Topic 1

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment

Question 2

Ecology is derived from ..

Answer 2

oikos- greek meaning of home

Question 3

Organism

Answer 3

a living thing

Question 4

Environment

Answer 4

all factors outside the organism that influence it

Question 5

Factors affecting the environment can be either

Answer 5

abiotic (physical, and chemical) or biotic (other organisms)

Question 6

Goal for this course

Answer 6

how do abiotic and biotic factors influence the distribution and abundance of organisms

Question 7

We are mostly interested in the processes of..

Answer 7

birth, death and migration

Question 8

Two classes of explanation

Answer 8

• proximal

- ultimate

Question 9

Proximal explanation

Answer 9

patterns explained by the present environment

Question 10

Ultimate explanation

Answer 10

patterns explained by the past environment

Question 11

Hypothesis

Answer 11

predication that can be tested

Question 12

Individuals

Answer 12

most basic level are individual organisms

Question 13

Populations

Answer 13

members of the same species form populations within a location

Question 14

Community

Answer 14

populations of different species interact among themselves to form a community