Ecology Study Notes

Ecology Study Notes

• Abiotic vs. Biotic: Distinction between non-living (abiotic) and living (biotic) factors in an ecosystem.

• Meniscus: Curved surface of a liquid in a container, often important in measuring volumes.

• Food Web vs. Food Chain: A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains, while a food chain shows a single path of energy transfer.

• Natural Selection: Process where organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

• Adaptation: A trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction in its environment.

• Producer vs. Consumer: Producers create their own food, while consumers obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

• Autotroph vs. Heterotroph: Autotrophs are producers, while heterotrophs are consumers.

• 10% Rule: Approximate rule stating that only about 10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next.

• Trophic Pyramid: Graphical representation of energy flow in an ecosystem, arranged in hierarchical levels (trophic levels), with producers forming the base and apex predators at the top.

• Calculating Energy Transfer in a Trophic Pyramid: Using the 10% rule to estimate the energy transfer between trophic levels.

• Photosynthesis Formula: The chemical equation describing the process by which green plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.

• Cell Respiration Formula: The chemical equation describing the process by which organisms break down glucose (sugar) to obtain energy.

• Climax Community: A stable, mature community that undergoes little change in species composition.

• Ecological Succession: The gradual change in species composition in a community over time.

• Primary vs. Secondary Succession: Primary succession begins on barren land, while secondary succession occurs on previously vegetated land.

• Pioneer Species: First species to colonize a barren or disturbed habitat.

• Nitrogen Fixation: Process where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a usable form for plants.

This quiz covers key concepts in ecology, including abiotic and biotic factors, food webs and chains, natural selection, and energy transfer in ecosystems. Test your understanding of producers, consumers, and the 10% rule within ecological frameworks. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their ecological knowledge.