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Biology > Ecology Test > Flashcards

Ecology Test Flashcards

1
Q

ecology

A

the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment, or surroundings

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2
Q

biosphere

A

the combined portions of the planet in which all life exists, including land, water, and air

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3
Q

How do ecologists understand relationships within the biosphere?

A

they ask questions about events and organisms that range in complexity from a single individual to the entire biosphere

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4
Q

species

A

a group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring

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5
Q

populations

A

groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

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6
Q

communities

A

assemblages of different populations that live together in a defined area

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7
Q

ecosystem

A

a collection of all organisms that live in a particular place together with their nonliving environment

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8
Q

biome

A

a group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities

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9
Q

What do scientists use to conduct modern ecological research?

A

three basic approaches: observing, experimenting, and modeling. All of these approaches rely on the application of scientific methods to guide ecological inquiry.

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10
Q

sunlight

A

the main energy source for life on earth

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11
Q

what do organisms who don’t obtain their energy from sunlight use?

A

they rely on the energy stored in inorganic chemical compounds

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12
Q

autotrophs

A

plants, some algae, and certain bacteria. They can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to produce food

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13
Q

producers

A

make their own food

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14
Q

photosynthesis

A

carbon dioxide + Water, (light energy) = carbohydrates + oxygen
6CO2 + 6H2O , (light energy) = 6CH12O6 + 6O2

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15
Q

chemosynthesis

A

when organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

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16
Q

heterotrophs/consumers

A

organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply

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17
Q

herbivores

A

obtain energy by only eating plants

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18
Q

carnivores

A

obtain energy by eating meat/animals

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19
Q

omnivores

A

eat both plants and animals

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20
Q

detritivores

A

feed on plant and animal remains and other dead animal matter, called detritus

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21
Q

how does energy flow through an ecosystem?

A

in one direction, from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs (producers) and then to various heterotrophs (consumers)

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22
Q

food chain

A

a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

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23
Q

food web

A

links all the food chains in an ecosystem together

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24
Q

trophic level

A

each step in a food chain or food web

25
Q

ecological pyramid

A

a diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained in each trophic level in a food chain or web

26
Q

how much energy is available at each trophic level?

A

only 10 percent is transferred to organisms at the next level

27
Q

biomass

A

the total amount of living tissue within each given trophic level

28
Q

pyramid of numbers

A

shows the relative number of individual organisms at each trophic level

29
Q

biome

A

a complex of terrestrial communities that covers a large area and is characterized by certain soil and climate conditions and particular assemblages of plants and animals

30
Q

tolerance

A

ability to survive and reproduce under conditions that differ from their optimal conditions

31
Q

microclimate

A

the climate in a small area that differs from the climate around it

32
Q

what are the major biomes?

A

tropical rain forest, tropical dry forest, tropical savanna, desert, temperate grassland, temperate woodland and shrubland, temparate forest, northwestern coniferous forest, boreal forest, and tundra.

33
Q

what defines a biome?

A

a unique set of abiotic factors-particularly climate-and a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals

34
Q

canopy

A

dense covering formed by the leafy tops of tall trees

35
Q

understory

A

layer of shorter leaves and vines

36
Q

deciduous

A

a tree that sheds its leaves during a particular season each year

37
Q

coniferous

A

trees that produce seed-bearing cones, and most have leaves shaped like needles

38
Q

humus

A

a material formed from decaying leaves and other organic matter that makes soil fertile

39
Q

taiga

A

another name for a boreal forest

40
Q

permafrost

A

a layer of permanently frozen subsoil

41
Q

wetland

A

an ecosystem in which water either covers the soil or is present at or near the surface of the soil for at least part of the year

42
Q

estuaries

A

wetlands formed where rivers meet the sea

43
Q

photic zone

A

well lit upper layer of the ocean wear photosynthesis takes place

44
Q

aphotic zone

A

below the photic zone and is permanently dark

45
Q

besides the photic and aphotic zones, how do marine biologists divide the ocean into zones?

A

based on depth and distance from shore: the intertidal zone, the coastal ocean, and the open ocean

46
Q

benthic zone

A

the ocean floor

47
Q

tragedy of the commons

A

the idea that any resource, such as water in the ground or fish in the sea, that is free and accessible to everyone, may eventually be destroyed

48
Q

how are environmental goods and services classified?

A

as either renewable or nonrenewable

49
Q

renewable resource

A

can regenerate if they are alive or can be replaced by biochemical cycles if they are nonliving

50
Q

nonrenewable resource

A

one that cannot be replenished by natural processes

51
Q

sustainable development

A

a way of using natural resources without depleting them and of providing for human needs without causing longterm environmental harm

52
Q

what can human activities affect?

A

the quality and supply of renewable resources such as land, forests, fisheries, air, and freshwater

53
Q

soil erosion

A

the wearing away of surface soil by water and wind

54
Q

desertification

A

a combination of farming, overgrazing, and drought has turned once productive areas into deserts

55
Q

deforestation

A

loss of forests

56
Q

aquaculutre

A

the raising of aquatic animals for human consumption

57
Q

smog

A

a mixture of chemicals that occurs as a gray-brown haze in the atmosphere

58
Q

pollutant

A

a harmful material that can enter the biosphere through the land, air, or water

Biology (7 decks)

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