Ecology Basics Quiz

The transparent outer layer of a leaf that allows sunlight to pass through for photosynthesis.

Tissue within a leaf containing chloroplasts, the sites of photosynthesis.

The layer of a leaf filled with air spaces that facilitate gas exchange during photosynthesis.

Openings on the underside of a leaf that allow carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to exit, controlled by guard cells.

A bundle of vascular tissue in a leaf, consisting of xylem for water transport and phloem for nutrient transport.

The process by which food is broken down mechanically and chemically in the body.

A type of muscle contraction that moves food along the digestive tract.

Enzymes that break down large molecules into smaller usable molecules.

Enzymes that break down lipids (fats) into fatty acids and glycerol.

A liquid produced by the liver and stored In the gall bladder. It neutralizes stomach acid and emulsifies lipids, increasing their surface area for lipase action.

Finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

The process of releasing energy from glucose to produce ATP.

The energy currency of cells. It provides energy for essential processes like active transport, muscle contraction, and cell division.

Respiration that requires oxygen. It's more efficient and produces more energy than anaerobic respiration.

Respiration that occurs without oxygen. It is less efficient but allows cells to generate energy in the absence of oxygen.

A method used to investigate respiration in seeds or organisms by measuring the release of carbon dioxide.

The process by which the kidneys filter waste products and excess water from the blood, producing urine.

The process by which the kidneys reabsorb essential substances, like water, glucose, and amino acids, back into the bloodstream.

The tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

The organ that stores urine before it is excreted.

The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.

A change in the surrounding environment that an organism can detect and respond to.

Unicellular organisms like bacteria have a large surface area compared to their volume. This allows for efficient diffusion across their cell membrane, enabling them to get nutrients and remove waste without needing a transport system.

Multicellular organisms, like humans, have a smaller surface area compared to their volume. This makes it very difficult for diffusion to transport nutrients and remove waste effectively across long distances.

The process by which the phloem transports sugars (mainly sucrose) and amino acids from the leaves to other parts of the plant.

The tubes that carry water and dissolved mineral ions upwards from the roots to the rest of the plant.

The loss of water vapor from the leaves of a plant, which creates a pulling force that draws water up the xylem.

The process of moving sugars (mainly sucrose) and amino acids through the phloem from the leaves, where they are made, to other parts of the plant.

The tubes that carry water and dissolved mineral ions from the roots to the rest of the plant.

The evaporation of water vapor from the leaves of a plant, which creates suction that pulls water up the xylem.

A visual representation of the amount of living organic matter (biomass) at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Shows the amount of energy available at each trophic level. Energy decreases as you move up the pyramid due to energy loss at each level.

The process by which producers (plants) use sunlight to make food (glucose).

Organisms that get their energy by eating other organisms. They are divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers.

Organisms that break down dead organisms and waste, returning nutrients back into the ecosystem.

The transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next. Only about 10% of the energy is transferred, while the rest is lost.

Energy is lost at each trophic level through respiration, excretion, and unconsumed parts of organisms.

A simple sequence of organisms, showing who eats whom, from producer to consumer.

The process where excessive nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage, cause rapid algae growth, leading to oxygen depletion and harming aquatic life.

Harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites found in sewage, which can cause illnesses like cholera and typhoid.

The excess nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, from fertilizers that seep into water bodies, promoting excessive algal growth.

A massive overgrowth of algae in a water body, fueled by excess nutrients, often appearing as a green or blue-green layer on the water's surface.

A condition where oxygen levels in a water body become extremely low, often due to excessive decomposition of organic matter, such as dead algae.

The decrease in the variety of life forms in a specific ecosystem, often caused by environmental changes like nutrient imbalances or low oxygen levels.

The process where food is broken down into smaller molecules, making it easier for the body to absorb and use.