Ecology EOC Review

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What are producers in an ecosystem?

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Producers, also known as autotrophs, are organisms that can make their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They form the base of the food chain.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow through different trophic levels.

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What is the difference between primary consumers and secondary consumers?

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Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers, while secondary consumers are carnivores that eat primary consumers.

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What is carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably without degrading the habitat.

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What happens to a population when it exceeds its carrying capacity?

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When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, resources become scarce, leading to increased competition, starvation, and a decline in population size.

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What is the significance of decomposers in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil, which supports plant growth and maintains ecosystem health.

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What is an exponential growth model?

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An exponential growth model describes a population that grows rapidly without any limiting factors, resulting in a J-shaped curve when graphed.

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What is a logistic growth model?

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A logistic growth model describes a population that grows rapidly initially but slows as it approaches the carrying capacity, resulting in an S-shaped curve when graphed.

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How do chemical pollutants affect organisms in a food web?

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Chemical pollutants tend to accumulate in organisms at higher trophic levels, leading to biomagnification, where top predators have the highest concentrations of toxins.

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What role do humans play in altering ecosystems?

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Humans can significantly alter ecosystems through activities such as deforestation, pollution, urbanization, and climate change, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services.