Ecology and The Biosphere

Question 1

Organismal Ecology

Answer 1

The study of a single organism.

Question 2

Population Ecology

Answer 2

The study of a group of same species interbreeding organisms living in the same area at the same time.

Question 3

Community Ecology

Answer 3

The study of all the plant and animal species in a given area.

Question 4

Ecosystem Ecology

Answer 4

The study of all of the biotic and abiotic factors in a specific habitat.

Question 5

The Biosphere

Answer 5

Encompasses all the ecosystems on earth.

Question 6

Conspecifics

Answer 6

Organisms that are all members of the same species.

Question 7

Heterospecifics

Answer 7

Organisms that are members of different species.

Question 8

Mutualism

Answer 8

A relationship between two species where each species benefits.

Question 9

Biotic

Answer 9

All of the living things in an area.

Question 10

Abiotic

Answer 10

All of the non-living things in an area.

Question 11

Biomes

Answer 11

Large areas of land with similar climate, flora and fauna.

Question 12

Biogeography

Answer 12

The study of the geographic distribution of living things and the abiotic factors that affect their distribution.

Question 13

Endemic Species

Answer 13

A species that is naturally found only in a specific geographic area that is usually restricted in size.

Question 14

Generalist

Answer 14

Species that live in a wide variety of geographic areas.

Question 15

Ocean Upwelling

Answer 15

The rising of deep ocean waters that occurs when prevailing winds blow along surface waters near a coastline. Recycles nutrients contained in dead organisms and makes them available for use to living organisms.

Question 16

Spring and Fall turnover

Answer 16

The twice a year recycling of nutrients from the bottom of freshwater systems.

Question 17

Thermocline

Answer 17

Layers of water with temperatures that are significantly different from those above and below it.

Question 18

Migration

Answer 18

The regular movement to one place from another.

Question 19

What happens when an animal hibernates or estivates?

Answer 19

They enter a state known as Torpor which lowers their metabolic rate significantly.

Question 20

Net Primary Productivity

Answer 20

An estimation of all of the organic matter available as food; it is calculated as the total amount of carbon fixed per year minus the amount that is oxidized during cellular respiration.

Question 21

Epiphytes

Answer 21

Plants that grow on other plants; usually does not harm the other plant.

Question 22

Pelagic Zone(Realm)

Answer 22

All of the oceans open water.

Question 23

Benthic Zone(Realm)

Answer 23

Extends along the ocean bottom from the shoreline to the deepest parts of the ocean floor.

Question 24

Photic Zone

Answer 24

Within the Pelagic Zone, includes the portion of ocean that light can penetrate. Approx. 200 m(650 ft.).

Question 25

Aphotic Zone

Answer 25

The portion of ocean that light cannot penetrate. Depths greater than 200 m.

Question 26

Neritic Zone

Answer 26

The relatively shallow part of the ocean above the drop-off of the continental shelf, approximately 200 meters (660 ft) in depth.

Question 27

Littoral Zone

Answer 27

The near shore area where sunlight penetrates all the way to the sediment and allows aquatic plants (macrophytes) to grow.

Question 28

Abyssal Zone

Answer 28

The deepest part of the ocean at depths of 4000 m or greater.

Question 29

Estuaries

Answer 29

Biomes that occur where a source of freshwater meets the ocean.

Question 30

Climate

Answer 30

The long term, predictable atmospheric conditions of a specific area.