Ecology study guide_CP2_2023_KEY

Question 1

What is ecology?

Answer 1

Study of the interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their environment

Question 2

Define “biotic” and “abiotic” and give an example of each.

Answer 2

Biotic - Living - Trees, algae, bugs, birds, lions
Abiotic - Nonliving - Temperature, rocks, sunlight, wind

Question 3

List the levels of ecological organization from smallest to largest.

Answer 3

Individual → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biome → Biosphere

Question 4

The main source of energy on earth is the …

Answer 4

sun

Question 5

Explain the difference between a producer and a consumer.

Answer 5

Producers capture and use energy from the sun
Consumers rely on others for energy

Question 6

Another name for a producer is…

Answer 6

autotroph

Question 7

Another name for a consumer is…

Answer 7

heterotroph

Question 8

List 5 different categories (examples) of consumers.

Answer 8

Herbivore, Carnivore, Omnivore, Detritivore, Decomposer

Question 9

Explain the difference between a food chain and food web.

Answer 9

A food chain shows the transfer of energy between organisms in a one way path. A food web is much more complex as it connects all food chains together

Question 10

Each step in a food chain or food web is called a …

Answer 10

trophic level

Question 11

In ecological pyramids there is ____ energy at the bottom than at the top.

Answer 11

more

Question 12

What is the “law of conservation of matter” and what is the environmental consequence of this law?

Answer 12

Atoms cannot be created or destroyed
Environmental consequence: there is no such thing as “throwing something away”.

Question 13

The same carbon atoms are used repeatedly on earth. (Remember - they cannot be created or destroyed). They form a …

Answer 13

cycle

Question 14

What are three main biological processes involved in the carbon cycle? (remember bio = life, so “biological” is a process that happens in something living).

Answer 14

Photosynthesis, respiration, & decomposition

Question 15

Explain what happens to the “balanced carbon cycle” when humans burn fossil fuels.

Answer 15

When humans burn fossil fuels, it releases a HUGE amount of carbon (CO2) into the atmosphere over a very SHORT time period. Increased CO2 in atmosphere causes climate change.

Question 16

Which carbon molecule is responsible for causing climate change?

Answer 16

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Question 17

Which two factors will always cause populations to increase? Which two cause decrease?

Answer 17

Increase - Birth and Immigration
Decrease - Death and Emigration

Question 18

Define carrying capacity.

Answer 18

The largest number of organisms a given environment can support

Question 19

What is a limiting factor? Give 4 examples of limiting factors.

Answer 19

Limiting factors determine the carrying capacity of an ecosystem
Density dependent limiting factors - competition, predation/herbivory, parasitism & disease, stress from overcrowding
Density independent limiting factors - climate change, natural disasters, human impacts (CHIPO)

Question 20

What is competition? Give an example.

Answer 20

organisms attempt to use a resource in the same place at the same time

Question 21

Give an example to explain predation. Identify the predator and the prey.

Answer 21

A lion eats a gazelle. The lion is the predator and the gazelle is the prey.

Question 22

List and describe the 3 types of symbiosis and give an example of each

Answer 22

Symbiosis Name
Description
Example
Mutualism
Both species benefit (+,+)
Flower & Bee
Commensalism
One species benefits, other is unaffected (+,0)
Whale & Barnacles
Parasitism
One species benefits, other is harmed (+,-)
Tick & Human

Question 23

What is biodiversity?

Answer 23

Biodiversity is the total diversity of life in the biosphere.

Question 24

Why should we value biodiversity? What does it provide for us?

Answer 24

Biodiversity provides medicine and agriculture, and ecosystem goods and services

Question 25

What are the 5 major threats to biodiversity? Describe/explain each one.

Answer 25

Threat to Biodiversity
Description
Climate Change
Organisms are adapted to their environment and have specific tolerance ranges. If conditions change beyond tolerance organisms face extinction.
Habitat Destruction
Natural habitats being eliminated for agriculture or urban development
Introduced Species
Organisms introduced to new habitats can become invasive. Invasive species can outcompete native plants and threaten ecosystems.
Pollution
Plastics, pesticides, carbon dioxide, acid rain and other chemicals all threaten wildlife
Overconsumption
Overconsumption of wildlife products. Hunting can push species into extinction.