Chemistry Class Quiz: Elements and Ecology

Ecological Footprint

• Definition: A measure of a person's daily resource consumption and waste production, relative to the Earth's biologically productive area.
• Measured in: Global hectares (gha).

Population Density

• Definition: The number of individuals in a given area.
• Formula: Population Density (D) = Total Number of Individuals (N) / Space Occupied by Individuals (S)

Ecological Density

• Definition: The number of individuals of a species in the usable habitat, excluding uninhabitable areas.
• Formula: Ecological Density (DE) = N / SE, where SE represents suitable habitat.

Net Population Size

• Definition: The change in population size after considering births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.
• Formula: Net Population Change = (Births + Immigration) - (Deaths + Emigration)

Survivorship Curves

• Definition: Graphs showing how the mortality rate of individuals changes over time (specifically, with age).
• Types:
  • Type I: Low mortality early in life, high mortality later in life (e.g., humans).
  • Type II: Constant mortality rate throughout life (e.g., bees).
  • Type III: High mortality early in life, low mortality later in life (e.g., sea turtles).

Ecological Hierarchy

• Levels of Organization:
  • Individuals: Single organism.
  • Population: Group of individuals of the same species.
  • Community: Different populations interacting in a shared area.
  • Ecosystem: Interaction of communities with their abiotic environment.

Species Interactions

• Competition:
  • Interspecific: Between individuals of different species.
  • Intraspecific: Between individuals of the same species.
  • Interference: Direct competition over resources.
  • Exploitation: Indirect competition, without direct interaction.
• Predation: One species hunts and consumes another.
• Symbiosis: Close interaction between two species.
  • Mutualism: Both benefit (e.g., bees and plants).
  • Commensalism: One benefits, the other is unaffected.
  • Parasitism: One benefits, the other is harmed.

Defense Mechanisms Against Predation

• Morphological: Physical features (e.g., thorns on plants).
• Chemical: Toxic substances (e.g., skunk spray).
• Protective Coloration:
  • Cryptic: Camouflage.
  • Aposematic: Warning coloration (e.g., bright colors).

Population Dispersion Patterns

• Clumped: Organisms grouped together (protection, resources, social behavior).
• Uniform: Evenly spaced (territoriality).
• Random: Spread out without a clear pattern (uniform environment).

Density-Dependent and Density-Independent Factors

• Density-Dependent: Impact varies with population density (competition, predation, disease).
• Density-Independent: Impact is independent of population density (natural disasters, weather).

Sampling Methods

• Quadrat Sampling: For immobile organisms.
  • Procedure: Define area, create grid, randomly select quadrats, count organisms, and calculate average density.
• Mark-Recapture: For mobile organisms.
  • Procedure: Capture, mark, release, recapture, and count marked individuals to estimate total population size.

Theoretical Population Dynamics

• Relationship: Predator-Prey (population size of predator depends on prey; when prey resources are depleted, both decline).

Biochemical Processes

• Oxidation: Loss of electrons or addition of oxygen.
• Reduction: Gain of electrons or loss of oxygen.
• Redox Reactions: Transfer of electrons; both oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.
• Oxidizing Agent: Substance that gains electrons/is reduced.
• Reducing Agent: Substance that loses electrons/is oxidized.

Acids and Bases

• Acids: Increase hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration in water (Sour taste, Conduct electricity, Turns litmus paper red).
• Bases: Increase hydroxide ion (OH⁻) concentration in water (Bitter taste, Slippery feel, Turns litmus paper blue).

Functional Groups in Macromolecules

• Hydroxyl (-OH): Polar, hydrophilic, increases water solubility.
• Sulfhydryl (-SH): Polar, hydrophilic, role in protein structure.
• Carbonyl (-C=O): Polar, hydrophilic, increases molecule polarity.
• Carboxyl (-COOH): Acidic, polar, hydrophilic, makes molecule acidic.
• Amino (-NH₂): Basic, polar, hydrophilic, makes molecule basic.
• Phosphate (-PO₄): Acidic, hydrophilic, involved in energy transfer.

Macromolecules

• Carbohydrates: Building materials and energy source.
  • Simple Carbs: Monosaccharides, disaccharides.
  • Complex Carbs: Polysaccharides (starch, cellulose).
• Lipids: Provide insulation, structure, and raw materials.
• Proteins: Involved in cellular activities, enzymes, and structure.

2. Metabolic Processes

• Cellular Respiration: Conversion of glucose to ATP (energy).
• Photosynthesis: Plants convert light energy into glucose.
• Lactic Acid Fermentation: Anaerobic process (glucose converted into lactic acid).
• Aerobic Respiration: Respiration in the presence of oxygen.

3. Molecular Genetics

• DNA Structure: Double helix; nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, base).
• RNA Structure: Single strand.
• Bonds: Covalent (phosphodiester bonds), Hydrogen (bases).
• Complementary strands (DNA).
• Transcription: DNA to mRNA.
• Translation: mRNA to protein.

4. Passive Transport

• Definition: Movement of molecules or ions across a membrane without energy.
• Types: Simple Diffusion, Facilitated Diffusion, Osmosis.

5. Homeostasis

• Feedback mechanisms:
  • Negative Feedback: Maintains internal balance by reversing a change.
  • Positive Feedback: Amplifies a change (moves further/away from initial state).

6. Endocrine System

• Glands and hormones involved in regulating various body functions.

7. Neurons

• Functional unit of nervous system
• Parts & functions: Cell body (soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin sheath, Axon terminals, Synaptic knobs

8. Action Potential

• Electrical impulse that travels along a neuron.
• Phases: Resting potential, depolarization, repolarization, refractory period.
• Graph analysis.

9. Urinary System

• Nephron: Functional unit of kidney.
• Processes for filtering blood, reabsorbing useful substances, and excreting waste.

10. Thyroxine and Parathyroid Hormones

• Thyroxine (T3/T4): Regulation of metabolism, growth, and development.
• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): Regulation of calcium levels.

11. PTH and Calcium Homeostasis

• PTH increases calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity, increasing calcium reabsorption in kidneys, and promoting calcium absorption from diet.

12. Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing info, coordinating responses
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Nerves outside the CNS, divided into somatic and autonomic systems.

Test your knowledge of transition metals, group elements, cation formation, and ecological concepts. This quiz covers key ideas in chemistry and ecology, focusing on how elements interact and affect their environment. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding in these areas.