Ecology Unit Review

Front

What is ammonification?

Back

Ammonification is the process in the nitrogen cycle where nitrogen in plant or animal protein is converted to ammonium.

Front

How do animals obtain nitrogen?

Back

Animals obtain nitrogen by eating other organisms.

Front

What does a Type I survivorship curve indicate?

Back

A Type I survivorship curve indicates that most individuals survive their entire lives and die at an older age.

Front

What is the role of decomposition in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposition returns nutrients in organisms back to the ecosystem.

Front

What is an example of commensalism?

Back

Remora fish ride along on the belly of a shark and eat its scraps without bothering it.

Front

What is nitrogen fixation?

Back

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants.

Front

What is nitrification?

Back

Nitrification is the process of converting ammonium into nitrites and then into nitrates.

Front

What is denitrification?

Back

Denitrification is the process of converting nitrates back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere.

Front

What is assimilation in the nitrogen cycle?

Back

Assimilation is the process by which plants and animals incorporate nitrogen into their tissues.

Front

What is the difference between mutualism and commensalism?

Back

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit, while in commensalism, one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.