Ecology Concepts Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What defines a species in the biological concept?

Organisms that have similar morphological characteristics.

A group of interbreeding populations that are isolated from other groups. (correct)

Any group of organisms that can adapt to their environment.

Species that exhibit convergent evolution.

Which of the following is NOT a type of species concept?

Biological

Theoretical (correct)

Morphological

Ecological

What is an example of convergent evolution?

Cactus and Euphorbia developing similar adaptations. (correct)

Different species evolving from a common ancestor.

Lion and tiger developing similar hunting strategies.

Two species becoming genetically isolated from each other.

Which term describes the change in species composition of an ecosystem over time?

Ecological succession Signup and view all the answers

What is co-evolution primarily associated with?

The adaptation of one species due to close interactions with another. Signup and view all the answers

What type of organisms are referred to as photoautotrophs?

Plants that convert light energy to chemical energy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of herbivores in an ecosystem?

Animals that consume only plant material Signup and view all the answers

What by-products are typically released when organic compounds decompose or burn?

CO2 and H2O Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups consists of micro-consumers?

Fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes Signup and view all the answers

What do chemotrophs do in an ecosystem?

Capture chemical energy from inorganic materials Signup and view all the answers

In ecological terms, which variable does climate regime NOT refer to?

Soil composition Signup and view all the answers

Which category of consumers includes both herbivores and carnivores?

Macro-consumers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about producers?

They synthesize their own food using energy sources. Signup and view all the answers

What is a population in ecological terms?

A set of organisms of a species living in a specific area at a given time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes primary production?

It refers to the production of biomass by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes resource competition?

Utilization of a common and scarce resource by multiple organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What does the species-area curve illustrate?

Species richness tends to increase with larger area sizes. Signup and view all the answers

Which diagram represents the flow of energy through different trophic levels?

Pyramid of energy flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a saprotroph in an ecosystem?

To obtain energy from non-living organic matter. Signup and view all the answers

Which process is characterized by the formation of a new species?

Speciation Signup and view all the answers

How does stabilizing selection affect a population?

It preserves the most common phenotypes in a population. Signup and view all the answers

What does homeostasis refer to in biological systems?

The tendency to resist change and maintain equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

Which cycle describes the transformation of water within the biosphere?

Hydrological cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of illuviation in soil science?

The leaching of materials from one layer to another Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'immobilization' refer to in nutrient cycling?

The process of binding nutrients in the organic cycle Signup and view all the answers

What defines invasive species in a biological context?

Species that disrupt local ecosystems after introduction Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the study of organism distribution on islands?

Island biogeography Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a microclimate?

The climate influencing a specific small area Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of microdecomposers in an ecosystem?

To break down organic matter through enzymatic action Signup and view all the answers

What does producer respiration represent in an ecosystem?

The energy lost to the environment as waste Signup and view all the answers

Which equation correctly demonstrates the relationship according to the first law of thermodynamics?

Gross primary production = Net primary production + Plant respiration Signup and view all the answers

Net primary production (NPP) can be converted to which of the following components?

Primary producer biomass, plant litter and mortality, and herbivory Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the grazing food chain?

It involves energy transfer initiated by herbivores Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction of a detritus food chain?

It originates from deposited litter and involves macroconsumers Signup and view all the answers

What is a food web?

A series of interconnected food chains Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is consistent with the second law of thermodynamics?

Energy is always lost as waste in transformations. Signup and view all the answers

How does energy transfer through a food chain primarily occur?

Linearly, from one trophic level to the next Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Homeostasis

Biological systems resist change to maintain equilibrium.

Hydrological Cycle

Water continuously cycles through evaporation, cloud formation, precipitation, groundwater storage, runoff, and organismal storage.
Eventually returning to the ocean.

Illuviation

Accumulation of soil materials (clay, humus, iron) leached from one layer into another.

Immobilization

Withholding of energy or nutrients from the organic cycle.
Opposite of mineralization and mobilization.

Immigration

Arrival of new individuals into a habitat or population.

Importance Value

Sum of relative density, dominance, and frequency of a species in a community.

Indigenous Species

Organisms native to the area
A subset of indigenous species are endemic.

Interference Competition

An organism defends a resource, even when it is not in short supply.

Interspecific

Between individuals of different species.

Intraspecific

Between individuals of the same species.

Island Biogeography

Study of organism distribution and community structure on islands.

Lentic

Still water environments like ponds and lakes.
Also, organisms living in still water.

Lotic

Flowing water, like rivers and streams.

Macrodecomposer

Animals that eat detritus or litter, such as earthworms and termites.
Also known as a faunal decomposer.

Microclimate

Climate of small, specific locales.

Microdecomposer

Actinomycetes, bacteria, and fungi break down detritus or litter using enzymes.
They reduce it to small organic substances for cell uptake (osmotroph).
They also break down dead remains (saprotrophs).
Known as flora decomposers.

Microevolution

Changes in allele frequencies of a population over time.

Migration

Shifting of home range, often concerted and directional.
Occurs due to seasonal or environmental changes.

Moder

Type of forest humus layer where plant fragments and mineral particles form loose, net-like structures.
Structures are held together by arthropod droppings.

Population

Set of organisms of a species living in a locality at a given time.
A subset of a species within its geographic range.

Predation

Predator population (A) eats prey population (B).
Prey population is limited by predation.

Primary Production

Production of biomass by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs (plants).

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food (autotrophs – self-nourishment).
Also known as primary producers.

Productivity

Rate at which a group of organisms produces biomass.

Protocooperation

Two populations (A and B) benefit from each other, but the relationship is not obligatory.

Pyramid of Energy Flow (Trophic Pyramid)

Diagram showing energy flow through trophic levels in a food chain or web.

Pyramid of Energy

Diagrammatic representation of energy flow through different trophic levels.

Pyramid of Numbers

Diagrammatic representation of the number of individual organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Reservoir Pool

Large, slow-moving, biologically inert portion of a biogeochemical cycle.

Resource Competition

Organisms utilize a common resource that is scarce.

Richness

Number of diverse species occupying a particular area.

Saprotroph

Organism that gets energy from non-living organic matter.

Scrub

Small or low bushes or trees.

Secondary Production

Production by macroconsumer levels (animals).

Sedimentary Cycles

Involve phosphorous and other solid nutrients moving from land to the seafloor.
They return to dry land only through geological uplifting (takes millions of years).

Speciation

Formation of a new species.

Species

Group of actually or potentially interbreeding populations that are genetically isolated from other such groups (Mayr, 1971).

Species-Area Curve

Species richness tends to increase in roomier areas.

Stabilizing Selection

Mode of selection that counters mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift.
It preserves the most common phenotypes.

Stochastic Extinction

Extinction caused by a random environmental event.

Organic Substances

Complex carbon-based hydrocarbon compounds like glucose (C6H12O6), long-chain hydrocarbons (e.g. carbohydrates, cellulose), small hydrocarbons (pyruvate), amino acids (R-NH3), proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
They decompose or burn, giving off heat, CO2, and H2O.

Climate Regime

In ecology, refers to atmospheric variables like sunlight, rainfall (precipitation), temperature, humidity, and wind velocity.

Biotic (mode of nourishment)

Producers: Green plants, photosynthetic bacteria, chemosynthetic bacteria.
Macro-consumers: Herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, parasitic animals.
Micro-consumers: Fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes.

Living (biotic) components

Producers (autotrophs):
- Photosynthetic Organisms: Green plants (unicellular or multicellular) convert light energy into chemical energy (e.g., glucose) for food (photoautotrophs – light + nourishment).
- Chemosynthetic Organisms: Unicellular organisms (bacteria) break down salts and capture heat into food (chemoautotrophs – chemical + nourishment).
Consumers (phagotrophs), heterotrophs:
- Usually pass food through a mouth and intestines with undigested material expelled as fecal matter.
- Herbivores: Eat only plant material.
- Carnivores: Eat only animals; secondary and higher-order consumers.
- Omnivores: Eat both animal and plant materials.

Producer Respiration

Fraction of total food produced that plants use for maintenance, independent of biomass production.
This energy is not used for biomass production and is essentially waste.

Gross Primary Production (GPP)

Total food produced by plants.

Net Primary Production (NPP)

Energy available for transfer to consumers via herbivory and decomposers via litter/mortality.
NPP is calculated as GPP minus plant respiration (Rs).

Food Chain

Process of eating and being eaten, transferring energy through the ecosystem.
Grazing Food Chain: Energy transfer starts with herbivores, feeding on standing plant biomass.
Detritus Food Chain: Energy transfer starts with microconsumers who feed on dead plant and animal residue (litter).

Food Web

Interlocking pattern of interconnected food chains.

Concept of Ecosystem Efficiency

The Flow of Energy: Primary Production to Higher Trophic Levels
Food chain: Transfer of food energy from one trophic level to the next, linearly until it reaches the terminal consumer.
Ecosystem Efficiency: How effectively energy is transferred between trophic levels.

Species Biological Concept

Any group of actually or potentially interbreeding populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups (Mayr, 1971).

Species Concepts

Typological/Morphological: Based on physical characteristics.
Evolutionary: Based on shared ancestry and evolutionary history.
Genealogical/Phylogenetic: Based on genetic relationships.
Ecological: Based on ecological roles and interactions.
Cohesive: Based on the ability of a group to maintain its identity.
Biological: Based on interbreeding and reproductive isolation.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in a locality at any given time.

Conspecific Populations

Populations of the same species.

Adaptation

Any inheritable characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce (natural selection).

Types of Adaptation

Body parts or structures.
Colors (camouflage or mimicry).
Physiological functions (photosynthesis).

Types of Evolution Based on Adaptation

Convergent Evolution: Independent development of similar adaptations in two species with similar niches (e.g., Cactus and Euphorbia).
Divergent Evolution: Evolution leading to modifications of basic patterns for different functions (homologous structures), allowing descendants to occupy diverse niches.

Co-evolution

Species that interact closely may become adapted to one another through a process called co-evolution.
Can occur as a result of feeding relationships (e.g., Hawk moth and Madagascar star orchid).

Ecological Succession

Change in species composition of an ecosystem over time.

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Description

Test your understanding of key ecological concepts such as homeostasis, immigration, and competition. This quiz covers various terms and processes essential to the study of biological systems and their interactions. Perfect for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge in ecology.