- oceans, continents

Question 12

What is competition? Give an example

Answer 12

2 species compete for a resource

Example
humans
& Salmon
bears

Question 13

what type of relationship involves two organisms that both get benefited? Give an example

Answer 13

Mutualism

Example
Human
&
Dog

Question 14

What is this an example of? A flea lives on a dog, feeding on its blood. It makes the dog itch. Explain what it is?

Answer 14

Parasitism

1 organism benefits the other is harmed

Question 15

What is predation? Give an example

Answer 15

1 organism kills another for food

predator and prey

Example
wolves eat caribou

Question 16

What type of relationship is where one organism benefits and the other isn’t affected? Give an example

Answer 16

commensalism

Example
tortuous
&
hawk

Question 17

What are invasive species and how do they impact the ecosystem?

Answer 17

non-native species that takes over

they mostly impact the ecosystem negatively

Question 18

What is primary and secondary succession what would cause these?

Answer 18

Primary- no community before (volcano, glacier)

Secondary- community before got destroyed (forest fires, flood, logging)

Question 19

List the following terms in order of when they first appear. Seral Stages, Climax Community, Pioneer Community. Describe each

Answer 19

Pioneer- 1st organism
Seral- In between developing
Climax- at carrying capacity, final stable community

Question 20

Which nutrient cycle…….
does not have a gaseous phase?
are bacteria important for processes other than decomp?

Answer 20

phosphorous

nitrogen

Question 21

list and describe the different processes of the water cycle

Answer 21

Evaporation- water from lakes, oceans, etc.. goes back into atmosphere
Transpiration- water from plants goes back into atmosphere
Condensation- making of clouds
Precipitation- rain, snow, sleet, etc…

Question 22

where is the largest reservoir of nitrogen located?

Answer 22

atmosphere in the form of N2 gas

Question 23

how do plants acquire nitrogen?

Answer 23

through their roots

Question 24

how do animals acquire their usable nitrogen?

Answer 24

they eat it from plants

Question 25

Put the following in order from least to most complex- organism, ecosystem, population, biosphere, community. Know the difference between them

Answer 25

Organism- 1 frog
Population- 2+ frogs
Community- population of frogs, bugs, flowers
Ecosystem- biotic, abiotic
Biosphere- Earth