Pre-AP Biology Unit 6 Checkpoint Questions

Be able to discuss in detail human impact on ecosystems in terms of agriculture and fossil fuels.

~ Agriculture 1. Harvesting - promotes a loss of nutrients from that area.) 2. Fertilizers are good in that it replaces nutrients or bad because it could hurt the environment. 3. Critical Load refers to the maximum amount of nutrients that plants can absorb) (The extra fertilizer damages the ecosystem.) ~ Fossil Fuels 1. Can cause Acid Precipitation (It is Rain/snow/sleet/ice with a pH of < 5.6.) 2. Sulfur and Nitrogen oxides are the main causes and are released by burning fossil fuels. 3. It kills plants and leaches (nutrients moved away from the roots) the soil.

Understand and be able to read a boom bust graph... understand the interactions of the two species on the graph (see-saw)... survival of the fittest... and the importance of co-evolution... and what it is.

~ Boom-Bust cycles of Growth (This mainly describes a Predator/Prey relationship.) A. Shows the Lag-time for other species to adjust to a change in a species population number. B. The two population "lines" are chasing each other because of their direct relationship. C. Co-evolution - This relationship promotes natural selection as it will be the strongest that survive and reproduce, so each species is causing the other to evolve. D. "Survival of the fittest" is a phrase that originated from Darwinian evolutionary theory as a way of describing the mechanism of natural selection. The biological concept of fitness is defined as reproductive success.

Know the differences between primary and secondary succession and be able to apply information. (Logical progression of organisms and so forth)...

~ Ecological Succession - Change in community composition due to time and disturbance. A. Two types can occur within environments - 1. Primary Succession - This is "starting from scratch" using pioneer species - lichens and mosses. A. Hawaii going from barren volcanic rock to plush, tropical island. B. Pioneers make the dirt needed for the plants and birds bring seeds in their feces as they feed upon lichens. C. Lichens ---> grasses ---> bushes ---> gymnosperms ---> hardwood trees ---> Climax D. Climax Community - Hardwood forest exists all over the specific area. 2. Secondary Succession - This is "starting over at the grasses level" not from scratch. (Such as the farming of fields to grow crops.) A. Dirt already exists. b. Grasses ---> bushes ---> Gymnosperms ---> hardwood trees ---> Climax

Describe the "Competition", "Mutualism", and "Commensalism" Symbiotic Species Interactions.

1. Competition ( - );( - ) It is considered a negative- negative relationship. It exists because a resource is in small supply. A. Active competition drains energy away from reproduction. (So populations are smaller.) B. Two species cannot occupy the same niche. 2. Mutualism ( + );( + ) Considered a positive-positive relationship. A. This relationship promotes co-evolution, but remember that co-evolution can either be good or bad, such as the predator/ prey relationship... it is co-evolution too. 3. Commensalism ( + );( 0 ) Considered a positive- no effect relationship. A. Few exist in nature and it is hard to see if there is no reciprocal effect.

Describe the Predation's appearances/coloration.

1. Cryptic coloration - camouflage (like encryption) 2. Aposematic (warning) coloration - bright colors like reds or oranges 3. Mimicry - Batesian type - A harmless looks like a harmful organism. 4. Műllerian type - A harmful looks like another harmful.

How has biological magnification led to extinction and organism health issues?

1. DDT (insecticide) and PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) (two examples of Biological Magnification) use has led to organism extinct, health issues, and polluted water. 2. The DDT was used to kill mosquitoes, but it was going up the food chain and killing the Bald Eagle population. The DDT caused the bird's eggs shells to be paper-thin. So when the mother sat on the eggs to keep them warm; she ended up crushing them instead.

How are life tables and age pyramids used to study demography? *Be able to read and interpret an age structure diagram on the test

1. Demography - The study of population sizes and distribution. 2. Growth - This occurs by birth or immigration. 3. Decline - This occurs by death or emigration. 4. Life Tables - A. Provides Age Specific Traits for cohorts (individuals of the same age or demographic). B. These are expensive and time consuming to produce. (Like the U.S. census.)

Know what is meant by density dependent and density independent limiting factors.

1. Density Dependent are mostly living (biotic) things - There are many types of density dependent limiting factors such as: availability of food, predation, disease, and migration. Any factor limiting the size of a population whose effect is dependent on the number of individuals in the population. 2. Density Independent are mostly non-living (abiotic) things. (Sunlight, soil nutrients, wind, rain) - any factor limiting the size of a population whose effect is not dependent on the number of individuals in the population. Two examples is a tornado or earthquake, which will kill all members of the population regardless of whether the population is small or large.

How does water help control the temperature of earth?

1. Oceans - These act as heat banks. (Coastal/island areas generally warmer than interior areas) Oceans absorb the sunlight's energy (so we don't fry) during the day and releases the energy at night to keep the dark side of the planet warm. 2. Ponds and lakes - stratification of temperature creates layers of differing temperature within the body of water and this leads to thermoclines and turnover of nutrients and O2. This is ultimately due to seasonal changes in temperature. Warmer water rises and colder water sinks. Ice on the surfaces helps prevent this in winter so that the whole body of water does not freeze and thereby kill all life forms in the body of water. 3. Thermocline - These are temperature gradients (layers) that occur within a body of water as water heats or cools.

Describe the "Predation" Symbiotic Species Interactions.

1. Predation ( + );( - ) Considered a positive - negative relationship. A. Normal predation - Carnivore or Omnivore eats an herbivore. B. Herbivory - Eating plants is also considered predation...since they are a different species. C. Parasitism - Death does not occur; but harm is done to another species. D. Two types: 1) Ectoparasites - These attack from the outside. (mosquito) 2) Endoparasite - These attack from the inside. (tapeworm) F. Adaptations for being a predator - claws, teeth, poisons, fast locomotion, muscular (All help kill.) G. Self defense adaptations against predators - long legs, faster, flight, horns, coloration, very good smell

Know all terms associated with the trophic feeding levels.

1. Primary Producers (Organisms that can perform photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.) A. These organisms take the inorganic and convert it into organic energy storing molecules. These molecules will then be available to other organisms through the food chains. 2. Consumers (A.K.A. Heterotrophes) - A. Different levels can occur such as: 1' (primary), 2' (secondary), 3' (tertiary), 4' (quaternary), etc. B. Primary consumers (herbivores) feed upon producers. C. Secondary consumers feed upon primary consumers. D. Tertiary consumers feed upon secondary and so forth along the chain. 3. Decomposers (A.K.A. Detritivores) - These organisms feed on dead organic material - which is called detritus. A. They take dead decaying organic material (detritus) and convert it back to the inorganic state for recycling and use by the primary consumers.

Survivorship curves... be sure you understand the three types and what they mean... be able to read one...

1. Type I (Many young ---> numerous middle ---> few old) This environment favors the young and usually indicates that the environment is favorable and organism is usually at top of food chain and there seems to be extensive parental care and Energy investment. 2. Type II (Constant decline) This indicates that the environment is relatively favorable but organism may be a food source for another organism. The parental care is modest. 3. Type III (Many young ---> few middle and old) This indicates a harsh environment because most of the population dies at an early age. This indicates that they are a food source that is low on the food chain as well as have practically no parental investment. Young are left to fend for themselves.

Describe the levels of organization in ecology beginning with the smallest (organism/species) and ending with the largest (biome).

A. Organismal - looks at morphology (bodily structure), behavior, and distribution of organisms. B. Population - looks at abundance within an area. (At the same time and showing signs of reproduction) C. Community - looks at species interacting. (Predation, competition, symbiosis) D. Ecosystem - looks at the biotic factors interacting with the abiotic factors. (E flow and cycling of nutrients) E. Landscape - looks at the arrangement of ecosystems within a given area. (Mountainscapes and seascapes) F. Biosphere - looks at global interactions between biotic and abiotic factors. Smallest to Largest: Organismal, Population, Ecosystem, Landscape, Biosphere (biome)

Know the difference between biotic and abiotic factors; be able to apply and list examples.

Abiotic Factors - environmental factors that are without life. Examples: temperature, light, water, nutrients, soil, and wind. Biotic Factors - environmental factors that possess life. Examples: bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, animals, competition, and symbiosis.

How do animals get the abiotic nutrients they need from the soil?

Animals get abiotic nutrients from the soil by eating plants. Plants get their nutrients from the soil by using their roots.

Understand the species of the biogeochemical cycles and their importance to the macromolecules of life.

Biogeochemical Cycles refer to the cycling of matter. Importance to the Macromolecules of life - There are 5 macromolecules of life: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Carbon Cycle: Carbon is found in all organic macromolecules and is an important constituent of fossil fuels. Water Cycle: Water contains hydrogen and oxygen (which is essential to all living processes). Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen is a major component of our nucleic acids and proteins. Phosphorus Cycle: Phosphorus is also a major component of nucleic acids.

What is meant by biogeography? (there are three main things you should associate with this term)...be apply to recognize application of this term in all three associations).

Biogeography - the distribution of species and distribution patterns seen within an area as well as the species richness 1. Normal species - species that evolved in the defined area. (Also referred to as indigenous or native species) 2. Transplant species - species from another area living in a foreign environment. 3. Species richness - number of different species within that area.

What is Biological Magnification? How does it occur? Why do higher trophic organisms accumulate more poison in their systems than lower trophic organisms?

Biological Magnification is the buildup of poisons and heavy metals in organisms. The higher up the food chain you get, the more concentrated the poisons get, which causes health and reproductive problems. It occurs whenever harmful poisons are released into the environment, such as pesticides and fossil fuels. Higher trophic organisms accumulate more poison in their systems than lower trophic organisms because of the higher trophic levels have to eat more of the lower trophic levels to get the correct amount of energy to live (10% rule). Therefore, they eat obtain poison.

What are three differences on the organismal level in body morphology?

Bodily structure, behavior, and distribution of organisms. (?)

Be able to interpret population data relating to species richness and relative abundance.

Community - This term refers to a collection of interacting populations within the same given area. A. Species Richness - Refers to the number of different species within a given area. B. Relative Abundance - Refers to the population size for each species within that given area. 1. Rare - few exist; common - many exist

What is meant by dispersion? Describe the three patterns of dispersion and their importance in terms of results.

Dispersion - This term refers to where within the boundaries the organisms are located. Three Patterns of Dispersion - 1. Clumped - This usually results from a need for nutrients, mating, or employment. 2. Uniform (evenly) - This usually results from territoriality or favorable environment. 3. Random - There is no apparent reason seen for the dispersion pattern.

Population Ecology can be represented on two types of curves: Exponential Growth Curves/Ideal Growth & Density Independent Species and Logistic Growth Curves/Realistic Growth/Density Dependent Species. Know shapes, and names associated with each phase of the EXPONENTIAL GROWTH CURVES. Be able to interpret the curve meanings.

Exponential Growth Models (Ideal Growth) 1. Involves r-selection species. (r - think rapid growth) 2. These species are also referred to as Density - independent species a. Their population size is related to resources not number of organisms. 3. Produces a J curve graph. 4. Their environment has unlimited resources. (Good for ideal growth) 1. ZPG (Zero Population Growth) (r = 0) 2. Intrinsic growth = rmax (Population is growing as fast as possible/doubling. This is seen as the curve begins to make a straight-up curve.)

Compare the flow of matter through an ecosystem to the flow of energy through an ecosystem.

Flow of Matter through an Ecosystem: Nutrients are recycled in ecosystems. (This is the Law of Conservation of Matter.) Matter is neither created nor destroyed...just transformed or transferred. This will be seen in the Biogeochemical cycles in the next section. Flow of Energy through an Ecosystem: The 10% rule of Energy (90% of all energy is lost as heat by metabolism of that organism (80% - the actual keeping alive of the organism and 10% - waste); 10% of the energy is passed on to next trophic level each time.) The energy that was used to keep the organism alive was ultimately converted to heat energy and released to the environment. Energy is neither created nor destroyed... just transformed or transferred. (Law of Conservation)

What is the differences between a food chain and a food web?

Food chains - demonstrate an orderly flow of who eats whom. (Producers eaten by consumers, consumers and producers broken down by decomposers.) Food web - A model showing all possible feeding relationships that could exist within an area. (A food web is essentially interacting food chains.)

In studying demography, immigration and emigration are considered. What is meant by these two terms?

Immigration - To enter into a new area Emigration - To exit an area

All ecosystems must abide by the Law of Conservation of Matter and Second Law of Thermodynamics. What is meant by each?

Law of Conservation of Matter - Matter is neither created nor destroyed... only transferred and transformed. The Second Law of Thermodynamics - All Energy proceeds towards a state of Entropy with each transfer.

Population Ecology can be represented on two types of curves: Exponential Growth Curves/Ideal Growth & Density Independent Species and Logistic Growth Curves/Realistic Growth/Density Dependent Species. Know shapes and names associated with each phase of the LOGISTIC GROWTH CURVES. Be able to interpret the curve meanings.

Logistic Growth Model (Realistic Growth) A. Involves K-selection species. (K refers to a population that is hovering around the carrying capacity "which is represented by "K") B. These are referred to as Density - dependent species. C. These species numbers are about the number of organisms in a given area because of limited resources therefore the species is near the carrying capacity for that environment. D. Produces an S curve graph. ("snakes" around the carrying capacity line) F. Environment has limited resources; that is why organisms stay around the K. G. More organisms than K means damage WILL be done to the environment. F. More damage done to environment can cause K to drop even farther. This can be an example of a positive feedback loop.

As the depth of water increases what happens to the light and plant activity?

Photic Zone - This is the upper region with light penetration. ("photo" means "having light") Aphotic Zone- This is the lower region without light penetration. ("Aphoto" means "having no light") Benthic Zone - Bottom of the ocean. (Benthos - communities of bottom dwelling, detritus feeding organisms) Abyss - These are the deepest parts of the Benthic Zone. (Deep sea trenches mostly) The deeper/darker the water, the less organisms there are.

What does population ecology focus on?

Population Ecology looks at abundance within an area. (At the same time and showing signs of reproduction) It is a field of Biology that deals with species populations and the population's environment.

Discuss rising CO2 levels on earth and how humans have played a role in this... why are they not being removed from the atmosphere?

Rising Atmospheric CO2 levels - 1. Deforestation and Fossil Fuels (No trees to pull CO2 out of the air and fossil fuels releasing it.) 2. The Greenhouse Effect 3. Ozone Depletion and CFC's (Chloro-fluro-carbons are propellants found in aerosol cans and refrigerants.) 4. Each CFC can destroy up to 100,000 Ozone molecules (It is a chain reaction.) 5. Ozone helps block out harmful radiation from the sun, so we don't burn up..

What is the most important abiotic factor for all organisms?

Sunlight (it is the main/ultimate energy source) which fuels the producers allowing them to grow and reproduce. More producers = more consumers

List the 4 types of symbiotic species interactions.

Symbiotic Interspecific Interactions - Interactions between two different species. 4 types of Symbiotic Species Interactions - Competition, Predation, Mutualism, and Commensalism.

Know the 10% Law and be able to apply it.

The 10% rule of Energy (90% of all energy is lost as heat by metabolism of that organism; 10% of the energy is passed on to next trophic level each time.) For example: 10,000 joules of Energy (Grass/flower... Producers) 1000 joules of E (Grasshopper) - Primary Consumer 100 joules of E (Mouse) - Secondary Consumer 10 joules of E (Snake) - Tertiary Consumer

The Tropical Rainforests are the richest place on Earth in terms of all living organisms. What makes this biome so productive and life promoting?

The abundant sunlight, warm temperatures, and daily rain lead to a fast turnover of nutrients, and plant growth is rapid. The plant growth leads to more producers whch leads to more consumers.

Understand the details of the nitrogen cycle and the roles of the different bacteria for the use of nitrogen to other organisms. Also be able to relate the places where the macromolecules of life can be seen in the nitrogen cycle.

The majority of nitrogen is removed from the air by water. The gas is dissolved in the rain or snow. Nitrogen Fixation - the nitrogen in the water mainly is consumed by Nitrogen Fixing bacteria, in the soil, that convert it into ammonium (NH4). The ammonium can then be absorbed by plants to help make proteins and DNA or RNA. Nitrification - some ammonium (NH4) in the soil is also consumed by Nitrifying Bacteria, and converted to Nitrite (NO2) first and then ultimately into Nitrate (NO3). The nitrates are also absorbed by the plants, just as was the ammonium. (The plants ate the nitrates and ammonium, but not the nitrites.) Denitrifying Bacteria - Some other bacteria in the soil can also eat the nitrates. Denitrification - They consume the nitrates and break them down into Oxygen gas (O2) and Nitrogen gas (N2) and both are returned to the air to be used again. As plants are eaten by animals, the nitrogen travels through the food chain. When all life forms die, the bodies decompose and create ammonia (NH3), which is why they smell bad. Ammonification - The ammonia is converted by bacteria into ammonium to be used again by plants and bacteria.

Nitrogen Cycle Summary:

The nitrogen cycle involves three major steps: nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification. Nitrogen Fixation - The nitrogen in the water mainly is consumed by Nitrogen Fixing bacteria, in the soil, that convert it into ammonium (NH4). The ammonium can then be absorbed by plants to help make proteins and DNA or RNA. Nitrification - Some ammonium (NH4) in the soil is also consumed by Nitrifying Bacteria, and converted to Nitrite (NO2) first and then ultimately into Nitrate (NO3). The nitrates are also absorbed by the plants, just as was the ammonium. (The plants ate the nitrates and ammonium, but not the nitrites.) Denitrification - They consume the nitrates and break them down into Oxygen gas (O2) and Nitrogen gas (N2) and both are returned to the air to be used again.

Which holds more dissolved oxygen? Cold water or warm water?

The warmer and saltier the water, the less dissolved oxygen there can be.

Why are wetlands considered some of the most important aquatic biomes?

They are very rich in biodiversity. (These areas are protected by law and serve as Game lands and wildlife refuges.) They also help to reduce flooding by holding rain waters or hurricane waters. (VERY IMPORTANT)

What is the difference between swamps and marshes?

Two types of wetlands exist: Swamps are defined by having trees. Marshes are defined by having reed grasses only.

Briefly describe the water cycle as it falls in the form of rain and runs over the earth's surface...

Water Cycle - Water vapor is created by the sun causing evaporation of the bodies of water such as oceans and lakes. This water vapor is carried by the winds to almost the whole world. It condenses in the air to make rain or snow (referred to as precipitation) and is returned to the land or ocean. Eventually the water that returns to land, makes its way to plants or rivers and streams that lead back to the oceans. Plants take in the water and use it for photosynthesis but also can lose it I the form of transpiration to the air.