GEC Elect 21.2: People and the Earth's Ecosystem Quiz

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What is the definition of an ecological niche?

The intimate relationship between members of the same species
The competition among organisms for the same resources
The process when other species develop a new habitat
The role played by a species in a biological community (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a type of species interaction described?

Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
Predation (correct)

What is resource partitioning?

The process when species compete for the same resources
The process when two species form a mutualistic relationship
The process when a species benefits at the expense of another species
The process when a species develops a new niche by exploiting resources differently (correct)

Which of the following is an example of interspecific competition?

A zebra and a giraffe competing for the same patch of grass (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of species interaction is described as 'one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped'?

Commensalism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are keystone species?

Species that play essential community roles (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between generalist and specialist species according to the passage?

Generalists are good at exploiting different environments, while specialists are good at living within a narrower set of environmental circumstances. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Liebig's Law of the Minimum, what determines the distribution of a species?

The single environmental factor in shortest supply relative to demand. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did Shelford build upon Liebig's work?

Shelford added that the single environmental factor closest to tolerance limits determines where a particular organism can live. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why today we know that for many species, the interaction of several factors, rather than a single limiting factor, determines biogeographical distribution?

Advances in scientific research have shown the limitations of Liebig's and Shelford's theories. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of Liebig's Law of the Minimum?

The single environmental factor in shortest supply relative to demand is the critical determinant in species distribution. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of tolerance limits relate to species distribution according to the passage?

Tolerance limits, along with the single limiting factor, collectively determine the biogeographical distribution of a species. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between environmental factors and a species' ability to survive?

Environmental factors have both minimum and maximum levels that a species can tolerate. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of indicator species in understanding environmental conditions?

Indicator species are organisms that can provide information about environmental conditions in an area. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of adaptation described in the text?

Natural selection and acclimation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between natural selection and evolution according to the text?

Natural selection is a mechanism that drives evolution. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the taxonomic naming system described in the text?

The taxonomic naming system is used to classify different species. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between resource partitioning and the evolution of ecological niches?

The evolution of ecological niches is a result of resource partitioning. (B) Signup and view all the answers