Unit 1-Ecology

Question 0

Name the six steps of the Scientific Method.

Answer 0

1. Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.
2. Make observations and research your topic of interest.
3. Predict a possible answer to your question. This is a hypothesis.
4. Develop and follow a procedure. The outcome must be quantifiable.
5. Collect and analyze any and all results.
6. Come to a conclusion that either accepts or rejects the hypothesis. Make recommendations for improvements.

Question 1

What is the Scientific Method?

Answer 1

A series of steps used to investigate a natural occurance.

Question 2

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 2

A possible answer to a question as to the outcome of an experiment.

Question 3

When following the Scientific Method, does the outcome of your experiment have to be quantifiable?

Answer 3

Yes.

Question 4

What is Ecology?

Answer 4

Ecology is the study of the ecosystems and everything in them.

Question 5

What type of organisms can make their own food?

Answer 5

Autotrophs can make their own food.

Question 6

Name and describe all levels of organization from largest to smallest.

Answer 6

Biosphere–the area of the world that supports life.
Biome–an area whose type is determined by its climate and classified by the organisms that live there.
Ecosystem–all the biotic (living) and the abiotic (non-living) factors in an area.
Community–a group of different but interacting organisms that are living in the same ecosystem at the same time.
Population–a group of the same type of organisms that live in the same ecosystem at the same time.
Organism–one individual.

Question 7

What is the biosphere?

Answer 7

The area of the world that can support life.

Question 8

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 8

All the biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors in an area

Question 9

Define

1) abiotic

2) biotic

Answer 9

1) abiotic–nonliving

2) biotic–living

Question 10

What is the purpose of detritivores (decomposers)?

Answer 10

To recycle nutrients by breaking down waste and dead matter. Examples include bacteria, fungi, and worms.

Question 11

What are abiotic (nonliving) factors?

Answer 11

Nonliving things that effect the ecosystem. Examples include rain, temperature, sunlight, fire, water, etc

Question 12

On what scale is energy in food measured?

Answer 12

Either in calories or kilocalories. Kilocalories are used by humans.

Question 13

Why are decomposers vital to the biosphere?

Answer 13

Because they retrieve the last of the energy from dead organisms and they recycle nutrients.

Question 14

True or false: energy can be recycled.

Answer 14

False. Nutrients can be recycled, but once energy is gone, it’s gone.

Question 15

How much energy “slips through the cracks” at each trophic level?

Answer 15

90%. 10% is passed on to the next trophic level.

Question 16

What is the driving force behind the water cycle?

Answer 16

The sun

Question 17

What is evaporation?

Answer 17

When plants, lakes, or streams lose moisture to the air

Question 18

What is condensation?

Answer 18

When water vapor in the atmosphere turns to a liquid state

Question 19

What is precipitation?

Answer 19

Water that falls to the ground as rain, sleet, hail, or snow

Question 20

What is runoff?

Answer 20

Water moving across the earth’s surface

Question 21

What powers the carbon cycle?

Answer 21

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration

Question 22

List the steps of the carbon cycle in order.

Answer 22

1) plants take in carbon dioxide, make glucose, and release oxygen
2) animals take in oxygen and release CO2

Question 23

What kinds of bacteria are involved with the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 23

Nitrogen fixing bacteria
Dentrifying bacteria
Amonifying bacteria
Nitrifying bacteria

Question 24

What percentage of our air supply does nitrogen make up?

Answer 24

78%

Question 25

What causes populations to increase or decrease?

Answer 25

Birth and immigration