APES midterm review

Front

Can plants and animals use nitrogen directly from the air?

Back

No, plants and animals cannot use nitrogen directly from the air.

Front

What is the term for the rate at which water flows through the soil?

Back

Permeability.

Front

What is the layer made of solid rock where nothing lives?

Back

Bedrock.

Front

How do you measure population density?

Back

Divide the number of individuals by the area of the space.

Front

What is the effect of deforestation on the carbon cycle?

Back

It increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Front

What is the primary source of nitrogen for plants?

Back

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants.

Front

Define soil percolation.

Back

The process by which water moves through soil layers.

Front

What is the difference between porosity and permeability?

Back

Porosity is the volume of voids in soil, while permeability is the ability of soil to transmit water.

Front

What role do decomposers play in the ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil.

Front

What is the significance of the A Horizon in soil?

Back

The A Horizon, or topsoil, is rich in organic material and is crucial for plant growth.