Questions and Answers
Define biotic and abiotic factors of the environment. Give an example of each.
Biotic- living ex: organisms of same or different species; Abiotic- non-living ex: factors such as sunlight, soil, temperature, and water.
How do ecologists define the term ecosystem?
It consists of all the biotic and abiotic factors in an area and their interactions.
State the competitive exclusion principle.
Two different species cannot occupy the same niche in the same place for very long.
Identify three different types of consumers. Name an example of each type.
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Describe the role of decomposers in food webs.
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What are food chains and food webs?
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What is a biogeochemical cycle? Name an example.
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Identify and define two processes by which water naturally changes from a solid or liquid to a gas.
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Define exchange pool and reservoir, and identify an example of each in the water cycle.
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State three ways that carbon dioxide enters Earth's atmosphere.
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List all the ways that a single tree may be involved in the carbon cycle.
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What are biomes?
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What is population density?
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Define immigration and emigration.
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Write the formula for the population growth rate. Identify all the variables.
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Describe exponential population growth.
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What are K-selected and r-selected species?
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Study Notes
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
- Biotic Factors: Living components in an environment, including organisms of the same or different species.
- Abiotic Factors: Non-living components such as sunlight, soil, temperature, and water.
Ecosystem Definition
- An ecosystem is comprised of all biotic and abiotic factors in a given area and their interactions.
Competitive Exclusion Principle
- States that two different species cannot occupy the same niche in the same location simultaneously for an extended period.
Types of Consumers
- Herbivores: Consume plants or algae.
- Carnivores: Consume other animals (e.g., polar bears, lions).
- Omnivores: Consume both plants and animals (e.g., humans, pigs).
Role of Decomposers
- Decomposers break down organic remains and waste, returning simple inorganic molecules to the environment.
Food Chains and Food Webs
- Represent feeding relationships within ecosystems, illustrating the flow of energy and matter.
Biogeochemical Cycles
- The recycling of chemical elements and water through biotic and abiotic components in ecosystems.
- Example: Movement of a chemical from organisms (bio) to the atmosphere or ocean (geo) and back to organisms.
Water Cycle Processes
- Water changes state through processes such as evaporation and sublimation.
- Water exists as vapor, liquid, or ice in various locations including the atmosphere and reservoirs like aquifers and oceans.
Exchange Pool vs. Reservoir
- Exchange Pool: A cycle component that holds an element for a short time (e.g., atmosphere).
- Reservoir: Holds an element for a long duration (e.g., ocean).
Carbon Dioxide Sources
- Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through:
- Decomposition of organisms.
- Human activities, such as fossil fuel combustion.
- Natural processes like volcanic eruptions and oceanic releases.
Tree's Role in Carbon Cycle
- A single tree contributes to the carbon cycle through processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition.
Biomes Definition
- A biome is a distinct geographic area characterized by specific species, encompassing various ecosystems like coral reefs or kelp forests.
Population Density
- Defined as the average number of individuals per unit area or volume.
Immigration and Emigration
- Immigration: The process of individuals moving into a population.
- Emigration: The process of individuals leaving a population.
Population Growth Rate Formula
- Formula: r = (b + i) - (d + e)
- r = population growth rate
- b = birth rate
- i = immigration rate
- d = death rate
- e = emigration rate
Exponential Population Growth
- Initially slow growth will accelerate as the population increases, leading to rapid growth in larger populations.
K-selected vs. r-selected Species
- K-selected Species: Thrive in stable environments; population sizes are regulated by environmental factors.
- r-selected Species: Live in unstable environments; exhibit rapid population growth but produce younger offspring that have higher mortality rates.
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Description
Explore the essential components of ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic factors, and the interactions between various consumers and decomposers. This quiz covers concepts such as the competitive exclusion principle and the structure of food chains and food webs. Test your understanding of these ecological concepts!