Ecology and Ecosystems Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best defines stewardship?

An approach to sustainably managing resources. (correct)

An economic model for resource use.

The classification of living things.

The study of ecological systems.

What is the primary focus of the study of ecology?

The classification of human activities.

The study of climate change.

The analysis of non-living factors in an ecosystem.

The interactions between living organisms and their environment. (correct)

Which category of biotic factors includes organisms that produce their own food?

Autotrophs (correct)

Heterotrophs

Consumers

Detritivores

Which of the following is NOT one of the six common characteristics shared by all living things?

Photosynthesize Signup and view all the answers

What is an abiotic factor?

A non-living component of an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Identify a variable that affects water suitability in an ecosystem.

Water temperature Signup and view all the answers

What factor best determines the classification of a biome?

Species present and climate conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of detritivores in an ecosystem?

To recycle dead organic material. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth's atmosphere is composed of nitrogen?

78% Signup and view all the answers

Which component covers the greatest percentage of the Earth's surface?

Hydrosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'sustainability' in ecosystems?

The capacity of ecosystem elements to continue interacting and reproducing indefinitely. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an example of an unsustainable ecosystem?

A forest with deforestation and polluted water. Signup and view all the answers

What does high biodiversity in an ecosystem generally indicate?

A lower chance of species extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a climax community?

It represents a state of balance within a community of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key practice of sustainable logging?

Leaving patches of trees and planting new saplings. Signup and view all the answers

How thick can the lithosphere be?

50-150 km Signup and view all the answers

Which biome is characterized by coniferous forests and freshwater bodies?

Boreal Forest Signup and view all the answers

What unique feature characterizes the Tundra biome?

Permafrost layer Signup and view all the answers

Which biome experiences all four seasons due to the interaction of warm and cold air masses?

Temperate Deciduous Forest Signup and view all the answers

What type of vegetation is primarily found in Grasslands?

Large open areas of grasses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that limits rainfall in the Grassland biome?

Frequent fires Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major role of the Earth's atmosphere?

Absorbs UV radiation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately defines the lithosphere?

The solid outer part of the Earth Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of Mountain Forest biomes?

High ground elevation and cold climate Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of clear-cutting forests?

Every tree is cut down. Signup and view all the answers

Who is primarily responsible for ensuring sustainable logging practices?

Consumers and corporations Signup and view all the answers

How do organisms, like humans, obtain chemical energy?

Through consuming foods Signup and view all the answers

What is the main product released during cellular respiration?

Energy Signup and view all the answers

How does cellular respiration differ from photosynthesis regarding light energy?

Cellular respiration occurs at night; photosynthesis requires light. Signup and view all the answers

What role do plants play in ecosystems as producers?

They create food that other organisms depend on. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of a greenhouse structure for plant growth?

It traps heat from the sun, maintaining warmth. Signup and view all the answers

What chemical process do plants use to make food from sunlight?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What process converts nitrogen gas into ammonia that plants can use?

Nitrogen fixation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about matter cycling is true?

Matter cycling involves the transformation of matter between forms and locations. Signup and view all the answers

In the carbon cycle, which process contributes carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere?

Respiration Signup and view all the answers

What form of nitrogen is typically produced during the nitrification process?

Nitrate (NO₃) Signup and view all the answers

Which element is primarily found in the atmosphere and abundant in the nitrogen cycle?

Nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of denitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

They convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas. Signup and view all the answers

Which compound is produced as a result of the reaction between nitrogen gas and hydrogen during ammonia synthesis?

Ammonia (NH₃) Signup and view all the answers

What role do nitrogen-fixing bacteria play in the ecosystem?

They transform nitrogen gas into usable nitrogen compounds. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecology & Ecosystems

Ecology: Study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Stewardship: Taking personal responsibility for the care of something.
Ecosystem: A complex system where living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things interact.
- Biotic factors: Living organisms (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria).
- Abiotic factors: Non-living components (e.g., sunlight, water, temperature).

Types of Organisms

Autotrophs (producers): Organisms that make their own food (e.g., plants using photosynthesis).
Heterotrophs (consumers): Organisms that cannot make their own food and rely on other organisms for food.
Detritivores (decomposers): Organisms that break down dead organic matter (e.g., fungi, bacteria).

Commonalities of Living Things

Grow
Reproduce
Produce waste
Need nutrients
Move
Require oxygen

Water as an Abiotic Factor

Factors affecting water suitability for ecosystems:
- Water temperature
- Water acidity
- Water salinity
- Water oxygen content
- Mineral content

Biomes

Large regions classified by their climate and characteristic wildlife, soil, vegetation.
Canada's biomes: Boreal Forest, Tundra, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Grassland, Mountain Forest.
Boreal Forest: Coniferous forests, freshwater bodies, low fertility soil, lots of moss (e.g., caribou, moose, elk).
Tundra: Cold, windy, limited rainfall, permafrost (e.g., Arctic foxes, polar bears).
Temperate Deciduous Forest: Deciduous trees, four seasons, moderate sunlight (e.g., rabbits, beavers, raccoons).
Grassland: Open areas of grasses, grazing animals, frequent fires (e.g., elephants, cheetahs, lions).
Mountain Forest: Combination of deciduous forest and mountain range, cold, windy, high elevation.

Earth's Spheres

Lithosphere: Earth's rocky outer layer (crust and uppermost mantle).
Hydrosphere: Earth's liquid water component (oceans, seas, rivers).
Atmosphere: Layer of gases surrounding Earth, retained by gravity.
Biosphere: The part of Earth that supports life, encompassing all living organisms and their environments.

Sustainability

Sustainability: The ability of an ecosystem to continue interacting and reproducing indefinitely.
Biodiversity: The variety of life in an ecosystem (higher biodiversity generally means a healthier ecosystem).
Ecological Balance: A state of equilibrium within a community of organisms (e.g., a mature forest).

Sustainable Practices

Sustainable logging: Leaving patches of trees standing, planting saplings, promoting forest regeneration.
Clear-cutting: Cutting down all trees with no plans for regeneration.
Accountability: Governments should monitor and limit logging, environmental groups and consumers should put pressure on corporations.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Sun: Primary source of energy.
Photosynthesis: Plants convert light energy into chemical energy (sugar).
Cellular Respiration: Organisms use oxygen to break down food molecules and release energy.
Food Chains: Energy is transferred from producers to consumers.

Matter Cycling

Matter: Cannot be created or destroyed, but can be recycled.
Water Cycle: Evaporation, condensation, precipitation.
Carbon Cycle: Photosynthesis, respiration, combustion.
Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen fixation, decomposition, denitrification.

Nitrogen Cycle Explained

Nitrogen Fixation: Nitrogen gas (N2) is converted into usable forms (ammonia, nitrates) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Nitrogen in Soil: Nitrates are absorbed by plants for growth.
Denitrification: Nitrates are converted back to nitrogen gas by dentrifying bacteria, returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

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Description

Test your knowledge about ecology and ecosystems with this quiz. Explore concepts like biotic and abiotic factors, types of organisms, and the responsibilities involved in stewardship. Delve into the interactions between living and non-living components that shape our environment.