The real ecology quiz review Flashcards
Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle)
This cycle describes the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere. It includes processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff.
Carbon Cycle
This cycle involves the movement of carbon through the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Key processes include photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion of fossil fuels.
Nitrogen Cycle
This cycle describes the transformation of nitrogen and its compounds in the environment. It includes processes like nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.
Phosphorus Cycle
This cycle outlines the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Unlike other cycles, phosphorus does not have a significant gaseous phase; it mainly cycles through soil, water, and living organisms through processes like weathering, absorption by plants, and decomposition.
Sulfur Cycle
This cycle describes the movement of sulfur through the environment, including the atmosphere, rocks, and living organisms. Processes involved include the release of sulfur dioxide from volcanic eruptions, sulfur oxidation and reduction, and incorporation into organic compounds.
Oxygen Cycle
This cycle involves the movement of oxygen through the atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Key processes include photosynthesis (where plants produce oxygen) and respiration (where organisms consume oxygen).
Define abiotic factor and biotic factor
Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., temperature, water). Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals).
List the levels of ecology from smallest to largest
Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biome, Biosphere.
Differentiate between a population, a community, and an ecosystem
Population: group of the same species in an area; Community: all living organisms in an area; Ecosystem: living and non-living components in an area.
What is another name for primary producers?
Autotrophs
Give three examples of organisms that are primary producers
Plants, algae, some bacteria.
What two processes can producers use to convert energy?
Photosynthesis (solar energy) and chemosynthesis (chemical energy).
What is another name for a consumer?
Heterotrophs
List the categories that classify consumers
Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores, Detritivores, Decomposers.
Can a consumer fit into more than one category?
Yes, for example, bears are omnivores (eat plants and animals).
Make a food chain with at least 4 organisms
Grass -> Rabbit -> Snake -> Hawk
Why is a food web a more accurate depiction of energy flow?
A food web shows multiple interconnected food chains, better representing the complexity of ecosystems.
Why are decomposers important?
They break down dead matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
What percentage of energy moves to the next trophic level?
Around 10%.
Where does the energy in most food webs originate?
The Sun.
What percentage of energy is lost between trophic levels, and in what form?
About 90%, lost as heat.
Define biomass
The total mass of living organisms in a given area.
What happens to biomass as you move up trophic levels?
It decreases due to energy loss.
What does a pyramid of numbers show?
The number of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain.
Energy flows through ecosystems, but what does matter do?
Matter cycles through ecosystems.
What four types of processes contribute to matter cycles?
Biological, geological, chemical, and human processes.
Choose one human activity that affects the water cycle
Deforestation can reduce transpiration and increase runoff, leading to erosion.
Name two processes that add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
Respiration and combustion.
Name two processes that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Photosynthesis and ocean absorption.
How are humans contributing extra carbon dioxide?
Burning fossil fuels, deforestation.
What is the effect of extra CO2 on Earth’s climate?
Increases global temperatures (greenhouse effect).
What does it mean for nitrogen and phosphorus to be limiting nutrients?
These are essential nutrients that limit growth when in short supply.
What happens if too much limiting nutrient enters an aquatic ecosystem?
It can lead to algal blooms, which deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life.
