2 Ecology

Front

What is a population in ecology?

Back

A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at the same time.

Front

What factors can lead to an increase in a population as it reaches its carrying capacity?

Back

Food, shelter, and water.

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem includes all the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors in a given area.

Front

List the ecological levels of organization from smallest to largest.

Back

Organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome.

Front

What role do bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?

Back

Bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into nitrates and nitrites, which can be used by plants.

Front

Define a community in ecology.

Back

A community is all the different species living in a given area.

Front

What is a biome?

Back

A biome is a large geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions.

Front

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

Back

Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, while abiotic factors are non-living components.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Front

Explain the term 'ecological succession.'

Back

Ecological succession is the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.