Ecosystems and Competition Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary effect of DDT accumulation in birds as a result of biomagnification?

Reduced reproductive rates

Increased mating opportunities

Fragility in their eggshells (correct)

Enhanced foraging ability

Which apex consumer has been identified as having the highest concentration of PCBs in the aquatic ecosystem studied?

Largemouth bass

Bluegill

Walleye (correct)

Trout

Which of the following substances is NOT mentioned as biomagnifying in aquatic ecosystems?

Heavy metals

Radon (correct)

PCBs

DDT

What recommendation does the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) give concerning fish consumption for pregnant women and young children?

Do not consume swordfish and similar high mercury fish Signup and view all the answers

How does the concentration of toxic substances behave as it moves up trophic levels in aquatic ecosystems?

It increases with higher trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

Which species is recommended for consumption due to its lower mercury content?

Salmon Signup and view all the answers

What do organisms in an ecosystem primarily compete for?

Limited resources like food and water Signup and view all the answers

Which ecosystem type covers the largest portion of Earth's surface?

Marine ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of deep ocean water ecosystems?

Presence of large numbers of plankton and krill Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following biomes is characterized primarily by tropical rainforests?

Terrestrial Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth's surface is comprised of freshwater ecosystems?

1.8% Signup and view all the answers

What role does phytoplankton play in the marine ecosystem?

They perform the majority of photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What primarily defines a biome?

The dominant plant types in geographic regions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of freshwater ecosystems?

Existence of lakes and rivers Signup and view all the answers

What is a significantly limiting factor for organisms within a habitat?

Seasonal weather patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of producers in a food chain?

They are the organisms that photosynthesize and form the base of the food chain. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly defines an apex predator?

It is a species that is not consumed by any other species. Signup and view all the answers

How does energy transfer between trophic levels in a food chain?

About 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed to the next level. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of using food chains to describe ecosystems?

Food chains simplify complex interactions among species and environments. Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms are classified as heterotrophs?

Animals that consume other organisms for energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is biomagnification?

The increase in toxic substance concentration at higher trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary energy source for photoautotrophs?

Sunlight Signup and view all the answers

Which trophic level consists mainly of herbivores?

Primary consumers Signup and view all the answers

In a food web, which of the following best represents the variety of feeding relationships?

A complex network illustrating multiple interactions among species. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of decomposers in a food chain?

They break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Competition in Ecosystems

Organisms compete for limited resources like food, water, sunlight, space, and nutrients.
These resources are essential for energy production and physical structure.
Competition occurs within a single species and between different species.

Environmental Factors

Climate (seasons, sunlight, rainfall), elevation, and geology play a vital role in determining which organisms can survive in a specific area.

Ecosystem Classification

There are three main categories: freshwater, marine, and terrestrial.
Freshwater ecosystems (lakes, rivers, streams, springs) are the least common, covering only 1.8% of the Earth's surface.
Marine ecosystems are the most common, covering 75% of the Earth's surface and encompassing shallow oceans, deep ocean water, and deep ocean bottom.
Terrestrial ecosystems are diverse and grouped into biomes, large-scale communities defined by dominant plant types in specific climatic regions.

Food Chains and Food Webs

Food chains represent linear sequences of organisms through which energy and nutrients flow.
Trophic levels (energy levels) are defined as producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and apex predators.
Energy is lost at each trophic level, with about 10% transferred to the next level.
Food webs account for complex interactions between multiple species and trophic levels, providing a more accurate representation of energy flows within ecosystems.

Energy Acquisition in Food Webs

Autotrophs (plants, algae, some bacteria) produce their own food using energy from sunlight (photosynthesis).
Heterotrophs (animals, humans) obtain energy by consuming other organisms, ultimately relying on autotrophs for their energy source.

Biomagnification

Persistent toxic substances accumulate in organisms at higher trophic levels through biomagnification (bioaccumulation).
This is a consequence of organisms consuming multiple individuals from lower trophic levels, resulting in concentrated levels of the substance in apex predators.
DDT, PCBs, and heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium are examples of substances that biomagnify.
Biomagnification impacts human health, influencing food recommendations and environmental regulations.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process used by autotrophs to convert light energy into chemical energy (carbohydrates).
Plants, algae, and some bacteria perform photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis provides the foundation of food chains and is essential for life on Earth.

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Description

Test your knowledge about competition in ecosystems and the environmental factors that impact organism survival. Explore different types of ecosystems, including freshwater, marine, and terrestrial, and learn about the intricacies of food chains. Good luck!