Science Olympiad Ecology Basics
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Questions and Answers

What is succession?

  • The replacement of one community by another, developing toward a climax (correct)
  • The increase in biodiversity
  • The process of natural selection
  • The decrease in population size

What is primary succession?

Succession starting with no soil

What is secondary succession?

Succession starting with soil but no vegetation

Define extinction.

<p>When a species has no more living members</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

<p>The differential survival and reproduction of organisms with genetic characteristics that enable them to better utilize environmental resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain stabilizing selection.

<p>A type of natural selection in which genetic diversity decreases as the population stabilizes on a particular trait</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is disruptive selection?

<p>Disruptive selection is a type of natural selection that simultaneously favors individuals at both extremes of the distribution</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define directional selection.

<p>Directional selection occurs when natural selection favors a single allele and allele frequency continuously shifts in one direction</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is artificial selection?

<p>The process in which breeders choose the traits they want</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define limiting factors.

<p>A factor that limits a population's growth; i.e. resources, shelter, food, and disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is biodiversity?

<p>The number and variety of organisms within one region (biome)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of succession with their definitions:

<p>Primary Succession = Succession starting with no soil Secondary Succession = Succession starting with soil but no vegetation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define exponential growth.

<p>Occurs when the growth rate remains the same while the population grows. It creates a J-shaped curve</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define logistic growth.

<p>Occurs when the growth rate decreases as the population grows due to density-dependent factors</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the greenhouse effect?

<p>When heat is trapped in the atmosphere due to greenhouse gases and Earth is warmed</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are invasive species?

<p>A species that has moved into an area and reproduced so aggressively that it has replaced some of the original species</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define acid rain.

<p>Rainfall made sufficiently acidic by atmospheric pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are biotic factors?

<p>Living components of an ecosystem (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define population ecology.

<p>The study of how populations interact with their environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is carrying capacity?

<p>Maximum number of individuals of a species or population a given environment can sustain</p> Signup and view all the answers

The formula for exponential growth is ___

<p>P(t) = P(initial)e^(rt)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Gause's law?

<p>All who use the same resource can't coexist</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define ecological niche.

<p>An organism's role in an ecosystem, including diet and reproductive method</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is ecological succession?

<p>Process in which an existing community is gradually replaced by another community</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Primary Succession

Gradual establishment of communities on bare substrates (no soil).

Secondary Succession

Reestablishment of communities in areas where soil already exists but vegetation is removed.

Extinction

Complete disappearance of a species.

Natural Selection

Organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more.

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Stabilizing Selection

Favors average traits, reducing variation.

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Disruptive Selection

Favors extreme variations, leading to two distinct phenotypes.

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Directional Selection

Shifts allele frequency in one direction, favoring a specific trait.

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Limiting Factors

Resource constraints that restrict population growth (food, shelter, disease).

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Carrying Capacity

Maximum population size an environment can support.

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Population Density

Individuals per unit area or volume.

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Exponential Growth

Rapid population increase with constant growth rate.

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Logistic Growth

Growth slows as the population approaches carrying capacity.

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Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem (animals, plants, etc.).

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Abiotic Factors

Non-living components (temperature, sunlight, water).

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Ecological Niche

An organism's role or job in an ecosystem.

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Mutualism

Both species benefit from interaction.

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Commensalism

One species benefits, other is unaffected.

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Parasitism

One benefits, the other is harmed.

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Type I survivorship curve

Low death rates early in life.

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Type II survivorship curve

Constant mortality rate throughout life.

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Type III survivorship curve

High mortality rate early in life.

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Acid Rain

Rain with increased acidity due to pollution.

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Invasive Species

Species introduced to a new environment, harming native species.

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Energy Transfer (Ecosystem)

Only 10% of energy transfers to the next trophic level.

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Gross Primary Productivity

Total energy captured by producers.

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Net Primary Productivity

Energy available to the next trophic level.

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Natality

Birth rate in a population.

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Mortality

Death rate in a population.

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Emigration

Movement of individuals out of a population.

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Immigration

Movement of individuals into a population.

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Community

Different populations interacting in a specific area.

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Ecosystem

Community of organisms and their non-living environment.

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Gause's Law

Species with identical needs cannot coexist indefinitely.

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Resource Partitioning

Species divide resources to reduce competition.

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Herbivores

Animals that eat plants.

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Carnivores

Animals that eat other animals.

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Omnivores

Animals that eat both plants and animals.

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Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organisms.

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Population Ecology

Study of how populations interact with their environment.

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Climate

Long-term weather patterns.

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Study Notes

Succession

  • Succession involves the gradual replacement of one community by another, progressing towards a climax community.
  • Primary succession starts on bare substrates with no soil, such as after a volcanic eruption.
  • Secondary succession occurs in environments where soil exists but vegetation has been removed, such as after a wildfire.

Extinction and Natural Selection

  • Extinction refers to the absence of living members of a species.
  • Natural selection leads to differential survival and reproduction of organisms better adapted to their environments.

Types of Natural Selection

  • Stabilizing selection minimizes variation and favors average traits.
  • Disruptive selection favors extreme variations in traits, leading to two distinct phenotypes.
  • Directional selection shifts allele frequency in one direction favoring a particular trait.

Population Dynamics

  • Limiting factors restrict population growth, including resources, shelter, and disease.
  • Biodiversity measures the variety of organisms within a biome.
  • Carrying capacity is the maximum population size an environment can sustain.
  • Population density is individuals per area or volume, influencing resource availability and competition.

Growth Patterns

  • Exponential growth occurs when the growth rate remains constant, illustrated by a J-shaped curve.
  • Logistic growth slows as the population reaches carrying capacity, forming an S-shaped curve.

Ecological Concepts

  • Biotic factors include all living components of an ecosystem, while abiotic factors include non-living elements like temperature and sunlight.
  • Ecological niche defines an organism's role, including its interactions and resource needs.

Ecological Relationships

  • Mutualism benefits both species.
  • Commensalism benefits one species while leaving the other unaffected.
  • Parasitism benefits one organism at the expense of another.

Graph Types in Population Ecology

  • Type I organisms (e.g., humans) have lower mortality rates early in life.
  • Type II organisms (e.g., birds) have constant mortality rates throughout life.
  • Type III organisms (e.g., fish) face high mortality rates at early life stages.

Environmental Impact

  • Acid rain is rainfall made acidic by atmospheric pollutants, causing environmental damage.
  • Invasive species negatively impact local ecosystems by outcompeting native species.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

  • Only 10% of energy typically transfers from one trophic level to the next in an ecological pyramid.
  • Gross primary productivity measures the energy captured by producers, with net primary productivity reflecting energy available after producer respiration.

Population Terms

  • Natality refers to the birth rate, while mortality is the death rate affecting population changes.
  • Emigration and immigration describe movement out of or into populations, respectively.

Community and Ecosystem Dynamics

  • Community consists of different populations in a specified area, while an ecosystem includes both biotic and abiotic components.
  • Gause's law states that species using the same resources cannot coexist indefinitely.
  • Resource partitioning helps reduce competition by dividing resources among similar species.

Climate and Environmental Factors

  • Climate is influenced by solar radiation, Earth's rotation and orbit, and continental arrangements.

Key Definitions

  • Herbivores focus on plant matter, carnivores on animal matter, and omnivores consume both.
  • Decomposers recycle nutrients by breaking down dead organisms, preventing nutrient depletion.

Population Ecology

  • Population ecology studies how populations interact with their environment, emphasizing growth patterns, community dynamics, and species interactions.

Summary

  • Understanding ecological principles such as succession, population dynamics, and species interactions is essential for studying ecosystems and biodiversity. Recognizing the relationships between organisms and their environments plays a vital role in ecology and conservation efforts.

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Description

Test your knowledge of ecology with these flashcards focused on key concepts such as succession, extinction, and more. This quiz will enhance your understanding of how ecosystems evolve and change. Perfect for students preparing for science competitions.

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