Ecology exam questions Flashcards
what is biology
study of life
what is the primary source of energy for all living organisms?
sun
what term is used to describe the wide variety of organisms?
diversity
name two characteristics that organisms must exhibit if they are to be classified as living
highly organized and composed of cells
metabolism
chemical reactions that take place in cells
continuity
ability of an organism to exist from one generation to the next
name the characteristic necessary for the survival of a species
reproduction
ecology
the study of the interactions between living thins (organisms) and between organism and their environment
food chain
a sequence of organisms in which each one is eaten by the next member in the chain
edaphic factor
relate to soil: factors such as the soil pH, soil type and the moisture, air and mineral content of soil
quantitative survey
records the number of amounts that are present
omnivore
n animal or person that eats a variety of food of both plant and animal origin
contest competition
an active physical contest between two individual organisms
nitrogen fixation
the chemical processes by which atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated into organic compounds, especially by certain microorganisms as part of the nitrogen cycle
biosphere
that part of the planet containing living organisms
niche
of an organism is the functional role it plays in the community
symbiosis
occurs when two organisms of different species live in close association and at least one of them benefits
suggest one reason why dragonflies are such successful predators
Huge eyes
Give two benefits for dragonfly populations living near freshwater vegetation
Protection
Laying eggs
Suggest a benefit of the adult and the nymph having different food sources
Not in competition for same resource
What type of ecological relationship exists between birds and dragonflies?
Predator-prey
Suggest one possible effect on the dragonfly population of:
a disease affecting swallow Increases population
Suggest one reason why volunteers are being asked to identify dragonflies
Conservation
Suggest one reason why volunteers are being asked to identify dragonflies
Conservation
What might a volunteer use to help them identify a dragonfly
key
Outline the main events of the carbon cycle
Carbon enters the atmosphere as CO2. CO2 is absorbed by autotrophs such as green plants. Animals consume plants, thereby, incorporating carbon into their system. Animals and plants die, their bodies decompose and carbon is reabsorbed back into the atmosphere
Explain why the carbon cycle is critical to life on Earth
For Carbon to be reused by organisms
Explain the term ‘pollution’
any harmful addition to the enviroment
Give one example of waste management from agriculture or fisheries or forestry
landfill
Other than global warming or pollution, give two factors that can have an effect on human
population
war, famine
why do organisms need nitrogen?
to make protein
name processes that occur at A and B
A - nitrogen fixation
B - denitrification
name the type of bacteria involved in the process indicated by c in the diagram above
nitrifying bacteria
two possible outcomes of applications of fertilizers
more nitrification
more nitrogen absorbed in plants
give one limitation of the use of pyramids of numbers in ecology
does not take size of organisms in to account
one advantage of females giving birth in early summer and not in spring
more insects food for bats to feed offspring
name and explain one human activity that impacts on Irish bat populations
use of peticides
reduces bat population du to less roosting sites
name one the type of adaptation necessary for organisms to survive
compeitive
give two adaptations that bats possess
hibernate
sleep upside down
what is meant by conservation of species
management of organisms and their enviroment
what is the importance in nature of recycling elements such as carbon and nitrogen
to return elements to environment
name two types of bacteria that play a role in the nitrogen cycle
nitrogen-fixing and and nitrifying
predation
catching or hunting and killing and eating another organism
suggest why the mink has become a successful predator of the gulls
mink have suitable adaptation for catching gulls
why are omnivores advantageous to mink
they can benefit from both animal and plant matter as food
suggest a way in which the mink could cause a decline in the population of these gulls
introduce disease
suggest another impact on food chains in this ecosystem caused by the presence of mink on these islands
could lead to an overpopulation of the gulls prey
biotic factor
living factor
habitat
where an organism lives
community
all the ogranisms in an area
population
all the orgnaims of a particular species living in an area
qualitative survey
to establish the presence of organisms
explain why pyramids of number are usually restricted to three or four levels
due to large energy loss
the benefit of N2 changing to nitrates
plants can absorb nitrate
