Ecology and Environmental Factors Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'ecology' denote?

  • Study of organism populations
  • Study of household interactions
  • Study of climate and weather patterns
  • Study of organism interactions with their environment (correct)

    • Which of the following correctly describes the term 'environment'?

  • The sum of abiotic factors only
  • Surroundings affecting an organism's development (correct)
  • The sum of biotic factors only
  • Only the climatic factors impacting organisms

    • Which of the following groups are considered as physical or abiotic factors?

  • Soil, air, and water (correct)
  • Predation and competition
  • Plant and animal interactions
  • Microbial activities

    • What is the primary function of the troposphere?

    <p>Hosting atmospheric dust and water vapor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following layers of the atmosphere lies above the troposphere?

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

    What is a significant characteristic of the troposphere?

    <p>It is where all weather phenomena occur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which components contribute to the abiotic environment?

    <p>Temperature, humidity, and atmospheric conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main focus of ecology as a biological discipline?

    <p>Interrelationships between organisms and their environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal lapse rate in the troposphere?

    <p>1°C for every 165 meters of ascent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about the stratosphere is true?

    <p>It is where the ozone layer is formed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what height does the temperature in the mesosphere reach 100°C?

    <p>80 km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the atmosphere is responsible for ionizing atoms?

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

    What is the primary function of the ozone layer in the stratosphere?

    <p>To absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the highest layer of the atmosphere called?

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

    What happens to radio waves in the ionosphere?

    <p>They are reflected, enabling radio communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the composition of the air in the stratosphere?

    <p>Low in water vapor and dust particles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of photoperiodism in relation to plants?

    <p>The physiological and behavioral changes in organisms due to variations in day length.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of transpiration in plants?

    <p>To cool the plant and facilitate nutrient delivery from roots to leaves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of phenomena associated with phenology?

    <p>The folding of leaves due to darkness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do long day plants differ from short day plants?

    <p>They require longer light periods to trigger flowering.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What initiates the germination process in seeds?

    <p>Imbibition of water by dry seeds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately describes phototropism?

    <p>The bending of plant shoots towards the direction of light.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives the process of transpiration in plants?

    <p>The evaporation of water through stomates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physiological change occurs within seeds after they imbibe water?

    <p>The seed begins to produce energy for growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main process involved in the formation of soil?

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

    Which soil texture is characterized by having the largest particle size?

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

    What is the term used for the upward movement of water vapor due to air currents?

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

    Which of the following is NOT a direct effect of wind on plant life?

    <p>Salt spray</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component makes up the largest percentage of soil's composition?

    <p>Mineral matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In soil profiling, what does the 'O' horizon primarily consist of?

    <p>Decomposed organic matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon is characterized as the bending of herbs and shrubs due to high-speed winds?

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

    Which type of soil is recognized for its high water holding capacity?

    <p>Clay soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a disadvantage of clay soils?

    <p>They are difficult to aerate and compact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of soil provides the best balance of aeration, nutrient content, and water retention?

    <p>Loam soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of soil water is primarily available for plant absorption?

    <p>Capillary water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What influence does soil pH have on plant growth?

    <p>It affects mineral availability and biological activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following plants is likely to thrive in acidic soil?

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

    What characterizes hygroscopic water in the soil?

    <p>It is strongly bound to soil particles and unavailable to plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do sandy soils lose moisture quickly?

    <p>They are very porous and loose.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of gravitational water?

    <p>It percolates downward due to gravity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Ecology

    • Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
    • The term "ecology" was coined by Ernst Haeckel.
    • Ecology is derived from the Greek words "oikos" (house) and "logos" (study).

    Environment

    • The environment comprises all biotic and abiotic components that surround an organism and influence its growth and development.

    Environmental Factors

    • Two main types of environmental factors:
      • Physical or Abiotic Factors: These include soil, air, water, atmosphere, humidity, rain, and topographic features.
      • Living or Biotic Factors: These include all living organisms within an ecosystem.

    Atmosphere

    • The gaseous envelope surrounding Earth is known as the atmosphere.
    • It comprises nitrogen, oxygen, noble gases, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
    • The atmosphere has layers:
      • Troposphere: The lowest layer, extending from 8-18 km from Earth's surface, responsible for weather changes and cloud formation.
      • Stratosphere: Above the troposphere, extending from 8-18 to 30-50 km, contains the ozone layer, which absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
      • Mesosphere: Extends from 30-50 to 80 km, where temperature decreases with height.
      • Ionosphere: Extends from 80-400 km, responsible for absorbing cosmic rays and reflecting radio waves.
      • Exosphere: The outermost layer, merging with space.

    Plant Responses to Environment

    • Nastic Movements: Non-directional movements in response to stimuli.
      • Nyctinasty: Folding of leaves in response to darkness.
    • Tropisms: Directional movements in response to stimuli.
      • Phototropism: Movement towards light.
    • Photoperiodism: The influence of day length on organism physiology and behavior.
      • Short-Day Plants: Bloom when day length is short (e.g., Chrysanthemum).
      • Long-Day Plants: Bloom when day length is long (e.g., Spinach).
      • Day-Neutral Plants: Bloom regardless of day length (e.g., Maize).
    • Phenology: The timing of seasonal activities in organisms, often controlled by photoperiodism.
      • Examples include bird migration, hibernation, animal breeding, flowering, and dormancy.

    Transpiration

    • The evaporation of water from leaves and stems of plants into the atmosphere.
    • Plants absorb water from the soil through roots.
    • Transpiration accounts for approximately 10% of all evaporating water.

    Seed Germination

    • For non-dormant seeds, germination begins when water is provided and the temperature is appropriate.
    • The uptake of water by dry seeds is called imbibition.
    • As seeds imbibe water, enzymes and food supplies become hydrated, leading to increased metabolic activity for growth.

    Wind

    • Air currents created by uneven heating and rotation of the Earth.
    • Wind carries water vapor, which condenses and returns to Earth as rain, snow, or hail.
    • Wind affects plant and animal life:
      • Direct Effects: Leaf damage, deformation, lodging (bending of plants), soil erosion.
      • Indirect Effects: Desiccation, salt spray damage.

    Soil

    • Soil is formed by biological processes (pedogenesis), including humification, eluviation, and illuviation.
    • Soil components:
      • Mineral Matter: Approximately 40%.
      • Organic Matter: Approximately 10%.
      • Soil Moisture: Approximately 25%.
      • Soil Atmosphere: Approximately 25%.
      • Soil Organisms: Various organisms like bacteria, fungi, and insects.
    • Soil Profile: Different soil layers in a vertical section.
    • Soil Texture: The size and arrangement of soil particles.
      • Sandy Soil: Well-aerated, porous, but dries quickly.
      • Clay Soil: High water retention, but poorly aerated and compact.
      • Loam Soil: Combines the best qualities of sandy and clay soils.
    • Soil Water: Water accumulated in the soil can be categorized as:
      • Hygroscopic Water: Firmly held by soil particles, unavailable to plants.
      • Gravitational Water: Percolates downwards due to gravity.
      • Capillary Water: Present between soil particles, available to plants.
    • Soil pH: Affects mineral availability and soil biological activity.
      • Acidic Soil: Favors some plants like ericas and ferns.
      • Alkaline Soil: Favors some plants like xerophytes.

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