Ecology Review

Front

What is ecology?

Back

Ecology is the branch of biology that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment, including the relationships between different species and their habitats.

Front

Define population in ecological terms.

Back

A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in a specific area and interact with one another.

Front

What is the difference between immigration and emigration?

Back

Immigration is the movement of individuals into a population, while emigration is the movement of individuals out of a population.

Front

What does a population's carrying capacity refer to?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

Front

Explain the concept of food web.

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow through the system.

Front

What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Front

Define herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Back

Herbivores are organisms that primarily eat plants, carnivores eat other animals, and omnivores consume both plants and animals.

Front

What is the impact of a decrease in a predator population on its prey?

Back

A decrease in a predator population can lead to an increase in the prey population, as there are fewer predators to control their numbers.

Front

How do droughts affect plant and animal populations?

Back

Droughts can lead to decreased plant populations, which in turn can reduce herbivore populations and subsequently affect carnivore populations.

Front

What is extinction, and what are common causes?

Back

Extinction is the end of an organism or species. Common causes include habitat destruction, overhunting, and environmental changes.