Ecology Unit Statement and Ecosystem Components Quiz

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What is the main focus of ecology?

Studying interactions between organisms and their environment (correct)

Exploring the history of human civilization

Investigating the structure of cells

Analyzing the properties of chemical elements

According to Ernst Haekel, how did he define ecology?

The science of climate change

The study of interactions among ecosystems

Analyzing the chemical composition of soils

Studying the interactions between organisms and their environment (correct)

What is commensalism?

An interaction where both species benefit from each other

An interaction where one species benefits but causes harm to the other

An interaction where one species benefits while the other is not significantly affected (correct)

An interaction where both species are harmed by each other

Which of the following is NOT a component of an ecosystem?

Trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of interactions among biotic components in an ecosystem?

They influence the energy flow within the ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an abiotic component of an ecosystem?

Atmosphere and hydrosphere Signup and view all the answers

What types of abiotic factors can influence the growth and distribution of plant and animal communities in an ecosystem?

Climate, topographic, and edaphic factors Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a group of organisms of the same species occupying a specific geographic area?

Population Signup and view all the answers

What are the abiotic factors related to climate that can influence ecosystems?

Light, temperature, humidity, and water Signup and view all the answers

What does an ecological pyramid represent?

Energy flow through different trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

How do lakes usually exhibit vertical stratification?

By having different water temperatures at different depths Signup and view all the answers

Which factor influences the growth of plants and animal communities based on its water content, nutrient condition, texture, porosity, and acidity?

Edaphic (soil) factors Signup and view all the answers

What does habitat refer to?

The place where an organism, population, or community lives Signup and view all the answers

How does the text describe niche?

The role that each species plays in its environment Signup and view all the answers

In ecological terms, what analogy is made between habitat and niche?

Habitat is the organism's 'address' while niche is its 'profession' Signup and view all the answers

What factors determine the ecological niche of an organism?

Where it lives and what it eats Signup and view all the answers

Why might there be a slight variation in the niche of tigers from different areas?

As different areas have different topography Signup and view all the answers

What happens if two organisms occupy the same niche?

They will compete until one is displaced Signup and view all the answers

What type of interaction occurs when two or more organisms share the same environmental resource that is in short supply?

Competition Signup and view all the answers

Which type of competition involves competition between members of different species?

Interspecific competition Signup and view all the answers

In predation, what does the term 'predator' refer to?

The animal that catches and kills its prey Signup and view all the answers

In predation, what does the term 'prey' refer to?

The organism that is hunted and eaten Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interaction involves one living organism feeding on another living species?

Predation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of most predators in terms of size compared to their prey?

Predators are usually bigger than their prey Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why light availability is greatly reduced below the canopy layer?

The thick foliage of the trees blocks almost all sunlight Signup and view all the answers

Which layer receives only 2-5% of the sunlight available to the canopy?

Understory Layer Signup and view all the answers

Why do understory plants have a more difficult time with pollination compared to plants in other layers?

They rely on insects for pollination due to lack of air movement Signup and view all the answers

Which layer has the densest plant growth and contains shrubs, ferns, and other plants requiring less light?

Shrub Layer Signup and view all the answers

What type of plants are characteristic of the shrub layer in a forest ecosystem?

Shrubs and ferns requiring less light Signup and view all the answers

Which animals are commonly found in the canopy layer of a forest ecosystem?

Monkeys, sloths, and birds Signup and view all the answers