12 Questions
Which of the following relationships between two species would be classified as commensalism?
A bird nesting in a tree, deriving shelter but not harming the tree
Which of the following would be considered a limiting factor for population growth?
All of the above
What is the term used to describe the stable, balanced community of plants and animals that exists at the end of an ecological succession?
Climax community
In the context of biogeochemical cycles, which cycle is responsible for the movement of carbon atoms through living and non-living components?
Carbon cycle
If an area has experienced a natural disaster that has removed all existing life and soil, which type of ecological succession would occur?
Primary succession
Which of the following terms refers to the role or functional position of an organism within its habitat?
Niche
Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem?
Consumers obtain energy from producers through cellular respiration.
In the context of trophic levels, what is the primary function of decomposers?
To break down dead organic matter and release nutrients back into the ecosystem.
In a food web, which of the following best describes the relationship between a predator and its prey?
The predator captures and consumes the prey for energy and nutrients.
Which of the following best describes the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain represents a linear sequence of energy flow, while a food web represents a network of interconnected food chains.
What is the primary reason for the decreasing biomass at higher trophic levels in an energy pyramid?
Energy is lost as heat during the transfer between trophic levels.
In the context of ecological interactions, what is the primary difference between competition and predation?
Competition involves a struggle for resources, while predation involves one organism capturing and consuming another.
Study Notes
Ecology Vocabulary
- Biotic: Refers to the living parts of an ecosystem.
- Abiotic: Refers to the non-living parts of an ecosystem.
- Herbivore: An organism that consumes only plants.
- Carnivore: An organism that consumes only animals.
- Omnivore: An organism that consumes both plants and animals.
- Producer: An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis.
- Consumer: An organism that relies on other organisms for food.
Ecological Interactions
- Symbiosis: A close relationship between two different species.
- Mutualism: A relationship where both species benefit.
- Commensalism: A relationship where one species benefits, while the other is unaffected.
- Parasitism: A relationship where one species benefits, while the other is harmed.
Ecological Concepts
- Ecology: The study of interactions between organisms.
- Producers: Organisms that produce their own food via photosynthesis.
- Consumers: Organisms that rely on other organisms for energy.
- Decomposers: Organisms that break down dead organic matter.
Energy Flow and Food Webs
- Food Chain: A sequence of who eats whom in an ecosystem.
- Food Web: A network of interconnected food chains.
- Energy Flow: The directional movement of energy through ecosystems.
- Trophic Levels: A hierarchy of feeding positions in a food chain.
- Energy Pyramid: A diagram showing energy flow through trophic levels.
- Biomass Pyramid: A diagram representing biomass at each trophic level.
Succession and Carrying Capacity
- Ecological Succession: A gradual change in species composition over time.
- Primary Succession: Begins in a barren area with no soil.
- Secondary Succession: Occurs in areas with existing soil and some life.
- Climax Community: A stable, balanced community of plants and animals.
- Carrying Capacity: The maximum population size an ecosystem can sustain.
- Limiting Factor: Factors that restrict population growth.
Biogeochemical Cycles and Biomes
- Biome: A large geographic area with similar climates and ecosystems.
- Biosphere: The sum of all ecosystems on Earth.
- Carbon Cycle: The movement of carbon atoms through living and non-living components.
- Nitrogen Cycle: The movement of nitrogen through living and non-living components.
Test your knowledge on key ecological terms like biotic, abiotic, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, producer, consumer, and trophic levels.
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