Introduction to Ecology
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Questions and Answers

What is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment?

  • Ecology (correct)
  • Zoology
  • Biology
  • Botany

    • What are the nonliving things that influence an organism?

  • Environmental factors
  • Abiotic factors (correct)
  • Biotic factors
  • Ecological processes

    • What is the term for all forms of life with which an organism interacts?

  • Ecological processes
  • Biotic factors (correct)
  • Environmental factors
  • Abiotic factors

    • What is the term for everything that affects an organism during its lifetime?

    <p>Environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the physical space in which an organism lives?

    <p>Living space</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary effect of limiting factors on species success?

    <p>They restrict species success</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the range of conditions in which an organism can survive?

    <p>Range of tolerance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a species having a narrow range of tolerance?

    <p>It can survive only in specific conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a limiting factor for plants?

    <p>Scarcity of water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between climate and species success?

    <p>Climate restricts species success</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the habitat of an organism?

    <p>The biological requirements of each particular organism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the niche of an organism?

    <p>The functional role of the organism in its surroundings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does an organism's niche include?

    <p>All the ways an organism affects the organisms with which it interacts and how it modifies its physical surroundings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between an organism's habitat and its niche?

    <p>The habitat is the physical space, while the niche is the functional role</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What affects an organism's niche?

    <p>Both its physical surroundings and its interactions with other organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of a keystone species in an ecosystem?

    <p>To maintain specific ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of bison on the biodiversity of American tall grass prairie ecosystems?

    <p>It increases the biodiversity of the site</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of bison wallows in American tall grass prairie ecosystems?

    <p>To retain many species of plants that typically live in disturbed areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do bison feeding patterns affect fire in American tall grass prairie ecosystems?

    <p>They decrease the frequency and intensity of fire</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of plant species are able to thrive when bison are present in American tall grass prairie ecosystems?

    <p>Only small plant species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the basic unit of heredity?

    <p>Gene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a group of organisms of the same kind living in a specific geographic area called?

    <p>Population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the number of genes in a population compared to an individual?

    <p>A population has more kinds of genes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of a species?

    <p>A group of organisms that can reproduce naturally among themselves and have offspring that also reproduce</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the characteristics of an individual?

    <p>Genes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process that determines which individuals within a species will reproduce and pass their genes to the next generation?

    <p>Natural Selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the changes seen in the genes and characteristics of a population over time?

    <p>Evolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of natural selection acting on a population over time?

    <p>Evolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines which individuals within a species will reproduce and pass their genes to the next generation?

    <p>Natural Selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key driver of the changes seen in the genes and characteristics of a population over time?

    <p>Natural Selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do most offspring die?

    <p>Because of a shortage of specific resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of individual variation in a species?

    <p>Some individuals have a greater chance of obtaining needed resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the percentage of individuals with favorable variations over time?

    <p>It increases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of the process described in the text?

    <p>The increase of favorable variations in the population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines which individuals will survive and reproduce?

    <p>Individual variation and access to resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of creating new species from existing ones?

    <p>Speciation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs when an entire species disappears?

    <p>Extinction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the reciprocal influence of two or more species on each other's evolution?

    <p>Coevolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of speciation?

    <p>An increase in the number of species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between coevolution and extinction?

    <p>Coevolution and extinction are unrelated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is thought to occur as a result of a species dividing into two isolated subpopulations?

    <p>Speciation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a species dividing into two isolated subpopulations?

    <p>Speciation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What leads to the formation of two isolated subpopulations from a single species?

    <p>Geographic isolation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism driving speciation?

    <p>Reproductive isolation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of the process described in the text?

    <p>Speciation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many species have gone extinct out of the estimated 500 million species believed to have ever existed on Earth?

    <p>98-99%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can cause the extinction of a species suddenly?

    <p>Toxic pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a species gradually losing out in competition for food?

    <p>Extinction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Over what time period can extinction occur?

    <p>Over thousands or millions of years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the reason for the extinction of a species that is otherwise healthy?

    <p>Toxic pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the status of the Arabian Ostrich?

    <p>Extinct</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which species is being reintroduced to help recover in Oman?

    <p>Arabian Oryx</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the conservation status of the Arabian Tahr?

    <p>Endangered</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bird species is at risk in Oman?

    <p>White-collared Kingfisher</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the conservation status of the Ghaf tree?

    <p>Not specified</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what level can coevolution occur?

    <p>At multiple levels of biology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of coevolution?

    <p>Grazing animals and grass species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the scope of coevolution?

    <p>It can occur at both microscopic and macroscopic levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between coevolution and species?

    <p>Coevolution occurs between species in an ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of coevolution?

    <p>It is a reciprocal influence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is predation?

    <p>A kind of interaction where one animal kills/eats another</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of prey adaptation?

    <p>It increases the prey's reproduction rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit for the predator in predation?

    <p>The predator gets food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of predation on the prey population?

    <p>The prey population decreases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do prey species evolve adaptations?

    <p>To protect themselves from predators</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for competition between members of the same species?

    <p>Intraspecific competition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for competition between members of different species?

    <p>Interspecific competition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary driving force behind competition?

    <p>Availability of resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common characteristic of intraspecific and interspecific competition?

    <p>Both species compete for the same limited resource</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a limited resource that can lead to competition?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to a less-fit species in a competitive environment?

    <p>It evolves into a slightly different niche</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main consequence of two species occupying the same ecological niche?

    <p>One species will eventually become extinct</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the driving force behind the evolution of a species into a new niche?

    <p>The presence of a competitor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a species occupying the same ecological niche as another species?

    <p>One species will eventually become extinct</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism behind the adaptation of a species to a new niche?

    <p>Natural selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is unique about each warbler species in the NE USA?

    <p>Their unique niche</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the unique role of each warbler species in the NE USA?

    <p>Niche specialization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of each warbler species in the NE USA having its own unique niche?

    <p>Coexistence and thriving</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of each warbler species in the NE USA that allows them to coexist?

    <p>Their unique niche</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key to the success of each warbler species in the NE USA?

    <p>Their unique niche</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a necessary condition for a symbiotic relationship to exist?

    <p>At least one species derives benefit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is not affected?

    <p>Commensalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many categories of symbiotic relationships are there?

    <p>Three</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed?

    <p>Parasitism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit?

    <p>Mutualism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a relationship where one organism lives in or on another and derives nourishment?

    <p>Parasitism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where do ectoparasites live in relation to their host?

    <p>On the host's surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an endoparasite?

    <p>Tapeworm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for an organism that lives in or on another and derives nourishment?

    <p>Parasite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of an ectoparasite?

    <p>Flea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the type of relationship in which one species benefits and the other is not affected?

    <p>Commensalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a relationship where both species benefit?

    <p>Mutualism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a mutualistic relationship?

    <p>Remoras and sharks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a type of relationship where one species is obligatory to another?

    <p>Obligatory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the relationship between fungi and plants?

    <p>Mycorrhizae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a community in ecology?

    <p>A group of interacting species in a defined space</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the defined space where interactions take place between a community and its physical environment?

    <p>Ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What interacts with the physical environment in an ecosystem?

    <p>A community</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is composed of a community and its physical environment?

    <p>An ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What two components make up an ecosystem?

    <p>Community and physical environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?

    <p>Converting simple inorganic substances into complex organic molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

    <p>Breaking down non-living organic matter into simple inorganic substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do consumers require as a source of food?

    <p>Complex organic molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What category of organisms includes those that break down non-living organic matter?

    <p>Decomposers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which category of organisms is responsible for producing complex organic molecules?

    <p>Producers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of food for primary consumers?

    <p>Plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of consumer eats both plants and animals?

    <p>Omnivore</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for an animal that eats other animals?

    <p>Carnivore</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do primary consumers eat?

    <p>Only plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the classification of an animal that eats plants?

    <p>Herbivore</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a trophic level?

    <p>A step in the flow of energy through an ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is biomass often used as a proxy in ecosystems?

    <p>Because it is difficult to measure energy loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to most of the useful energy in an ecosystem?

    <p>It is lost as heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between energy loss and trophic levels?

    <p>Energy is lost at each trophic level</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of useful energy is lost as heat in an ecosystem?

    <p>90%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the flow of energy through in a food chain?

    <p>One organism consuming another in a linear sequence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a food web?

    <p>A series of multiple, overlapping food chains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary component of a food chain?

    <p>Organisms occupying different levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of multiple food chains interacting?

    <p>A food web is formed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a food chain and a food web?

    <p>The presence of multiple, overlapping food chains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can a single predator have at the same time?

    <p>Multiple prey species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between a predator and its prey?

    <p>Predation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of a predator's diet?

    <p>Carnivorous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of predation on the ecosystem?

    <p>A change in the food web structure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of predators in an ecosystem?

    <p>To regulate prey populations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are organisms composed of?

    <p>Molecules and atoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to molecules and atoms in an ecosystem?

    <p>They are cycled between living and non-living portions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main components of an ecosystem?

    <p>Living and non-living things</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between living and non-living components in an ecosystem?

    <p>They interact and influence each other</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the molecules and atoms in an ecosystem over time?

    <p>They are cycled and reused</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary product of photosynthesis in plants?

    <p>Sugars</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the complex organic molecules in plants when eaten by herbivores?

    <p>They are broken down into simpler molecular building blocks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is produced as a by-product of photosynthesis in plants?

    <p>Oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of respiration in organisms?

    <p>Production of CO2 and water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the fate of the molecular building blocks in herbivores?

    <p>They are incorporated into the herbivore's structure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of decomposers in an ecosystem?

    <p>To remove atoms from short-term nutrient cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are carbon sinks?

    <p>Processes that remove CO2 from the atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where can carbon sinks be found?

    <p>In sediments, oceans, and bodies of plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process is involved in decomposition?

    <p>Respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when fossil fuels are burned?

    <p>Carbon is reintroduced into the active carbon cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does converting forests to agricultural land increase atmospheric carbon dioxide?

    <p>Because forests absorb more carbon dioxide than agricultural land</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels are burned?

    <p>Carbon temporarily removed from the active carbon cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of burning fossil fuels on the carbon cycle?

    <p>It introduces carbon from the long-term storage into the active cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of converting forests to agricultural land?

    <p>An increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do plants use during photosynthesis to produce sugars?

    <p>Carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a by-product of photosynthesis in plants?

    <p>Oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do herbivores break down into simpler molecular building blocks?

    <p>Complex organic molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is produced during respiration?

    <p>Carbon dioxide and water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is incorporated into herbivores' structure from plants?

    <p>Simple molecular building blocks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of carbon sinks?

    <p>To remove atoms from active, short-term nutrient cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during the decay process of decomposers?

    <p>Respiration and recycling of naturally occurring organic molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of molecules do decomposers recycle?

    <p>Naturally occurring organic molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are carbon sinks found?

    <p>In sediments, oceans, and bodies of plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of decomposers recycling organic molecules?

    <p>Removal of atoms from active, short-term nutrient cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of nitrogen for producers?

    <p>Ammonia (NH3)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of denitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>Converting nitrite to nitrogen gas (N2)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the final destination of nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>Atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>Converting ammonia to nitrate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is formed when nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N2) into a usable form?

    <p>Ammonia (NH3)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when too much nitrogen or phosphorus is applied as fertilizer?

    <p>The growth rate of bacteria, algae, and aquatic plants increases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a result of an increase in plants and algae in aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>Decreased oxygen concentrations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of toxic algae in aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>The death of fish and poisoning of humans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'dead zones' in aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>Areas with low oxygen concentrations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of the problems described in the text?

    <p>The application of too much fertilizer at the wrong time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of phosphorus atoms?

    <p>Rock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do plants use phosphorus to construct?

    <p>Necessary molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do animals obtain necessary phosphorus?

    <p>When they consume plants or other animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of decomposers in the phosphorus cycle?

    <p>To recycle phosphorus compounds back into the soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to phosphorus compounds after they are released by erosion?

    <p>They become dissolved in water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary consequence of burning fossil fuels?

    <p>Increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the likely outcome of applying excessive nitrogen or phosphorus as fertilizer?

    <p>Carrying of fertilizer into aquatic ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does converting forests to agricultural land increase atmospheric carbon dioxide?

    <p>Because forests store carbon for a longer period than agricultural land</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on bacteria, algae, and aquatic plants?

    <p>Increased growth rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between carbon dioxide and the atmosphere?

    <p>Carbon dioxide is sometimes added and sometimes removed from the atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily determines the kind of climax community that develops?

    <p>Climate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the activities of organisms on their surroundings?

    <p>The environment becomes more suitable for other organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a change that occurs in an environment due to the activities of organisms?

    <p>A change in the availability of food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the activities of organisms and the environment?

    <p>The activities of organisms change the environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of the succession of organisms in an environment?

    <p>A climax community</p> Signup and view all the answers

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