General Science: Chapter 20

Population

All individuals of the same species within an ecological community

Ecosystem

Any community of living and non-living things that work together

Heterotrophs

Consumers of energy

What are the two types of Aquatic land

Freshwater and marine

Limiting factor

Keep population within an ecosystem at a certain level. Organisms that can tolerate those factors live there

Terrestrial ecosystem

Land based community of organisms

Taiga

Lower in latitude, largest terrestrial ecosystem

Open ecosystem

Ones that have both inputs and outputs

Autotrophs

Producers of energy

Tundra

Very high latitudes, marks tree line

Tree line

Where trees stop growing because it is so cold and minimal sunlight

An association between two different species where the symbiont benefits and the host is harmed is known as: A) Parasitism B) Symbiosis C) Commensalism D) Pathogenic E) Amensalism

A

Choose the set of factors that will most certainly lead to desertification. A) Drought, aggressive agricultural, and grazing practices. B) Drought, cyclone, and aggressive agricultural practices. C) Carbon sinking, drought, and aggressive grazing practices. D) Drought, plenty of sunshine, and greenhouse effect.

A

If a mosquito feeds on a bird that is infected with the West Nile Virus and then feeds on a human being who then contracts the virus, what role is the mosquito playing in the infection of the person? A) The vector B) The symbiont C) The host D) The pathogen E) The parasite

A

Population abundance is _______, while population density is _______. A) the total number of individuals; the number of individuals in a given space B) the total area the population covers; the total number of individuals C) the number of individuals in different age classes; the number of individuals in a given space D) the number of individuals in a given space; the total number of individuals

A

What are some of the negative effects of human environmental impact? A) Habitat fragmentation, starvation, habitat loss, and extinction B) Habitat loss, increased food availability, and over population C) Decreased food availability, habitat fragmentation, and decreased invasive species D) Habitat consolidation, obesity, and over population

A

What are the two main classifications of ecosystems? A) Terrestrial and aquatic B) Inputs and outputs C) Closed and open D) Biotic and abiotic

A

What constitutes a food web? A) A combination of food chains that are interconnected to create a network of feeding relationships. B) A sequence of organisms that feed on each other. C) A complex food chain that consists of omnivores who feed on both herbivores and other omnivores. D) A sequence of omnivores who feed on each other.

A

What is an ecomorph? A) A population that has recently evolved physical variations to adapt to a specific microenvironment. B) All of the populations that share the same fundamental niche within an ecosystem. C) A species that is found only in one specific ecosystem. D) A genus of organisms that all fill the same niche.

A

What is coevolution? A) Coevolution occurs when the fitness of two different species is tightly linked and these two species evolve in response to evolutionary changes in each other. B) Coevolution is when species with the same fundamental niche become specialists in a very specific area of the niche, which allows all of the species to coexist in the same habitat. C) Coevolution occurs when two different species evolve in the same way to avoid being preyed upon by the same predator. D) Coevolution occurs when two very different predators evolve similar hunting styles to feed on the same types of prey.

A

Which best describes an organism that can produce its own food? A) Autotrophs B) No species can do this C) Abiotic D) Heterotroph

A

Which of the following is NOT an effect of deforestation? A) Increased water vapor in the atmosphere. B) Soil erosion C) Increased carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere. D) Desertification

A

Which of these statements about abiotic factors is true? A) Abiotic factors influence survival of biotic factors. B) Categorizing abiotic factors is always straightforward. C) Biotic factors are not affected by abiotic factors. D) Each abiotic factor can only be found in one type of ecosystem.

A

Which statement is true of the biogeochemical cycle? A) All statements are true. B) It involves chemical processes. C) It involves biological organisms. D) It involves geological processes.

A

Emigration

Animal leaves its home because the habitat is no longer ideal for them and need a more suitable environment

Immigration

Any species intentionally or inadvertently introduced into an ecosystem other than its own

A population's carrying capacity is _______. A) the number of individuals being born into the population each year B) the maximum sustainable population size given the available resources C) the minimum sustainable population size given the available resources D) the average sustainable population size given the available resources

B

Dr. Smith is studying algae. Would she consider ponds in her research on ecological diversity? Why or why not? A) It depends on the size of the pond. B) Yes, because both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are considered when studying ecological diversity. C) No, because ponds are not considered an aquatic system. D) No, because scientists studying ecological diversity only study terrestrial ecosystems. E) Yes, because scientists studying ecological diversity only study aquatic ecosystems.

B

How many trophic levels does an omnivore feed on within an ecosystem? A) 2 B) Omnivores feed at all trophic levels. C) None, because the various trophic levels do not apply to omnivores. D) 3

B

The logistic growth model is a more realistic model because ________. A) it examines the birth and death rates only B) it factors in environmental resources C) it accounts for the abundance of the population D) it examines the immigration and emigration rates only

B

The temperatures in Siberia are very cold, and only certain organisms can live in this harsh environment. This is an example of ______. A) a limiting biotic factor B) a limiting abiotic factor C) a controlling abiotic factor D) a controlling biotic factor

B

The variability of life forms within a given ecosystem is known as _____. A) bioviability B) biodiversity C) deforestation D) desertification

B

What are some examples of ecological conservation efforts that can diminish the effects of human environmental impacts? A) Wildlife roads, zoos, and national parks B) Wildlife corridors, sanctuary zones, and urban gardening C) No poaching laws, industrial farming, and deforestation D) Habitat fragmentation, dams, and overharvesting

B

What is the effect of predation on prey? A) Predation doesn't have any long term effects on prey organisms. B) Predation is a strong selective force for prey organisms. C) Predation makes all of the individuals in the populations being preyed upon less fit. D) Predation will make prey organisms wait longer to reproduce.

B

What is the major difference between competitive exclusion and local extinction? A) In competitive exclusion, a species disappears completely from an area, while in local extinction a species becomes specialists in certain parts of a local area. B) In competitive exclusion, a species disappears only partly from a local area, while in local extinction a species disappears completely from that area. C) In competitive exclusion, a species disappears completely from an area, while in local extinction a species disappears only from a part of a local area. D) In competitive exclusion, a species specializes in certain parts of a local area, while in local extinction a species disappears from part of the local area.

B

What type of mimicry occurs when a harmless animal mimics a dangerous or unpalatable animal? A) Chemical mimicry B) Batesian mimicry C) Mullerian mimicry D) Coloration mimicry

B

What usually happens in a natural population as it approaches its carrying capacity? A) Niche differentiation. B) The growth rate of the population slows down. C) Nothing; the population will keep growing at the same rate. D) The population will migrate to an area with more resources. E) The population drops dramatically.

B

When a bee gathers nectar from a certain type of flower to make honey and in the process pollinates the flower, what kind of relationship exists between the bee and the flower? A) Serendipitous B) Mutualistic C) Commensalistic D) Parasitic E) Amensalistic

B

Which best describes the term biotic? A) Ecosystem B) Living C) Adaptation D) Nonliving

B

Which is NOT an example of an abiotic factor? A) Cloud cover B) Forest trees C) A hurricane D) Soil

B

Which is NOT one of the four types of terrestrial ecosystems? A) Taiga B) Tree line C) Tundra D) Grassland

B

Which of the following are abiotic? A) Wind B) All choices are abiotic C) Sunlight D) Water

B

Which of the following is a biotic feature of an ecosystem? A) Leaf litter B) Grass C) Soil D) Wind

B

Which of the following is an effect of deforestation? A) Deforestation helps in recycling nutrients. B) Deforestation decreases soil health. C) Deforestation is unimportant for medical purposes. D) Deforestation leads to stability of an ecosystem.

B

Which of the following is an indirect indicator that biologists can use to estimate a population's density? A) The number of previously tagged animals they trap B) Counting the number of nests in an area C) All of the answers are correct. D) Counting the number of organisms in an area

B

Which of the following organisms is a primary consumer of a prickly pear cactus? A) Vulture B) Harris's Antelope Squirrel C) Red-tailed Hawk D) Rattlesnake

B

Which of the following statements is true? A) Humans are never part of a biogeochemical cycle. B) Humans help recycle phosphorus when they eat plants. C) An element stays stuck in one place and does not travel around earth. D) The biogeochemical cycle does not involve biological organisms.

B

Which of the following statements is true? A) Rocks are not a part of the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. B) Human activities can impact the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. When fertilizers are manufactured and applied on land, they can speed up the phosphorus cycle. C) Bacteria are not a part of the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. D) Humans cannot impact the biogeochemical cycles of elements.

B

Which type of factors has the biggest impact on an organism's life history? A) Environmental factors B) Factors unique to the organism's survival and fitness C) Physiological factors D) Factors related to the predators of that species

B

How can you further categorize freshwater ecosystem

By depth, water flow, nutrient availability, temperature sunlight

According to the r/K selection theory, an r-selected species has which of the following characteristics? A) It is best suited to live in a stable environment, it is short-lived, and produces a large number of o spring, each of which receives little parental investment. B) It is best suited to live in an unstable environment, it is short-lived, and produces a large number of o spring, each of which receives a lot of parental investment. C) It is best suited to live in an unstable environment, it is short-lived, and produces a large number of o spring, each of which receives little parental investment. D) It is best suited to live in a stable environment, it is long-lived, and produces a small number of o spring, each of which receives a lot of parental investment.

C

Freshwater ecosystems are NOT classified by: A) Sunlight B) Temperature C) Salt content D) Depth

C

In a typical ecosystem, what percentage of the energy produced by the autotrophs then consumed by the primary consumers will be passed along to the secondary consumers? A) 0.7% B) 10% C) 1% D) 7%

C

What are some of the types of human activity that have negative environmental impacts? A) mining B) farming C) all of these are correct D) deforestation

C

What is commensalism? A) An association where the larger species benefits and the smaller species is harmed B) An association where one species is killed or inhibited, and the other organism is not significantly affected C) An association where one species benefits, and the other species is not significantly affected D) An association where both species benefit E) An association where the smaller species benefits and the larger species is harmed

C

What is dispersion? A) The geographical limits within which a population or individual lives. B) The seasonal movement of organisms over long distances. C) The pattern of spacing of individuals within a population. D) The maximum stable population size that can be sustained over a long period of time. E) When an organism leaves the place it originated in and moves to a different place.

C

What is niche differentiation? A) When geographic separation allows one species to evolve into two or more different species. B) When one species out competes another in a particular niche to exclude it from the niche. C) When more than one species with almost the same fundamental niche adapt to become specialists in different aspects of the fundamental niche. D) When one or more species find a new food source or other resource to exploit in order to avoid interspecific competition with similar species.

C

Which is the largest terrestrial ecosystem found on Earth? A) Grassland B) Biotic C) Taiga D) Tundra

C

Which of these is an ecosystem? A) A thunderstorm B) Sunlight C) A desert D) A school of fish

C

Which term best defines an ecosystem? A) None of these choices is correct B) All the biotic parts of an area C) A community of living and nonliving components D) The range where a species lives

C

Exponential growth model

Change in population size is growing at an increasing rate

What type of trees would you find in Taiga

Conifer

Sampling small population

Counting the number of organisms / area

A hurricane hit an island where the only trees were palm trees. What might a biologist say about the ecosystem after the hurricane? A) Because there were only palm trees, the ecosystem will regain its stability in a short amount of time. B) If the citizens are able to replant new palm trees within one year, the ecosystem will once again thrive. C) The future of the ecosystem depends on the state of the soil after the hurricane. D) Given that there was little diversity, the ecosystem will remain unstable for some time. E) The ecosystem will be even more productive after the hurricane.

D

Abiotic factors ______. A) are all living things in an ecosystem B) are only important if they are large C) cannot be studied D) come in a variety of sizes and types

D

Intraspecific competition usually gives rise to which of the following dispersion patterns? A) Clumped B) Random C) Either uniform or clumped D) Uniform

D

K refers to _______. A) the sex ratio of a population B) the density of a population C) the distribution of a population D) the carrying capacity of a population

D

We are only aware of 10,000 species of birds. Given that fact, where would an ornithologist most likely concentrate their research to discover new bird species? A) Antarctica B) A suburb in Moscow C) A zoo in Paris D) South American rain forests E) Central Park in New York City

D

What can an herbivore be categorized as? A) A detritivore B) A producer C) An autotroph D) A primary consumer

D

What do biologists think the most common reason for migration is? A) To avoid predation. B) To find suitable breeding grounds. C) To avoid freezing cold temperatures. D) Availability of food. E) To avoid interspecific competition.

D

What is a characteristic of animals that use chemicals for defense? A) They rely on Batesian mimicry for defense. B) They rely on Mullerian mimicry for defense. C) They usually use their speed for defense. D) They rarely use camouflage as a defense.

D

What is a population's range? A) The pattern of spacing of individuals within a population. B) The amount of time a population can survive at its carrying capacity. C) The amount of resources available to a population. D) The geographic limits within which a population or individual lives.

D

What is interspecific competition? A) When populations that have recently evolved physical variations to adapt to specific microenvironments out- compete all other species. B) When two or more members of the same species in a community are competing for resources. C) When similar species with similar niches become specialists in specific areas and create more than one specific niche, which allows both species to coexist. D) When two or more species in a community are competing for resources.

D

What is the biggest threat to biodiversity? A) Animal impact on natural habitats B) Human impact on un-natural habitats C) Alien impact on natural habitats D) Human impact on natural habitats

D

What is the definition of keystone populations? A) Populations that overpopulate when faced with habitat fragmentation B) Organisms we can't see C) The least important organisms in an ecosystem D) Those that form a central support within an ecosystem

D

What is the difference between species diversity and genetic diversity? A) Species diversity looks at the variety of ecosystems, while genetic diversity looks at how genes vary within a species. B) Species diversity looks at how genes vary within a species, while genetic diversity looks at the variety of ecosystems. C) Species diversity looks at the amount of different species in a place, while genetic diversity looks at the variety of ecosystems. D)Species diversity looks at the amount of different species in a place, while genetic diversity looks at how genes vary within a species. E) Species diversity looks at how genes vary within a species, while genetic diversity looks at the amount of different species in a place.

D

What might be the reaction of a botanist who discovered a new plant in the Saharan desert? Why would they react that way? A) They would be happy because that means water is nearby. B) They would be upset because biodiversity leads to ecosystem instability. C) They would worry about plants competing for limited resources like water. D) They would be happy to find biodiversity because that leads to ecosystem stability.

D

Which of the following is a definition of a biogeochemical cycle? A) The way that new elements are created on earth. B) The movement of elements in organisms' bodies only C) The way that elements are lost on earth D) The movement of elements through organisms and the environment

D

Which of the following is a key feature of the life histories of species that have a type III survivorship curve? A) Production of a small number of offspring, each of which receives a lot of parental investment. B) A high death rate in the oldest age groups. C) A relatively steady death rate throughout the species' entire life history. D) Production of a large number of small offspring, each of which receives little parental investment.

D

Which of the following is true of the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle? A) Phosphate ions can be soaked up by plants and be incorporated into their tissues. B) An animal that eats a plant can then incorporate phosphate ions into its tissue. C) Phosphorus can be released in the form of phosphate ions when exposed to water. D) All statements are true.

D

Which statement accurately portrays Monarch and Viceroy butterflies? A) Their bright coloration is an indication that they are fit individuals and help them find a mate. B) Viceroy butterflies make a tasty meal for predators, so they mimic Monarch butterflies which are unpalatable to predators. C) Their similar coloration is an example of Batesian mimicry. D) Their similar coloration is an example of Mullerian mimicry.

D

Why are forests described as carbon sinks? A) Because they give off carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributes to the greenhouse effect. B) Because they add to the greenhouse effect. C) Because they convert carbon dioxide into greenhouse gas. D) Because they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and prevent the greenhouse effect.

D

Closed ecosystem

Do not have any inputs (exchanges of energy from the surrounding environment or outputs

Grassland

Dominated by grasses, found except Antarctica

Population ecology is the study of _______. A) how populations interact with each other B) how individuals within a population interact C) population growth D) the spread of populations E) all are correct

E

Which of the following is true about amensalism? A) Amensalism occurs very rarely. B) Sea turtles and the algae that grow on their shells are sometimes considered to be an example of amensalism. C) In amensalism, one species is harmed and the other species significantly benefits. D) Amensalism only occurs between plant species. E) Amensalism sometimes happens when a bigger, more established organism outcompetes a smaller organism for resources.

E

Metapopulation

Group of populations that are spread by space but consists of the same species

Freshwater ecosystem

Lakes, rover, streams, wetlands, springs, and ponds. No salty water

Biotic

Living things

Temperate deciduous forest

Lower latitudes (than taiga), find deciuous trees (lots of leaves and colors)

Sampling populations that move a lot

Mark-recapture method (trap, mark, release, trap again, and if their pop grew or not)

Abiotic

Non living things

Marine ecosystem

Oceans & salt marshes. Very high salt content

How are Marine ecosystems further categorized by

Open water or coastal systems

Population ecology

Study that is concerned with populations and how they interact with their environment

Logistic growth model

Takes into account food, water, shelter, carrying capacity, density

Ecosystems are classified as either ___ or ____

Terrestrial or aquatic

What are the four main types of terrestrial land

Tundra, Taiga, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Grassland

Which of the following is biotic? A) All choices are biotic B) People C) Bacteria D) Frogs

a

Sampling large population

mark off several representative plots, count the individuals in each plot, calculate the pop. density based on sample plots