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Ecology Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Define the term niche.

A

The functional role of an organism

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2
Q

Define the term biotic factor.

A

A living factor in an ecosystem.

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3
Q

What do you understand under trophic level?

A

Feeding level in a food chain.

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4
Q

What is competition?

A

The struggle for a resource

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5
Q

What is symbiosis?

A

Relationship between two species involving benefit.

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6
Q

What is pollution?

A

Any harmful addition to the environment.

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7
Q

What is the role of microorganisms in pollution control?

A

Decomposition

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8
Q

State the role of plants in the nitrogen cycle.

A

Absorb nitrates from the soil and use nitrogen to form proteins.

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9
Q

State the role of animals in the nitrogen cycle.

A

Eat plants and use the nitrogen to form animal proteins.

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10
Q

State the role of plants in the CARBON CYCLE.

A

Remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in photosynthesis and return it in respiration

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11
Q

State the role of animals in the CARBON CYCLE.

A

Obtain carbon by eating plants and release it in respiration.

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12
Q

Where in the food chain are primary producers found?

A

Start of the food chain.

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13
Q

What term is used to describe organisms that feed on primary producers?

A

Primary consumers

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14
Q

Why are most food chains short?

A

So much energy lost at each step

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15
Q

What deduction may be made if the organism at the start of the chain are less numerous than those that feed upon them ?

A

May be deduced that the organisms at the start are much larger , e.g an oak tree

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16
Q

Can a parasite be first member of a food chain?

A

No , must have a host.

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17
Q

Energy enters food chains in the form of light. In which form do you think mostenergy is lost from food chains?

A

Most energy is lost from food chains in the form of heat.

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18
Q

Explain the term habitat.

A

A place where an organism lives

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19
Q

Explain the term ecosystem.

A

An ecosystem is a number of clearly distinguished organisms interacting with each other and their environment as a system or unit.

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20
Q

What is an ECTOPARASITE?

A

parasite living externally on their prey.

21
Q

Outline two biological similarities between the nitrogen cycle and the carbon cycle.

A

Decay by microorganisms

Photosynthesis in carbon cycle and nitrogen fixing in nitrogen cycle which provides food for animals

22
Q

Suggest why continual monitoring of the environment is valuble.

A

Can show trends, i.e. Increasing levels of CO2 that may not seem significant.

23
Q

Explain the term contest competition.

A

Two organisms physically fight for resource and one gets all - one winner

24
Q

Explain the term scramble competition.

A

Organisms competing for a resource- all receive a piece of it.

25
Q

What does the term EPAPHIC mean?

A

Anything to do with soil.

26
Q

What is ment by the term aquatic.

A

Anything to do with water.

27
Q

Distinguish between a food chain and a food web.

A

Food chain: sequence of organisms in which each one is eaten by the next in sequence. Most times begin with a producer : dandelion- slug - trush
FOOD WEB: two or more interlinked food chains.

28
Q

What do ecologists mean by a pyramid of numbers?

A

A pyramid of numbers represents the number of organisms at each stage in a food chain.

29
Q

Explain the term Flora.

A

Are the plant species that are present in the habitat.

30
Q

Explain the term Fauna.

A

Are the animal species that are present in the habitat.

31
Q

Name a factor, other than competition, that controls wild populations.

A

Predation.

32
Q

Distinguish between qualitative and quantative surveys.

A

QUALITATIVE: means looking at which plant and animals species are present
QUANTITATIVE: means calculating how many of each species is present.

33
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

A group of clearly distinguishable organisms that interact as a unit.

34
Q

Where are primary producers found in a pyramid of numbers?

A

At the bottom.

35
Q

Construct a simple inverted pyramid of numbers.

A

Oaktree - Aphid - Ladybird

36
Q

Suggest ways how oxygen enters the water.

A

By aquatic plants photosynthesing

From atmosphere when water is flowing

37
Q

Foodchains are usually short, why?

A

There is a big loss in energy at each stage of the food chain

38
Q

Why do herbivores in an ecosystem normally live long lives?

A

Herbivores have a relatively constant food supply.

39
Q

Define predation.

A

Predation is when one organism hunts and kills another for food.

40
Q

Give an example of predation by naming a predator and its prey.

A

Predator: fox

Prey : rabbit

41
Q

Name an anabolic process carried out by plants.

A

Photosynthesis

42
Q

Give an example of an edaphic factor.

A

Soil ph

43
Q

What does an ecologist mean by the term conservation.

A

The wise management of the earths resources

44
Q

Give an outline of one conservation practice used in fisheries.

A

In fishing, mesh size of nets is controlled to ensure that small fish are not removed along with larger, mature fish.
In this way, the smaller fish are allowed to mature and reproduce, ensuring the population survives.

45
Q

What is the function of the nitrogen cycle?

A

To make nitrogen available for use by organisms.

46
Q

Explain what is meant by nitrogen fixation.

A

Nitrogen gas converted to a nitrogen compound e.g. Nitrates.

47
Q

What is nitrification?

A

Amonia is converted to nitrates.

48
Q

Define the term biosphere.

A

Parts of earth where organisms exist

Biology (29 decks)

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