Biology: Ecology and Organisms

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Questions and Answers

What is a consequence of introducing non-native species to an ecosystem?

Enhanced food security

Increased native species populations

Improved biodiversity

Disruption of local ecosystems (correct)

What is the primary purpose of reforestation?

To increase urban development

To enhance fossil fuel extraction

To promote agricultural expansion

To restore habitats and ecosystems (correct)

How does overfishing affect fish populations?

Leads to depletion of fish stocks (correct)

Allows for sustainable stock management

Encourages breeding cycles

Improves fish health through better feeding

What is the role of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems?

They serve as a primary food source. Signup and view all the answers

What does a high population density of a species indicate?

The species experiences high competition. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does pollution have on ecosystem dynamics?

It adversely affects ecosystems and health. Signup and view all the answers

What process involves organisms primarily feeding on eggs?

Ovivorous feeding Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main roles of producers in an ecosystem?

To convert light energy into chemical energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of coral bleaching on marine ecosystems?

Loss of color and expulsion of symbiotic algae Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major consequence of deforestation?

Loss of biodiversity and habitat Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the process by which organisms or seeds move from their original location to new areas?

Dispersal Signup and view all the answers

What does the study of demography primarily focus on?

The patterns of population size and structure Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of desertification?

Conversion of fertile land into desert Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms primarily consume fruits?

Frugivorous organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an impact of climate change on biodiversity?

Stabilization of ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of an endangered species?

A species that is at risk of extinction Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of climate change?

Human activities releasing greenhouse gases Signup and view all the answers

Which process actively combats deforestation?

Afforestation Signup and view all the answers

What does conservation primarily focus on?

Protection and management of resources Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustain?

Carrying capacity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an effect of biomagnification?

Accumulation of toxins in top predators Signup and view all the answers

Which option describes a component of ecosystem dynamics?

Interactions among biotic and abiotic factors Signup and view all the answers

How does animal grazing affect plant biodiversity?

Leads to the homogenization of plant communities Signup and view all the answers

What role do autotrophs play in ecosystems?

They produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Non-native species

Species introduced to a region outside their natural range.
Can disrupt local ecosystems if they become invasive.

Oil spills

Accidental release of oil into the environment, often in marine areas.
Cause damage to ecosystems and wildlife.

Overfishing

Fishing at a rate faster than fish populations can replenish themselves.
Leads to depletion of fish stocks and disruption of marine ecosystems.

Ovivorous

Animals whose diet consists mainly of eggs.

Oxygen

Essential gas for respiration of most living organisms.
Produced during photosynthesis.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another (host).

PH levels

Measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline).
pH 7 is neutral.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using carbon dioxide and water.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments.
Primary food source for many marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Plant hormones

Chemical messengers that regulate growth, development, and responses to environmental stimuli in plants.

Plants

Multicellular organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Have cell walls made of cellulose.

Pollution

Introduction of harmful substances into the environment, damaging ecosystems and human health.

Polyethylene

Common synthetic polymer used in many products (e.g., plastic bags, containers).

Population

Group of individuals of the same species in a specific area at a particular time.

Population density

Number of individuals of a species per unit area or volume.

Precipitation

Any form of water (liquid or solid) falling from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface.
Includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Predation

Biological interaction where one organism (predator) hunts and kills another (prey) for food.

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

Reforestation

Replanting trees to restore forests that have been depleted or destroyed.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
Includes herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Coral bleaching

Loss of color in corals due to stress, often caused by elevated water temperatures.
Occurs when corals expel symbiotic algae, leading to their death if prolonged.

Corals

Marine invertebrates that form colonies and build calcium carbonate skeletons.
Often create coral reefs, critical habitats for diverse marine life.

Creeper

Plant that spreads along the ground or climbs up surfaces, often using tendrils or modified stems.

Decomposition

Breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi).
Recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Deforestation

Large-scale removal of forests, often for agriculture or development.
Causes loss of biodiversity, habitat, and contributes to climate change.

Demography

Study of human populations, their size, structure, distribution, and changes over time.

Desertification

Process of turning fertile land into desert, often due to drought, deforestation, or unsustainable agriculture.

Dispersal

Movement of organisms or seeds away from their origin to new locations.
Facilitates species spread and colonization of new areas.

Ecosystem

Community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, functioning as a unit.

Edaphic

Relating to soil characteristics and conditions, such as composition, texture, and nutrient content.

Emigration

Movement of individuals out of a population or country.

Employment

Having a job or being engaged in productive work.
Essential for economic activity and societal well-being.

Endangered species

Species at risk of extinction due to factors like habitat loss, poaching, or climate change.

Evolution

Process by which species change over time through genetic variation and natural selection.
The driving force behind the diversity of life on Earth.

Extinct species

Species that no longer exist anywhere on Earth.

Fauna

Animal life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

Flora

Plant life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

Food chain

Linear sequence of organisms where each is consumed by the next higher trophic level.
Represents the flow of energy through an ecosystem, starting with producers.

Frugivorous

Organisms that primarily consume fruits as their main source of food.

Fungi

Kingdom of organisms that decompose organic matter and can form symbiotic relationships (e.g., mycorrhizae).
Includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.

Abiotic factors

Non-living components of the ecosystem such as temperature, water, sunlight, and soil.

Abscisic acid

Plant hormone that regulates stress responses like drought and seed dormancy.

Adaptation

Genetic trait or behavior that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Afforestation

Planting trees in areas that were not previously forested.

Agricultural runoff

Water flowing off agricultural lands, often carrying fertilizers, pesticides, and sediments.

Air pollution

Presence of harmful substances in the air, damaging ecosystems and human health.

Algae

Simple, photosynthetic organisms found in water, ranging from microscopic phytoplankton to large seaweeds.

Animal grazing

Herbivorous animals feeding on grass or other vegetation.

Atmospheric factors

Elements of the atmosphere like temperature, humidity, and wind.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Form the base of the food chain.

Auxin

Plant hormone that regulates growth, particularly cell elongation and responses to light and gravity.

Biomagnification

Increasing concentration of substances (often toxins) as they move up the food chain.

Birds

Warm-blooded vertebrates with feathers, beaks, and lay hard-shelled eggs.

Carbon dioxide

Essential gas for photosynthesis, but also a major greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

Carrying capacity

Maximum population size that an environment can sustain over time without degradation.

Chemotropism

Growth or movement of an organism in response to a chemical stimulus, often in the direction of a beneficial substance.

Climate

Long-term weather patterns of a region.

Climate change

Long-term shifts in temperature, weather patterns, and environmental conditions, often driven by human activity.

Climber

Plant that grows upward by attaching itself to supports.

Coal power

Generation of electricity by burning coal.
A significant source of energy, but also a major contributor to air pollution.

Conservation

Protection, preservation, and management of natural resources and ecosystems.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various ecological concepts and biological processes. This quiz covers topics like non-native species, oil spills, overfishing, and more. Dive into the intricate relationships within ecosystems and the significance of each topic.