Populations

Question 1

Define ecology

Answer 1

The study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment.

Question 2

Define ecosystem

Answer 2

A balanced biological system where all the organisms (community) and the non-living components interact in a particular location. There is energy flow and nutrient cycling within the ecosystem.

Question 3

Define community

Answer 3

Interacting populations of two or more species in the same habitat at the same time.

Question 4

Define habitat

Answer 4

The place where an organism lives.

Question 5

Define population

Answer 5

A group of organisms of a single species, interbreeding and occupying a particular habitat.

Question 6

Define environment

Answer 6

The factors in a habitat which affect an organism - both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic).

Question 7

Define niche

Answer 7

The role and position of an organism within its environment, including all interaction with the biotic and abiotic factors of its environment.

Question 8

When will population size increase? (equation)

Answer 8

reproduction + immigration are greater than deaths + emigration.

Question 9

List the four stages of a population growth curve

Answer 9

Lag, log/exponential, stationary, death/decline

Question 10

What is carrying capacity?

Answer 10

The maximum number of individuals a habitat/environment can sustain

Question 11

What causes the lag phase in a bacterial fermenter?

Answer 11

Enzymes are being synthesised

Question 12

What could cause the death phase in a bacterial fermenter?

Answer 12

Accumulation of toxic waste, or resources run out (glucose or O2)

Question 13

Define a density dependent factor

Answer 13

A factor that affects population size and is affected by population size

Question 14

Define a density independent factor

Answer 14

A factor that affects population size and is not affected by population size

Question 15

What is the ultimate source of energy for most ecosystems?

Answer 15

The sun

Question 16

What is the difference between inter and intraspecific competition?

Answer 16

Inter is between species, intra is within one species

Question 17

Why is photosynthetic efficiency not 100?

Answer 17

Sunlight misses the leaves, is transmitted, is reflected, is the wrong wavelength, is not absorbed by the chloroplasts.

Question 18

Give the assumptions made during capture mark recapture (Lincoln Index)

Answer 18

No migration, birth or death, marked individuals distribute themselves evenly, the marking does not increase likelihood of death from predators and is not toxic

Question 19

Define GPP

Answer 19

Gross Primary Productivity is is the rate of production of chemical energy in organic molecules by photosynthesis in a given area. The unit is kJ m-2 year-1

Question 20

Define NPP

Answer 20

NPP (kJ m-2) = GPP - energy used by plants in respiration. This is the energy available to primary consumers

Question 21

Why is energy lost between trophic levels?

Answer 21

Some tissues are not eaten or are indigestible (egested), energy is lost in respiration and excretory products

Question 22

Why are carnivores more efficient than herbivores?

Answer 22

Meat contains protein and fat, which are easier to digest than plant material

Question 23

How do you calculate the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels?

Answer 23

Energy in biomass after transfer/energy available before transfer x 100

Question 24

Define primary succession

Answer 24

Succession in a habitat that has never before been colonised. Bare rock- no soil/seeds/humus present

Question 25

Define secondary succession

Answer 25

The reintroduction of organisms into an area that was previously colonised. Soil, seeds and humus are already present

Question 26

The first plants to grow in a new habitat during succession are called?

Answer 26

Pioneer species

Question 27

What are the stages in succession called?

Answer 27

Seral stages/seres

Question 28

What is the climax community?

Answer 28

The final stable collection of plants and animals that succession produces. Equilibrium has been reached

Question 29

List the five key processes by which carbon moves through the carbon cycle

Answer 29

Photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, decomposition, fossilisation

Question 30

What is a carbon footprint?

Answer 30

The equivalent amount of CO2 generated by an individual a product or a service in a year.

Question 31

What do plants need nitrogen for?

Answer 31

Synthesising amino acids, nucleic acids and chlorophyll

Question 32

Give two forms of nitrogen that plants can take up

Answer 32

NO3- NO2- NH4+(nitrate, nitrite, ammonium)

Question 33

Name the process that converts atmospheric nitrogen to ammonium or nitrate

Answer 33

Nitrogen fixation

Question 34

What process can fix atmospheric nitrogen to form nitrate?

Answer 34

Lightning

Question 35

Name the two bacteria that perform nitrogen fixation

Answer 35

Azotobacter (free living) Rhizobium (root nodules of legumes)

Question 36

Name the process that converts ammonium to nitrate

Answer 36

Nitrification

Question 37

Which bacterium converts ammonium to nitrite?

Answer 37

Nitrosomonas

Question 38

Which bacterium converts nitrite to nitrate?

Answer 38

Nitrobacter

Question 39

Name the process that returns nitrate to atmospheric nitrogen

Answer 39

Denitrification

Question 40

Which bacterium performs denitrification and where is it found?

Answer 40

Pseudomonas and waterlogged soil/anaerobic conditions

Question 41

List the steps in eutrophication

Answer 41

Leaching of fertilisers into water, algal bloom, plants/algae die, bacteria decompose them and use up O2, animals die

Question 42

What is the effect of ploughing on soil?

Answer 42

Ploughing aerates the soil, increasing nitrification and decreasing denitrification