Biology Unit 1: Ecosystems Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary difference between Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP)?

GPP measures the total energy available in an ecosystem, while NPP focuses on energy transferred to the abiotic environment.

GPP includes the energy losses at trophic levels, while NPP excludes those losses.

GPP accounts for energy loss due to respiration, while NPP is the energy available for consumption. (correct)

GPP measures energy used by decomposers, while NPP measures energy captured by producers.

Which cycle does NOT have an atmospheric phase in its biogeochemical cycling process?

Nitrogen cycle

Phosphorus cycle (correct)

Carbon cycle

Water cycle

What type of ecological succession occurs in an environment that starts with no soil?

Climax succession

Primary succession (correct)

Secondary succession

Tertiary succession

Which of the following is an example of a K-selected species?

Elephants Signup and view all the answers

In island biogeography, what impact does increased distance from the mainland have on biodiversity?

Decreases biodiversity due to limited species immigration. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of keystone species in an ecosystem?

They are essential for maintaining the ecosystem's stability. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of ecosystem service?

Manufacturing service Signup and view all the answers

What defines a generalist species in an ecosystem?

They can thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of producers in an ecosystem?

They convert solar energy into chemical energy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a trophic cascade?

Changes in the population of top predators that affect lower trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

What does ecological tolerance refer to?

The range of environmental conditions an organism can survive. Signup and view all the answers

Which factors primarily dictate the characteristics of biomes?

Temperature and precipitation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between K-selected and r-selected species?

K-selected species tend to have longer life spans and lower reproductive rates. Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily affected by edge effects in ecosystems?

Species populations and interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an ecosystem service?

Animal adaptation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) in an ecosystem?

It quantifies the total photosynthetic energy captured by producers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit 1: The Living World - Ecosystems

Ecosystem Components: Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
Biomes: Defined by temperature and precipitation; examples include rainforests, deserts, and tundras.
Energy Flow: Producers (autotrophs), consumers (heterotrophs), and decomposers. Energy transfers through food chains/webs, with a 10% rule for energy decrease up trophic levels. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP).
Matter Cycling: Includes the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation), carbon cycle (photosynthesis, respiration, fossil fuels, ocean absorption), nitrogen cycle (fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification), and phosphorus cycle (sedimentary process, no atmospheric phase).
Trophic Levels: Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary consumers → Tertiary consumers.
Keystone Species: Species essential for ecosystem stability whose removal has significant effects on the entire ecosystem.
Trophic Cascades: Changes in top predators or prey levels impact lower levels in the food chain.
Natural Biogeochemical Processes: Decomposition, weathering, sedimentation and energy sources like solar and chemical (chemosynthesis).

Unit 2: The Living World - Biodiversity

Biodiversity Types: Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Ecosystem Services: Provisioning (food, water, timber), regulating (climate control, water purification), cultural (recreation, aesthetics, spiritual), and Supporting (soil formation, nutrient cycling).
Importance of Biodiversity: Resilience, ecosystem services, adaptability.
Island Biogeography: Size and distance from mainland affect biodiversity.
Edge Effects: Habitat fragmentation impacts species.
Ecological Tolerance: Range of conditions an organism can withstand (e.g., temperature, salinity).
Adaptations: Evolutionary traits allowing organisms to survive in specific environments. Specialists vs. Generalists (narrow vs. broad niches).
Ecological Succession:
Primary Succession: Starts with no soil (e.g., volcanic eruptions).
Secondary Succession: Soil is present initially (e.g., after forest fires).
Climax Communities: Stable, final stage of succession.

Unit 3: Populations

Generalists vs. Specialists: Generalists have broad ranges of conditions, while specialists have narrow niches and specific needs.
K-Selected vs. r-Selected Species: K-selected species have few offspring and high parental care, while r-selected species have many offspring and little parental care.
Survivorship Curves (Types I, II, III): Describe the pattern of survival throughout the lifespan of a species.
Carrying Capacity: The maximum population size an environment can support.
Population Growth & Resource Use:
Exponential Growth (J-shaped curve): Rapid increase in population size.
Logistic Growth (S-shaped curve): Population growth slows as it approaches the carrying capacity.
Age Structure Diagrams: Depict the age distribution of a population.
Human Population Dynamics: Birth rates, death rates, immigration, emigration, and stages of demographic transitions.
Impact of Population Growth: Strain on resources, pollution, urbanization, habitat loss, and heat islands.

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of ecosystems in this quiz covering vital components like biotic and abiotic factors, biomes, energy flow, and matter cycling. Understand trophic levels, the role of keystone species, and the intricacies of various ecological cycles. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of the living world.