Ecology Review [45-48] Flashcards
list the scientific method in order..
observation hypothesis prediction experiment results conclusion
list the classification groups of living organisms in order
kingdom phylum class order family genus species
what is included in the scientific name?
genus+species=scientific name
What is exponential population growth and what kind of graph would you expect to see? What happens when a population reaches its carrying capacity?
Exponential population growth is unrestricted growth at a constant rate. It occurs in environments with plenty of resources and adequate waste removal. Exponential population growth has a J shaped graph. When the population reaches its carrying capacity, it would be a logistic growth which is population growth begins exponentially but slows down once reaches carrying capacity. In that case we would expect to see an S shaped growth curve.
What is the difference between producers, consumers, and decomposers? Which of these depend on sunlight?
Producers- support all other trophic levels, they are photo synthesizers
Consumers- use energy stored by producers
Decomposers- consume dead organic material for energy
Producers depend on direct sunlight for energy.
Compare and contrast primary and secondary succession.
Primary succession- no soil present, no previous organisms (glacier retreats, freshly cooled lava flow, freshly eroded rock)
Secondary succession- occurs when a disturbance moves towards climax state. Soil is present. (natural disasters such as forest fires, hurricane, tornado)
1 What does the pyramid of energy show about how energy is transferred?
Materials cycle between living and nonliving components, energy comes from the sun then is captured by plants and transferred from organism to organisms.
Define and give an example of the following relationships:
Mutualism: beneficial to both organisms involved (
Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is unaffected. Organisms which suck themselves onto sharks to get the food they need from the waste of the shark.
Parasitism: one specie benefits while the other is harmed (tape worm/ dogs)
Predator-Prey: up/ down one benefits the other is harmed (lynx and rabbit)
Competitive Exclusion: if two species compete for same resources the better one will force the other to local extinction (
Resource Partitioning: coexist with subdiving (adapt to eachother)
In the carbon cycle, how is carbon released into the atmosphere (several different ways)? What on our Earth helps remove all the carbon from the atmosphere?
Carbon is released into the atmosphere through the action of photoautotrophs such as plants and algae that use the energy of light to convert carbon dioxide into organic matter.
How do ocean currents affect biomes? What characteristics are a factor in classifying a biome?
Based on climax plant species, determined by climate (cloud cover, temp, humidity, wind speed and soil type. This affects biomes because in different regions there may not be what is needed. They all contribute to one another. Wind, currents which distribute heat or cold (climate) determines how the soil will be, which will affect plants.
What are the three ways biodiversity is decreasing? Explain each of these and rank them in order of most damaging.
Habitat destruction, invasive species and overexploitation are the causes of biodiversity losses. Habitat destruction is humans alter habitats because of agriculture, urban development, forestry, environmental pollution, for space. Invasive species is intentional or accidental introduction of non native species to new location this is a threat because it causes competition between the native specie and the new, prey on native species and parasitize native species, Organisms suffer consequences. Lastly overexploitation; overfishing, hunting, overharvesting are all examples. Taking too many, who take a long time to reproduce.
Why has the human population had such drastic growth since the year 1400? (Give at least 3 possible reasons)
Advances in hygiene and medicine
Agriculture
Availability
Diseases and medicines were controlled and understood, agriculture allowed more production of food and availability of space for living, tools, food, weapons, etc.
What is biological magnification and how does it relate to the health warnings given to pregnant women about the consumption of certain fish?
Biological magnification is process where certain substances such as pesticides or heavy metals move up the food chain, work their way into rivers or lakes, and are eaten by aquatic organisms such as fish, which in turn are eaten by large birds, animals or humans.
This relates to health warning given to pregnant women because too much consumption of certain fish will affect the immune systems.
What are greenhouse gases and what contributes to their accumulation in the atmosphere? What do they do to our planet that is so damaging?
Gas in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing radiation, which then trap and hold heat in the atmosphere. By increasing the heat in the atmosphere greenhouse gases are responsible for the greenhouse effect which leads to global warming
