Biology 20: Ecology
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Questions and Answers

What type of organism is the ruby-throated hummingbird classified as?

  • Autotroph
  • Heterotroph (correct)
  • Photosynthetic organism
  • Producer

    • Which process do plants utilize to store energy in carbohydrates?

  • Photosynthesis (correct)
  • Cellular respiration
  • Digestion
  • Fermentation

    • Which of the following is NOT a type of organism that can be classified as a producer?

  • Ruby-throated hummingbird (correct)
  • Some bacteria
  • Algae
  • Plants

    • What is released during cellular respiration?

    <p>Energy from carbohydrates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes heterotrophs from autotrophs?

    <p>Heterotrophs consume other organisms; autotrophs produce their own food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average albedo of Earth?

    <p>30 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following organisms are primarily classified as primary consumers?

    <p>Herbivores</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the Sun's energy is absorbed by gases like water vapor and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

    <p>19 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process do chemosynthetic bacteria use to obtain energy?

    <p>Chemosynthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What byproduct is produced during the process of chemosynthesis?

    <p>Sulfuric acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

    <p>Transform waste into energy-rich molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth is utilized by producers for photosynthesis?

    <p>1-2 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the deep ocean, which organisms are common primary consumers?

    <p>Mussels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the source of energy for all producers on Earth?

    <p>Solar energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the ecosystem is NOT directly dependent on producers for energy?

    <p>Producers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the Sun’s radiant energy is reflected back into space?

    <p>30 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of consumers primarily eat other consumers?

    <p>Secondary consumers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are chemosynthetic producers likely to be found?

    <p>Deep-sea vents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does NOT typically describe herbivores?

    <p>Producers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do decomposers play in the biosphere?

    <p>They recycle organic and inorganic matter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why can't energy be recycled in the biosphere like matter?

    <p>Energy is always lost as heat during transformations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process do primary consumers primarily rely on for energy?

    <p>Consumption of autotrophs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the first trophic level in an ecosystem?

    <p>It provides the chemical energy for all other levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the second law of thermodynamics, what occurs during energy transformation?

    <p>Some energy is lost as unusable heat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of producers convert chemical energy from bonds into carbohydrate molecules?

    <p>Chemosynthetic producers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact can fertilizers applied to local green spaces have on distant waterways?

    <p>They can create aquatic dead zones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do decomposers primarily obtain their energy?

    <p>By consuming dead organic material</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of energy being transformed in ecosystems?

    <p>Energy available for useful work decreases with each transformation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do satellite data and computer modeling contribute to understanding the biosphere?

    <p>They aid in understanding biogeochemical interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major consequence of nutrient run-off in ecosystems?

    <p>Algal blooms followed by aquatic dead zones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the flow of energy in ecosystems?

    <p>Energy follows a one-way path.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the term 'trophic level'?

    <p>The roles of producers and consumers in energy transfer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do wetlands play in the ecosystem?

    <p>They help clean polluted water and provide ecosystem services.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors influence productivity in the biosphere?

    <p>Environmental factors such as sunlight and nutrient availability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an ecological system, which component consists of non-living things?

    <p>Physical environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

    <p>They are interrelated processes that support life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do primary consumers primarily consume?

    <p>Producers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which law explains that energy cannot be created or destroyed?

    <p>First law of thermodynamics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a pyramid of biomass illustrate in an ecosystem?

    <p>The amount of biomass at each trophic level</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might an ocean ecosystem have fewer producers than consumers?

    <p>Producers are consumed as quickly as they reproduce</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of ecological pyramid is always upright?

    <p>Pyramid of energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily impacted when the number of species decreases in an ecosystem?

    <p>The stability of feeding relationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept did Elton introduce to describe the interconnected feeding relationships in an ecosystem?

    <p>Food web</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

    <p>10 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical range of energy transfer efficiency from one trophic level to the next?

    <p>5% to 20%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a pyramid of numbers typically differ from a pyramid of biomass?

    <p>It represents the number of organisms rather than their weight.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why food chains are limited in length?

    <p>Energy transfer inefficiencies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about autotrophs is true?

    <p>They require matter to build cell structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines an ecological pyramid?

    <p>A model showing the distribution of energy and organisms at different trophic levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can ecologists expect biodiversity's impact on ecosystems?

    <p>Biodiversity may affect ecosystem stability and energy dynamics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What misconception might occur regarding pyramids of numbers in certain ecosystems?

    <p>They always have an upright shape.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of phytoplankton in ocean ecosystems?

    <p>They act as the primary producers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is usually assumed about the energy transfer efficiency at each trophic level?

    <p>It is typically 10 percent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the energy available at the highest trophic levels?

    <p>It decreases due to energy transfer loss.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the mass of living or once-living organisms per unit area?

    <p>Biomass</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the hydrological cycle in ecosystems?

    <p>It helps dissolve and transport nutrients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which type of ecosystem might one find an inverted pyramid of numbers?

    <p>Forest ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might be a consequence of drought on ecosystems?

    <p>Reduced water availability and impact on organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The 'rule of 10' describes the assumption about energy transfer efficiency. What does it imply?

    <p>10% of energy is available to the next trophic level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the term 'biomass' in ecological studies?

    <p>Both living and once-living materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant limitation of using a pyramid of biomass compared to a pyramid of numbers?

    <p>It does not account for the size of organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Elton originally coin the term 'Eltonian pyramids'?

    <p>To represent the distribution of energy among trophic levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What analogy is used to explain energy loss during transfer between trophic levels?

    <p>Tossing a bucket of water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a primary producer in a terrestrial ecosystem?

    <p>Grain plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about food webs is false?

    <p>They are simple linear models.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of heterotrophs in relation to nutrient availability for plants?

    <p>Converting nutrients into forms usable by plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following substances is considered a rapid cycling nutrient?

    <p>Carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily responsible for the long-term storage of carbon in the environment?

    <p>Fossil fuel deposits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do trees in forests play in the carbon cycle?

    <p>They act as carbon sinks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nutrient cycle involves the incorporation of sulfur into proteins and vitamins?

    <p>Sulfur cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about the slow cycling of nutrients is accurate?

    <p>Involves long periods of accumulation in reservoirs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the largest carbon sink in the environment?

    <p>Ocean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the consequences of deforestation in terms of carbon?

    <p>It leads to the release of about 2 gigatonnes of carbon annually.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What form of sulfur do plants primarily utilize for their metabolic processes?

    <p>Sulfate (SO4 2–)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to carbon when limestone weathers over time?

    <p>Small amounts of carbon are released back into the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do bacteria contribute to the sulfur cycle?

    <p>Different types of bacteria have various roles in processing sulfur.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process returns carbon quickly into rapid cycling after being stored for some time?

    <p>Forest fires</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect did the industrial revolution have on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?

    <p>Levels increased by about 30 percent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element is typically not found in the atmosphere but exists abundantly in soil and water?

    <p>Phosphorus (P)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of sulfate reducers in the sulfur cycle?

    <p>Convert sulfate to sulfi de</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process is primarily responsible for releasing sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere?

    <p>Burning fossil fuels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What form of nitrogen can plants directly utilize?

    <p>Nitrate (NO3 -)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following processes converts nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants?

    <p>Nitrogen fixation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way does acid deposition affect the environment?

    <p>It can damage plant life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is phosphorus often limited in its availability in the environment?

    <p>It is largely trapped in rocks and soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during the process of crop rotation involving legumes?

    <p>Nitrogen-fixing bacteria increase nitrogen content.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about denitrifying bacteria is true?

    <p>They release nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nutrient's scarcity keeps the growth of producers balanced in aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>Phosphorus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can cause an algal bloom in aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>Increased nutrient availability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do decomposers contribute to the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>They convert organic matter into ammonia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a consequence of excessive acid deposition?

    <p>Increased agricultural yields</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What form must phosphorus be in for plants to utilize it?

    <p>Phosphate (PO4 3-)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one key outcome of the Biosphere 2 experiment?

    <p>Oxygen levels eventually dropped, making the environment unsafe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of NASA's Advanced Life Support (ALS) program?

    <p>To develop sustainable solutions for food and oxygen in space colonies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'dead zones' in aquatic environments?

    <p>Areas where aquatic life has suffocated from low oxygen levels caused by algal blooms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do wetlands contribute to the ecosystem?

    <p>They filter large amounts of water and support biodiversity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of algal blooms exacerbated by pollution?

    <p>Creation of dead zones where fish cannot survive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What sustainable technology is used by the Piikani First Nation to produce electricity?

    <p>Wind turbines</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do scientists model potential colonies on Mars?

    <p>By creating artificial environments in controlled settings on Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does chemical and biological methods play in NASA's ALS program?

    <p>They transform waste into valuable resources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are wetlands important for urban areas like Calcutta?

    <p>They help treat sewage and manage waste.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant problem caused by human activities in the biosphere?

    <p>Creation of dead zones in aquatic environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the exchange of matter and energy in the biosphere?

    <p>Likely interdependent biological and chemical cycles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ecological issue is caused by nutrient run-off into water bodies?

    <p>Algal blooms leading to oxygen depletion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the use of wind energy impact carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels?

    <p>Wind energy has zero carbon emissions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major challenge researchers faced in Biosphere 2?

    <p>Sustaining oxygen and managing carbon dioxide levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of biogeochemical cycles within the biosphere?

    <p>To recycle nutrients among living organisms and environmental reservoirs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT influence productivity in an ecosystem?

    <p>Presence of predators</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is productivity commonly measured in ecosystems?

    <p>Energy per area, per year or biomass added per area, per year</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do nutrients play in aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>They promote the growth of algae, which is vital for primary productivity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is homeostasis in the context of living organisms?

    <p>The ability to maintain internal balance despite external changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the Gaia Hypothesis, what role does life play in maintaining biospheric conditions?

    <p>Life actively regulates environmental conditions to sustain itself.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of stromatolites in understanding Earth's ancient atmosphere?

    <p>They confirm the presence of free oxygen during their formation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically limits productivity in desert ecosystems?

    <p>Insufficient moisture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a grassland ecosystem exhibit higher productivity than a forest during its growing season?

    <p>Grasslands undergo less competition for energy among producers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the constant input of energy from the Sun to the biosphere?

    <p>It is necessary for the conversion of nutrients into usable energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to oxygen levels in the atmosphere based on the activities of photosynthetic microorganisms?

    <p>They were initially very low and began to rise due to photosynthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does human activity have on biogeochemical cycles?

    <p>It disrupts and alters the natural processes of these cycles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element is primarily associated with the cycling of nutrients in living organisms and their environment?

    <p>Phosphorus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way do large rivers and melting ice contribute to ocean productivity?

    <p>They deliver nutrients essential for algal growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Energy for Life

    • All organisms need energy for growth, maintenance, and reproduction; movement also requires energy
    • Energy is released from carbohydrates and other organic molecules
    • Cellular respiration is the energy-releasing process in most animals and plants
    • Fermentation is the energy-releasing process for organisms in oxygen-free environments

    Photosynthesis

    • Plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight to convert carbon into carbohydrates (sugars and starches)
    • This process is called photosynthesis
    • Organisms that produce their own food are called producers or autotrophs

    Heterotrophs

    • Animals and some other organisms cannot produce their own energy-rich molecules
    • They obtain these molecules by consuming other organisms (or absorbing nutrients from them)
    • These are called heterotrophs or "other feeders"
    • Consumers eat other organisms (including producers and heterotrophs)

    Producers in Diverse Environments

    • The sun provides energy for nearly all producers on earth
    • About 51% of the sun's energy reaches Earth's surface
    • Only 1-2% of that energy is converted to chemical energy via photosynthesis
    • Chemosynthetic bacteria in deep-sea vents capture energy from chemical bonds to create carbohydrates (in place of photosynthesis)

    Consumers and Ecological Roles

    • Consumers (heterotrophs) rely, directly or indirectly, on producers for energy
    • Herbivores (primary consumers) eat plants
    • Carnivores (secondary/tertiary consumers) eat other animals
    • Decomposers obtain energy from waste and dead matter

    Fate of Energy in the Biosphere

    • Energy flows in one direction through the biosphere
    • Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted
    • The "rule of 10" (approximately 10% energy transfer between trophic levels) is a helpful approximation but not a law
    • Some energy is lost as unusable heat in each conversion

    Ecological Pyramids

    • Models to represent feeding relationships
    • Pyramids of numbers, biomass, and energy
    • Pyramids of numbers show the number of organisms at each trophic level
    • Pyramids of biomass show the total dry mass of organisms
    • Pyramids of energy show the total energy transferred

    Food Chains and Food Webs

    • Food chains show linear food transfer from producers to consumers
    • Food webs show interconnected food chains
    • Trophic levels represent feeding positions in the food web
    • Decomposition plays a critical role

    Biogeochemical Cycles

    • The biosphere constantly recycles matter (e.g., carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus)
    • Biogeochemical cycles involve both biotic and abiotic components
    • Substances are stored in reservoirs (organisms, soil, air, water) and recycled through rapid and slow cycling processes
    • Human activities greatly impact (e.g., deforestation, burning fossil fuels) biogeochemical cycles

    Productivity and Homeostasis

    • Productivity is the rate at which producers create biomass
    • Productivity varies across ecosystems based on sunlight, moisture, and nutrients
    • Organisms maintain homeostasis to regulate internal conditions despite external changes.
    • Gaia Hypothesis suggests the biosphere acts like an organism to regulate itself.

    Impact of Human Activities

    • Human activities profoundly impact biogeochemical cycles and energy flow.
    • Deforestation, nutrient runoff, pollution, and fossil fuel combustion alter the environment
    • Examples like dead zones (hypoxic waters) highlight ecological consequences.
    • Technologies and practices (e.g., wetlands treatment, renewable energy) are vital to maintain ecosystem balance.

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