Introduction to Ecology quiz #8 Flashcards
Introduction to Ecology quiz #8
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What makes an organism a keystone species?
An organism is a keystone species if it has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem, influencing the structure and diversity of the community. Which type of consumer eats both plants and animals?
Omnivores eat both plants and animals. Which of the following statements about decomposers is true? A) Decomposers produce their own food B) Decomposers consume living organisms C) Decomposers break down dead material D) Decomposers are primary producers
C) Decomposers break down dead material How might an invasive species disturb an ecological community?
An invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, leading to declines in biodiversity and altered ecosystem dynamics. Which of the following includes only biotic factors? A) Sunlight, water, soil B) Plants, animals, bacteria C) Temperature, humidity, wind D) Rocks, minerals, sand
B) Plants, animals, bacteria Where is primary succession most likely to occur?
Primary succession is most likely to occur on newly formed volcanic islands or glacial retreats. What is another name for a primary consumer?
Herbivore Why does secondary succession happen much faster than primary?
Secondary succession happens faster because it starts in areas where soil is already present, unlike primary succession. What is the relationship between an organism's fundamental niche and its realized niche?
An organism's fundamental niche is the full range of conditions it can theoretically occupy, while its realized niche is the actual conditions it occupies due to competition. What sort of adaptations might organisms in the desert need?
Desert organisms need adaptations for water conservation, temperature regulation, and efficient energy use. What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment, including both biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors. What are abiotic factors in ecology?
Abiotic factors are the nonliving components of the environment, such as weather, soil, water, rocks, and temperature, that affect organisms. What is the difference between environment, habitat, and niche?
The environment is the total of all biotic and abiotic factors influencing an organism; the habitat is the specific place where an organism lives and reproduces; the niche is the organism's ecological role, including how it uses resources and interacts with its environment. What is a niche in ecology?
A niche is the ecological role or job of a species, including how it uses resources, interacts with other organisms, and the conditions it can tolerate. What does organismal ecology focus on?
Organismal ecology focuses on the behavior, physiology, and evolutionary adaptations of individual organisms. What is community ecology?
Community ecology examines interactions between populations of different species living in the same area. What is landscape ecology?
Landscape ecology studies the spatial arrangement and interactions among multiple ecosystems within a terrestrial area. What is global ecology?
Global ecology explores interactions among all of Earth's ecosystems and their effects on a planetary scale, focusing on the biosphere. How do abiotic factors of the present affect polar bears?
Present-day abiotic factors, like the availability of sea ice, impact polar bear hunting and survival. How has continental drift affected polar bear ecology?
Continental drift isolated polar bears in the northern hemisphere, shaping their current ecological interactions. How does a beaver's niche differ from its habitat?
A beaver's niche includes its habitat and its ecological role, such as building dams and creating new habitats for other organisms. What is an example of a question studied in population ecology?
An example is: How does the capybara population size change over time? What is an example of a question studied in ecosystem ecology?
An example is: How does precipitation affect capybaras in a wetland ecosystem? What is an example of a question studied in global ecology?
An example is: How does global climate change affect worldwide capybara distribution? How do biotic and abiotic factors interact in an ecosystem?
Biotic and abiotic factors interact to shape the living conditions, resource availability, and survival of organisms within an ecosystem. How does the niche concept help explain species coexistence?
The niche concept explains how species can coexist by occupying different roles and utilizing different resources within the same habitat. How do landscape and seascape ecology differ?
Landscape ecology studies terrestrial ecosystems, while seascape ecology focuses on aquatic ecosystems and their interactions. What role do abiotic factors play in determining an organism's habitat?
Abiotic factors like temperature, water, and soil type determine where an organism can survive and reproduce, thus defining its habitat. What is the significance of population dynamics in ecology?
Population dynamics help ecologists understand changes in population size, structure, and factors affecting species survival. What is the importance of energy flow in ecosystems?
Energy flow is crucial for maintaining ecosystem function, supporting life, and driving nutrient cycles. What is the relationship between a species' habitat and its survival?
A species' habitat provides the necessary resources and conditions for its survival and reproduction. What is the role of evolutionary adaptations in organismal ecology?
Evolutionary adaptations help organisms survive and reproduce in their specific environments, shaping their ecological roles. Why is the concept of niche multidimensional?
The niche is multidimensional because it includes all aspects of an organism's interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. What is the main difference between a habitat and a niche?
A habitat is where an organism lives, while a niche is its role and interactions within that environment. What is the significance of studying ecological interactions at multiple levels?
Studying multiple levels allows ecologists to understand complex relationships and processes affecting organisms and ecosystems. What is an example of an abiotic factor affecting a population?
Precipitation is an abiotic factor that can influence the size and distribution of a population, such as capybaras in wetlands. Why is it important to distinguish between biotic and abiotic factors?
Distinguishing between biotic and abiotic factors helps ecologists analyze the different influences on organisms and ecosystems. What is the role of the physical environment in shaping ecological communities?
The physical environment, including abiotic factors, determines which species can survive and how they interact in a community. What is the importance of studying global ecology?
Studying global ecology helps us understand large-scale environmental changes and their impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems. What is the relationship between an organism's niche and resource use?
An organism's niche includes how it uses resources, which reduces competition and allows coexistence with other species.
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