Biology 1409 Unit 4 Review

Desertification

the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Biosphere

the regions on, below, and above the surface, and atmosphere of the Earth where living organisms exist. The biosphere can range from the atmosphere to a very cold environment and from the deep-sea vents of the ocean depths to a very hot environment.

What are the two phases of a J-shaped curve?

Lag phase: growth is slow because the number of individuals in the population is small Exponential growth: Growth is accelerating

Aquifers

a body of permeable rock that can contain or transmit groundwater

Species

a defining term given to a specific kind of organism. For example, humans are a kind of species who are different from the other species of animals or plants.

Salination

can be caused by natural processes such as mineral weathering or by the gradual withdrawal of an ocean

How is a chemoheterotroph different than a autotroph ?

Chemoheterotrophs do not get their energy from carbon, but break down organic or inorganic molecules to supply energy through chemosynthesis.

What is a climax community ?

- A community of organism that is more or less stable, and that is in equilibrium with natural environmental conditions such as climate.

How does a food chain differ from a food web ?

- A food web consists of many different food chains, since food chains only follow one path as animals find food

How does a native species differ from an exotic species

- A native species is an organism that has grown and is usual to the land, an exotic species has been added to the land and if growth of it amplifies it is called an invasive species.

How is a community different than a population

- A population is a group of a single species living in a certain area at a certain time, A community is all combination of all the populations in an area.

How does an ecosystem differ from a community

- A population of different species together is called a community, if you add abiotic factors, or non-living things in an environment, we get an ecosystem.

What is a keystone species ?

- A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.

Why is a photoautotroph considered to be a specific producer?

- Because they get their energy directly from the light source, not from carbon iodization or chemosynthesis

Briefly explain the differences between parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism

- Parasitism is the relationship where only one organism is benefited while the other is harmed - Commensalism is the relationship where only one organism is benefited while the other is untouched Mutualism is the relationship where both organism are benefited from the bond

Explain the difference between primary succession and secondary succession

- Primary succession is where an ecosystem starts to develop by the gradual colonization of lifeless abiotic factors, secondary succession occurs in soils that already developed and are ready to accept seeds making it a faster process than primary succession.

Species richness includes listing of ?

- Species richness is simply a count of species, and it does not take into account the abundance of the species or their relative abundance distributions.

How does an ecological pyramid demonstrate the 10% rule ?

- The 10% rule means that when energy is passed in an ecosystem from one trophic level to the next, only 10% of the energy will be passed on. An energy pyramid shows the feeding levels of an organism in an ecosystem and shows the loss as we go up

Explain the connection between niche and competitive exclusion principle ?

- The Competitive exclusion principle states two competitors cannot thrive off the same land unless their specific niches are modified to specialized in order to not compete for the same exact resources

Explain how a food web is composed of a grazing food web and a detrital food web ?

- The food web is kept functioning by allowing the top predators to be taken back as nutrients when they die into the main producers, which then keeps the other organisms alive

Define coevolution

- The influence of closely associated species on each other in their evolution.

Briefly explain the ecological niche of an organism ?

- The role and position a species has in its environment how it meets its needs and shelter

The level of nourishment within a food chain is called a ?

- The trophic level of an organism is the number of steps it is from the start of the chain

What is the main function of a decomposer?

- To recycle nutrients once organisms die and recycle nutrients in waste

What is the other name of a terrestrial ecosystem?

A biome or terrestrial ecosystem is a type of ecosystem found only on biomes also known as beds. Six primary terrestrial ecosystems exist: tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, tropical rain forest, grassland and desert.

Population

A group of inter-breeding organisms of the same species inhabiting a defined area is termed as a population. For example, the population of mice in a barn

Comunity

A group of interacting organisms of different species living in a given area is termed as a community.

Define replacement reproduction

A measure of population dynamics in which a couple only has two children to replace themselves.

How are renewable resources different from nonrenewable resources?

A nonrenewable resource is a resource of economic value that cannot be readily replaced by natural means on a level equal to its consumption. While a renewable resource is a resource which can be used repeatedly and replaced naturally. Examples include oxygen, fresh water, solar energy and biomass. New resources may include goods or commodities such as wood, paper and leather.

Explain the three main patterns of survivorship:

A type I survivorship curve shows individuals that have a high probability of surviving through early and middle life but have a rapid decline in the number of individuals surviving into late life. This basically means that most of the individuals will make it to adulthood but the proportion surviving into old age is greatly decreased. A type I survivorship curve is plotted as a convex curve on a graph. A type II survivorship curve shows a roughly constant mortality rate for the species through its entire life. This means that the individual's chance of dying is independent of their age. Type II survivorship curves are plotted as a diagonal line going downward on a graph. A type III survivorship curve depicts species where few individuals will live to adulthood and die as they get older because the greatest mortality for these individuals is experienced early in life. This type of survivorship curve is drawn as a concave curve on a graph.

How does a reservoir differ from an exchange pool?

Although components of the biogeochemical cycle are not completely lost, they can be held for long periods of time in one place. This place is called a reservoir, which, for example, includes such things as coal deposits that are storing carbon for a long period of time. When chemicals are held for only short periods of time, they are being held in exchange pools. Generally, reservoirs are abiotic factors while exchange pools are biotic factors.

What do the initials MDC stand for?

MDC-More developed countries

Explain the connection between abiotic factors and density-independent factors:

Abiotic factors such as weather and natural disasters are typically density independent factors. Abiotic factors can cause sudden and catastrophic reductions in population size. However, density independent factors cannot in and of themselves regulate population size because the effect is not influenced by the number of individuals in the population

List the five demographic characteristics that determine the biotic potential of a population?

Availability of resources Number of offspring per reproduction Chances of survival until age of reproduction How often each individual reproduces Age at which reproduction begins

Demograpgics

Availability of resources and certain characteristics of a population

Why are biotic factors considered density dependent factors?

Because the percentage of the population affected increases as the density of the population increases.

Explain how biological magnification occurs in a food chain.

Biomagnification: how DDT becomes concentrated as it passes through a food chain. ... The concentration effect occurs because DDT is metabolized and excreted much more slowly than the nutrients that are passed from one trophic level to the next. So DDT accumulates in the bodies (especially in fat).

List the three terms used to describe the spatial distribution of individuals in a given area?

Clumped, random and uniform distribution

List three common density-dependent factors?

Competition, predation and parasitism

List several examples of Nonrenewable resources.

Most fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas and coal are considered nonrenewable resources in that their use is not sustainable because their formation takes billions of years.

How is doubling time related to carrying capacity?

Doubling time is the length of time it takes for a population to double in size. The carrying capacity is the number of individuals the environment can sustain for an indefinite period of time.

How do the studies of environmental science and conservative biology contribute to the biosphere

Ecologists wish to develop models about the distribution and abundance of ecosystems within the biosphere. In conservative biology, ecologists study all aspects of biodiversity with the goal of conserving natural resources for the benefit of this generation and future generations.

How does the study of ecology today differ from previous methods of studying ecology?

Ecology began as part of natural history, but today ecology is also an experimental science.

What are biogeochemical cycles?

In geography and Earth science, a biogeochemical cycle or substance turnover or cycling of substances is a pathway by which a chemical substance moves through biotic (biosphere) and abiotic (lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) compartments of Earth.

What does LCD stand for?

LDC-Less developed countries

List the four stages of logistic growth curve:

Lag phase: Exponential phase: Deceleration phase:The rate of population growth slows because of increased competition among individuals for available resources Stable equilibrium phase: Little if any growth takes place because births and deaths are not equal

Indirect Values

Maintaining Biogeochemical Cycles In geography and Earth science, a biogeochemical cycle or substance turnover or cycling of substances is a pathway by which a chemical substance moves through biotic (biosphere) and abiotic (lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) compartments of Earth. There are biogeochemical cycles for carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and water; and there are human-induced cycles such as those for mercury and atrazine. In some cycles there are reservoirs where a substance remains for a long period of time (such as an ocean or lake for water). Waste Disposal . Removing and destroying or storing damaged, used or other unwanted domestic, agricultural or industrial products and substances. Disposal includes burning, burial at landfill sites or at sea, and recycling Provision of fresh water is the provision of water by public utilities commercial organisations, community endeavors or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes. Irrigation is covered separately. Prevention of soil erosion With soil erosion, the top layer of soil is worn away due to factors such as water, wind and tillage of farmland. Learn about soil erosion and how natural elements and human activities break up and transport soil. Regulation of climate Regulating services are defined as the benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes such as climate regulation, natural hazard regulation, water purification and waste management, pollination or pest control. Ecotourism tourism directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments, especially to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.

Direct values:

Medicinal value Drugs and Medicines are a direct value to biodiversity because traditional medical practices utilizes plants or their extracts directly, and pharmaceutical industry is more dependent on natural products Agricultural value Plants are a direct value to biodiversity because it is the fundamental value of providing food that can be harvested and consumed directly. Consumption value Fuel is a direct value to biodiversity because for a long periods of time, forests have provided wood which is used as fuel which is used for gas, warmth, cooking, and other industrial processes.

What is the main reason for climate change?

Most climate scientists agree the main cause of the current global warming trend is human expansion of the "greenhouse effect"1 — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Long-lived gases that remain semi-permanently in the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature are described as "forcing" climate change. Gases, such as water vapor, which respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature are seen as "feedbacks."

Explain how, many human activities, cause pollution.

Most of this air pollution we cause results from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and gasoline to produce electricity and power our vehicles. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a good indicator of how much fossil fuel is burned and how much of other pollutants are emitted as a result

Which two types of species is most likely to become extinct? Why?

Mountain gorrills: restricted geographical range, narrow habitat tolerance, small local population Northern Spotted owl: narrow habitat tolerance, small local population

How is primary productivity used to compare ecosystems?

Net primary production is the rate at which all the plants in an ecosystem produce net useful chemical energy; it is equal to the difference between the rate at which the plants in an ecosystem produce useful chemical energy (GPP) and the rate at which they use some of that energy during respiration.

Explain how Nitrogen fixation, Nitrification, and denitrification accomplish the conversion of Nitrogen gas into a usable form of energy.

Nitrogen gas is converted to ammonium, ammonium in the soil is then converted to nitrites. Then, nitrate turns to nitrogen gas which is then released back into the atmosphere.

List the two major types of ecosystems that compromise the biosphere.

One type, called abiotic, consists of nonliving components such as water, air, nutrients and solar energy. The other type, called biotic, consists of biological components—plants, animals, and microbes.

List several characteristics that separate an Opportunistic species from and Equilibrium species

Opportunistic species from and Equilibrium species Opportunistic: exhibit exponential growth, members of population are small in size, mature early, have short life span, and provide limited parental care for a great number of offspring Equilibrium: fairly large, slow to mature, fairly long life span

List the levels of biological organization in order

Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere.

Organism

Plants, animals, humans, bacterium, etc., and any form of life is known as an organism. It can be regarded as the complete framework of organ systems, organs, organelle and all other components which work in their own specific way in order to carry out the various processes of life.

What does it mean when a plant is called a "high responder"?

Responses of plant growth rate to nitrogen supply.

Salinization

Soil salinity is the salt content in the soil; the process of increasing the salt content is known as salinization. Salts occur naturally within soils and water

The orderly process of community change is known as ?

Succession

The regions of the world that contain the greatest number of species is called the.

Terrestrial biodiversity tends to be greater near the equator, which seems to be the result of the warm climate and high primary productivity.

Deforestation

The action of clearing a wide area of trees."a key aim is to try to halt widespread deforestation in the Amazon"

Explain how the absorption and reabsorption of the sun's rays cause the phenomenon called greenhouse effect.

The greenhouse effect is the process by which radiation, from a planet's atmosphere, warms the planet's surface to a temperature above what it would be without its atmosphere. If a planet's atmosphere contains radiatively active gases (i.e., greenhouse gases) they will radiate energy in all directions. Part of this radiation is directed towards the surface, warming it.The intensity of the downward radiation - that is, the strength of the greenhouse effect - will depend on the atmosphere's temperature and on the amount of greenhouse gases that the atmosphere contains. Earth's natural greenhouse effect is critical to supporting life. Human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels and clearing of forests, have strengthened the greenhouse effect and caused global warming. The term "greenhouse effect" arose from a faulty analogy with the effect of sunlight passing through glass and warming a greenhouse. The way a greenhouse retains heat is fundamentally different, as a greenhouse works mostly by reducing airflow so that warm air is kept inside.

Explain the connection between transfer rate and eutrophication.

The major influencing factors on water eutrophication include nutrient enrichment, hydrodynamics, environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, carbon dioxide, element balance, etc., and microbial and biodiversity. The occurrence of water eutrophication is actually a complex function of all the possible influencing factors. The mechanisms of algal blooming are not fully understood and need to be further investigated.Eutrophication can be defined as the sum of the effects of the excessive growth of phytoplanktons leading to imbalanced primary and secondary productivity and a faster rate of succession from existence to higher serial stage, as caused by nutrient enrichment through runoffs that carry down overused fertilizers from agroecosystems and/or discharged human waste from settlements

Ecology

The scientific study of the interactions of organisms with eachother and their physical environment

Name the three forms of fossil fuels.

There are three types of fossil fuels which can all be used for energy provision; coal, oil and natural gas. Coal is a solid fossil fuel formed over millions of years by decay of land vegetation. When layers are compacted and heated over time, deposits are turned into coal.

What is the connection between niche specialization and resource partitioning ?.

These two are natural adaptations to the pressures occurring in their environment in order to survive

Define Biodiversity.

Variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

Four of the more important resources in an enviornment

Water, Food, Space, Light

List 4 types of renewable energy sources.

hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar

Random Distribution

individuals are arranged without any apparent pattern

Uniform Distribution

individuals are spaced evenly throughout an area

Ecosystem

made up of both biotic or abiotic components of the environment such as the climate, landscape, animals and plants; interaction of a group of organisms and their environment, to be precise! For example, ponds, rivers, forests, an estuary and a grassland.

The diversity of a community includes

organism interactions and resource management.

Subsidence

the gradual caving in or sinking of an area of land

What is the main focus and purpose of Conservation Biology?

the management of nature and of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction and the erosion of biotic interactions.

Saltwater intrusion

the movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, which can lead to contamination of drinking water sources and other consequences. It occurs naturally to some degree in most coastal aquifers, owing to the hydraulic connection between groundwater and seawater

Clumped distribution

when individuals in a population are clustered together, creating some patches with many individuals and some patches with no individuals