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Questions and Answers
The branch of biology dealing with interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment is called:
The branch of biology dealing with interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment is called:
Ecology
The area of Earth where all living things live is called the:
The area of Earth where all living things live is called the:
biosphere
All of the members of one species that live in one area are called a(an):
All of the members of one species that live in one area are called a(an):
population
Many different populations that live together in a specific area is called:
Many different populations that live together in a specific area is called:
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Where does most of the energy come from in an ecosystem?
Where does most of the energy come from in an ecosystem?
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An organism that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals to produce its own food is called:
An organism that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals to produce its own food is called:
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Which of the following organisms does NOT require sunlight to live?
Which of the following organisms does NOT require sunlight to live?
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Corn planted in a field that has been previously planted with legumes and then plowed under is likely to be:
Corn planted in a field that has been previously planted with legumes and then plowed under is likely to be:
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A diagram that shows all the feeding relationships in an ecosystem is a food:
A diagram that shows all the feeding relationships in an ecosystem is a food:
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What is it called each time you move up a level in a food web?
What is it called each time you move up a level in a food web?
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A bird kills and then eats an insect. Based on its behavior, which terms describe the bird?
A bird kills and then eats an insect. Based on its behavior, which terms describe the bird?
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Of all the energy an organism has, some is used for the organism's life processes, and the rest is:
Of all the energy an organism has, some is used for the organism's life processes, and the rest is:
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A pyramid that shows the amount of living tissue at each trophic level is called:
A pyramid that shows the amount of living tissue at each trophic level is called:
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What animals eat both plants and animals?
What animals eat both plants and animals?
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A snake that eats a frog that has eaten an insect that fed on a plant is a:
A snake that eats a frog that has eaten an insect that fed on a plant is a:
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The repeated movement of water between Earth's surface and the atmosphere is called:
The repeated movement of water between Earth's surface and the atmosphere is called:
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How do bacteria change nitrogen gas in the air to ammonia and nitrates?
How do bacteria change nitrogen gas in the air to ammonia and nitrates?
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What is one way that carbon cycles through the biosphere?
What is one way that carbon cycles through the biosphere?
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How is carbon stored in the biosphere?
How is carbon stored in the biosphere?
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Nitrogen fixation can be accomplished by:
Nitrogen fixation can be accomplished by:
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Organisms need nutrients in order to:
Organisms need nutrients in order to:
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How is the movement of energy different from the movement of nutrients through living systems?
How is the movement of energy different from the movement of nutrients through living systems?
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What is it called when growth is affected by a lack of nutrients in an ecosystem?
What is it called when growth is affected by a lack of nutrients in an ecosystem?
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What producer greatly increased in numbers when the wolf was reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park?
What producer greatly increased in numbers when the wolf was reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park?
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When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, another carnivore was reduced by as much as 50% to 90%. What animal is this?
When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, another carnivore was reduced by as much as 50% to 90%. What animal is this?
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What was the population of cottonwood trees like BEFORE wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone N.P.?
What was the population of cottonwood trees like BEFORE wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone N.P.?
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In 1995, wolves taken from _____ were brought to Yellowstone N.P. to restore ecological balance to the ecosystem.
In 1995, wolves taken from _____ were brought to Yellowstone N.P. to restore ecological balance to the ecosystem.
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Why has the wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone N.P. been controversial in Montana and Wyoming?
Why has the wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone N.P. been controversial in Montana and Wyoming?
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What is true about the social order in a wolf pack?
What is true about the social order in a wolf pack?
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How does nitrogen get from plants to animals?
How does nitrogen get from plants to animals?
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Where is most of the nitrogen found in the nitrogen cycle?
Where is most of the nitrogen found in the nitrogen cycle?
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Which unit is used to measure the movement of energy through an ecosystem?
Which unit is used to measure the movement of energy through an ecosystem?
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What types of organisms are decomposers?
What types of organisms are decomposers?
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Which of the following organisms are NOT photosynthetic?
Which of the following organisms are NOT photosynthetic?
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Ecologists make __________ to study large-scale phenomena, such as Earth's water cycle.
Ecologists make __________ to study large-scale phenomena, such as Earth's water cycle.
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In the water cycle, the process of __________ occurs between evaporation and precipitation.
In the water cycle, the process of __________ occurs between evaporation and precipitation.
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The water shown flowing over land is called __________.
The water shown flowing over land is called __________.
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Autotrophs capture energy from sunlight or __________ to produce food.
Autotrophs capture energy from sunlight or __________ to produce food.
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Plant-eating animals such as cows are called __________.
Plant-eating animals such as cows are called __________.
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Organisms that break down organic matter and return it to the environment are called:
Organisms that break down organic matter and return it to the environment are called:
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The algae at the beginning of the food chain are:
The algae at the beginning of the food chain are:
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The squid in the food chain are:
The squid in the food chain are:
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Of the organisms represented, the population in the oceans with the smallest total numbers of individuals is most likely the __________.
Of the organisms represented, the population in the oceans with the smallest total numbers of individuals is most likely the __________.
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In a four-level energy pyramid, if the first level contains 500 kilocalories of energy, the third level will contain approximately __________ calories.
In a four-level energy pyramid, if the first level contains 500 kilocalories of energy, the third level will contain approximately __________ calories.
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Groundwater, when taken up by the roots of plants, eventually reenters the atmosphere through the leaves of plants by the process of __________.
Groundwater, when taken up by the roots of plants, eventually reenters the atmosphere through the leaves of plants by the process of __________.
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The chemical substances that an organism requires to live are called __________.
The chemical substances that an organism requires to live are called __________.
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Living organisms require nitrogen to make __________.
Living organisms require nitrogen to make __________.
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Study Notes
Ecology Overview
- Ecology studies interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environments.
- The biosphere encompasses all regions of Earth where living organisms exist.
Populations and Communities
- A population consists of individuals of the same species residing in a specific area.
- A community is formed by multiple populations interacting in a given area.
Energy in Ecosystems
- Most energy in ecosystems originates from sunlight.
- Autotrophs can create their own food using sunlight or chemicals.
Trophic Levels and Food Webs
- Organisms occupy different trophic levels in food webs, which illustrate feeding relationships in ecosystems.
- Each step upward in a food web is known as a trophic level.
- Carnivores, such as birds that eat insects, are consumers that rely on other organisms for energy.
Nutrient Cycles
- The water cycle involves the continuous movement of water within the environment.
- Nitrogen fixation, performed by certain bacteria, converts nitrogen gas to usable forms like ammonia.
- Carbon cycles through the biosphere primarily via photosynthesis and is stored underground and in oceanic rocks.
Ecological Succession and Interventions
- The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park led to an increase in cottonwood tree populations by controlling elk grazing.
- Identified controversies include concerns over wolves harming livestock and public fear of the species.
Nutrient Requirements and Growth Factors
- Organisms require nutrients to perform essential life functions; a limiting nutrient restricts growth when unavailable.
- Decomposers, including bacteria and fungi, recycle organic matter.
Energy Flow vs. Nutrient Cycling
- Energy moves in a one-way direction through ecosystems, while nutrients cycle between organisms and the environment.
- The energy captured by autotrophs is measured in kilocalories.
Organism Classification
- Omnivores consume both plant and animal matter; herbivores are exclusively plant eaters.
- Leafcutter ants are a notable example of a non-photosynthetic organism.
Ecosystem Models and Measurements
- Ecologists use models to study large-scale ecological phenomena, such as Earth’s water cycle.
- The movement of energy is quantitatively analyzed through various pyramids, including numbers and energy pyramids.
Summary of Ecosystem Dynamics
- Nutrients are essential for life, aiding in the formation of proteins and fats.
- In a hierarchical ecosystem structure, energy diminishes as it moves up trophic levels, underscoring the interconnectedness of all living organisms.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards on Ecology Chapter 3. Learn about key terms such as ecology, biosphere, and population dynamics. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of ecological concepts.
