179 Questions
What is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment?
Ecology
What are the nonliving things that influence an organism?
Abiotic factors
What is the term for all forms of life with which an organism interacts?
Biotic factors
What is the term for everything that affects an organism during its lifetime?
Environment
What is the term for the physical space in which an organism lives?
Living space
What is the primary effect of limiting factors on species success?
They restrict species success
What determines the range of conditions in which an organism can survive?
Range of tolerance
What is the result of a species having a narrow range of tolerance?
It can survive only in specific conditions
Which of the following is an example of a limiting factor for plants?
Scarcity of water
What is the relationship between climate and species success?
Climate restricts species success
What defines the habitat of an organism?
The biological requirements of each particular organism
What is the niche of an organism?
The functional role of the organism in its surroundings
What does an organism's niche include?
All the ways an organism affects the organisms with which it interacts and how it modifies its physical surroundings
What is the difference between an organism's habitat and its niche?
The habitat is the physical space, while the niche is the functional role
What affects an organism's niche?
Both its physical surroundings and its interactions with other organisms
What is the primary role of a keystone species in an ecosystem?
To maintain specific ecosystems
What is the effect of bison on the biodiversity of American tall grass prairie ecosystems?
It increases the biodiversity of the site
What is the purpose of bison wallows in American tall grass prairie ecosystems?
To retain many species of plants that typically live in disturbed areas
How do bison feeding patterns affect fire in American tall grass prairie ecosystems?
They decrease the frequency and intensity of fire
What type of plant species are able to thrive when bison are present in American tall grass prairie ecosystems?
Only small plant species
What is the basic unit of heredity?
Gene
What is a group of organisms of the same kind living in a specific geographic area called?
Population
What is true about the number of genes in a population compared to an individual?
A population has more kinds of genes
What is the definition of a species?
A group of organisms that can reproduce naturally among themselves and have offspring that also reproduce
What determines the characteristics of an individual?
Genes
What is the process that determines which individuals within a species will reproduce and pass their genes to the next generation?
Natural Selection
What is the term for the changes seen in the genes and characteristics of a population over time?
Evolution
What is the outcome of natural selection acting on a population over time?
Evolution
What determines which individuals within a species will reproduce and pass their genes to the next generation?
Natural Selection
What is the key driver of the changes seen in the genes and characteristics of a population over time?
Natural Selection
Why do most offspring die?
Because of a shortage of specific resources
What is the result of individual variation in a species?
Some individuals have a greater chance of obtaining needed resources
What happens to the percentage of individuals with favorable variations over time?
It increases
What is the outcome of the process described in the text?
The increase of favorable variations in the population
What determines which individuals will survive and reproduce?
Individual variation and access to resources
What is the process of creating new species from existing ones?
Speciation
What occurs when an entire species disappears?
Extinction
What is the term for the reciprocal influence of two or more species on each other's evolution?
Coevolution
What is the result of speciation?
An increase in the number of species
What is the relationship between coevolution and extinction?
Coevolution and extinction are unrelated
What is thought to occur as a result of a species dividing into two isolated subpopulations?
Speciation
What is the result of a species dividing into two isolated subpopulations?
Speciation
What leads to the formation of two isolated subpopulations from a single species?
Geographic isolation
What is the primary mechanism driving speciation?
Reproductive isolation
What is the outcome of the process described in the text?
Speciation
How many species have gone extinct out of the estimated 500 million species believed to have ever existed on Earth?
98-99%
What can cause the extinction of a species suddenly?
Toxic pollution
What is the result of a species gradually losing out in competition for food?
Extinction
Over what time period can extinction occur?
Over thousands or millions of years
What is the reason for the extinction of a species that is otherwise healthy?
Toxic pollution
What is the status of the Arabian Ostrich?
Extinct
Which species is being reintroduced to help recover in Oman?
Arabian Oryx
What is the conservation status of the Arabian Tahr?
Endangered
Which bird species is at risk in Oman?
White-collared Kingfisher
What is the conservation status of the Ghaf tree?
Not specified
At what level can coevolution occur?
At multiple levels of biology
What is an example of coevolution?
Grazing animals and grass species
What is the scope of coevolution?
It can occur at both microscopic and macroscopic levels
What is the relationship between coevolution and species?
Coevolution occurs between species in an ecosystem
What is a characteristic of coevolution?
It is a reciprocal influence
What is predation?
A kind of interaction where one animal kills/eats another
What is the advantage of prey adaptation?
It increases the prey's reproduction rate
What is the benefit for the predator in predation?
The predator gets food
What is the result of predation on the prey population?
The prey population decreases
Why do prey species evolve adaptations?
To protect themselves from predators
What is the term for competition between members of the same species?
Intraspecific competition
What is the term for competition between members of different species?
Interspecific competition
What is the primary driving force behind competition?
Availability of resources
What is a common characteristic of intraspecific and interspecific competition?
Both species compete for the same limited resource
What is an example of a limited resource that can lead to competition?
All of the above
What happens to a less-fit species in a competitive environment?
It evolves into a slightly different niche
What is the main consequence of two species occupying the same ecological niche?
One species will eventually become extinct
What is the driving force behind the evolution of a species into a new niche?
The presence of a competitor
What is the result of a species occupying the same ecological niche as another species?
One species will eventually become extinct
What is the primary mechanism behind the adaptation of a species to a new niche?
Natural selection
What is unique about each warbler species in the NE USA?
Their unique niche
What is the term for the unique role of each warbler species in the NE USA?
Niche specialization
What is the result of each warbler species in the NE USA having its own unique niche?
Coexistence and thriving
What is the characteristic of each warbler species in the NE USA that allows them to coexist?
Their unique niche
What is the key to the success of each warbler species in the NE USA?
Their unique niche
What is a necessary condition for a symbiotic relationship to exist?
At least one species derives benefit
What is the term for a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is not affected?
Commensalism
How many categories of symbiotic relationships are there?
Three
What is the term for a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed?
Parasitism
What is the term for a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit?
Mutualism
What is the term for a relationship where one organism lives in or on another and derives nourishment?
Parasitism
Where do ectoparasites live in relation to their host?
On the host's surface
What is an example of an endoparasite?
Tapeworm
What is the term for an organism that lives in or on another and derives nourishment?
Parasite
Which of the following is an example of an ectoparasite?
Flea
What is the type of relationship in which one species benefits and the other is not affected?
Commensalism
What is the term for a relationship where both species benefit?
Mutualism
What is an example of a mutualistic relationship?
Remoras and sharks
What is the term for a type of relationship where one species is obligatory to another?
Obligatory
What is the term for the relationship between fungi and plants?
Mycorrhizae
What is a community in ecology?
A group of interacting species in a defined space
What is the defined space where interactions take place between a community and its physical environment?
Ecosystem
What interacts with the physical environment in an ecosystem?
A community
What is composed of a community and its physical environment?
An ecosystem
What two components make up an ecosystem?
Community and physical environment
What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?
Converting simple inorganic substances into complex organic molecules
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Breaking down non-living organic matter into simple inorganic substances
What do consumers require as a source of food?
Complex organic molecules
What category of organisms includes those that break down non-living organic matter?
Decomposers
Which category of organisms is responsible for producing complex organic molecules?
Producers
What is the primary source of food for primary consumers?
Plants
Which type of consumer eats both plants and animals?
Omnivore
What is the term for an animal that eats other animals?
Carnivore
What do primary consumers eat?
Only plants
What is the classification of an animal that eats plants?
Herbivore
What is a trophic level?
A step in the flow of energy through an ecosystem
Why is biomass often used as a proxy in ecosystems?
Because it is difficult to measure energy loss
What happens to most of the useful energy in an ecosystem?
It is lost as heat
What is the relationship between energy loss and trophic levels?
Energy is lost at each trophic level
What percentage of useful energy is lost as heat in an ecosystem?
90%
What is the flow of energy through in a food chain?
One organism consuming another in a linear sequence
What is a food web?
A series of multiple, overlapping food chains
What is the primary component of a food chain?
Organisms occupying different levels
What is the result of multiple food chains interacting?
A food web is formed
What is the main difference between a food chain and a food web?
The presence of multiple, overlapping food chains
What can a single predator have at the same time?
Multiple prey species
What is the relationship between a predator and its prey?
Predation
What is the characteristic of a predator's diet?
Carnivorous
What is the result of predation on the ecosystem?
A change in the food web structure
What is the primary role of predators in an ecosystem?
To regulate prey populations
What are organisms composed of?
Molecules and atoms
What happens to molecules and atoms in an ecosystem?
They are cycled between living and non-living portions
What are the two main components of an ecosystem?
Living and non-living things
What is the relationship between living and non-living components in an ecosystem?
They interact and influence each other
What happens to the molecules and atoms in an ecosystem over time?
They are cycled and reused
What is the primary product of photosynthesis in plants?
Sugars
What happens to the complex organic molecules in plants when eaten by herbivores?
They are broken down into simpler molecular building blocks
What is produced as a by-product of photosynthesis in plants?
Oxygen
What is the result of respiration in organisms?
Production of CO2 and water
What is the fate of the molecular building blocks in herbivores?
They are incorporated into the herbivore's structure
What is the purpose of decomposers in an ecosystem?
To remove atoms from short-term nutrient cycles
What are carbon sinks?
Processes that remove CO2 from the atmosphere
Where can carbon sinks be found?
In sediments, oceans, and bodies of plants
What process is involved in decomposition?
Respiration
What happens when fossil fuels are burned?
Carbon is reintroduced into the active carbon cycle
Why does converting forests to agricultural land increase atmospheric carbon dioxide?
Because forests absorb more carbon dioxide than agricultural land
What is the primary source of the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels are burned?
Carbon temporarily removed from the active carbon cycle
What is the impact of burning fossil fuels on the carbon cycle?
It introduces carbon from the long-term storage into the active cycle
What is a consequence of converting forests to agricultural land?
An increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide
What do plants use during photosynthesis to produce sugars?
Carbon dioxide
What is a by-product of photosynthesis in plants?
Oxygen
What do herbivores break down into simpler molecular building blocks?
Complex organic molecules
What is produced during respiration?
Carbon dioxide and water
What is incorporated into herbivores' structure from plants?
Simple molecular building blocks
What is the purpose of carbon sinks?
To remove atoms from active, short-term nutrient cycles
What occurs during the decay process of decomposers?
Respiration and recycling of naturally occurring organic molecules
What type of molecules do decomposers recycle?
Naturally occurring organic molecules
Where are carbon sinks found?
In sediments, oceans, and bodies of plants
What is the result of decomposers recycling organic molecules?
Removal of atoms from active, short-term nutrient cycles
What is the primary source of nitrogen for producers?
Ammonia (NH3)
What is the role of denitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
Converting nitrite to nitrogen gas (N2)
What is the final destination of nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle?
Atmosphere
What is the role of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
Converting ammonia to nitrate
What is formed when nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N2) into a usable form?
Ammonia (NH3)
What happens when too much nitrogen or phosphorus is applied as fertilizer?
The growth rate of bacteria, algae, and aquatic plants increases
What is a result of an increase in plants and algae in aquatic ecosystems?
Decreased oxygen concentrations
What is a potential consequence of toxic algae in aquatic ecosystems?
The death of fish and poisoning of humans
What are 'dead zones' in aquatic ecosystems?
Areas with low oxygen concentrations
What is the primary cause of the problems described in the text?
The application of too much fertilizer at the wrong time
What is the primary source of phosphorus atoms?
Rock
What do plants use phosphorus to construct?
Necessary molecules
How do animals obtain necessary phosphorus?
When they consume plants or other animals
What is the role of decomposers in the phosphorus cycle?
To recycle phosphorus compounds back into the soil
What happens to phosphorus compounds after they are released by erosion?
They become dissolved in water
What is the primary consequence of burning fossil fuels?
Increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
What is the likely outcome of applying excessive nitrogen or phosphorus as fertilizer?
Carrying of fertilizer into aquatic ecosystems
Why does converting forests to agricultural land increase atmospheric carbon dioxide?
Because forests store carbon for a longer period than agricultural land
What is the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on bacteria, algae, and aquatic plants?
Increased growth rate
What is the relationship between carbon dioxide and the atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide is sometimes added and sometimes removed from the atmosphere
What primarily determines the kind of climax community that develops?
Climate
What is the result of the activities of organisms on their surroundings?
The environment becomes more suitable for other organisms
What is an example of a change that occurs in an environment due to the activities of organisms?
A change in the availability of food
What is the relationship between the activities of organisms and the environment?
The activities of organisms change the environment
What is the outcome of the succession of organisms in an environment?
A climax community
Learn about the basics of ecology, including the interactions between organisms and their environment. Understand the difference between abiotic and biotic factors that affect an organism's life.
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