Homeostasis- Trophic Cascade

Front

What is homeostasis?

Back

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Front

What is a trophic cascade?

Back

A trophic cascade is an ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators, which leads to changes in the population sizes of species at lower trophic levels.

Front

How do predators benefit vegetation?

Back

Predators help maintain the population of herbivores in check, preventing them from overgrazing and allowing vegetation to thrive.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is each step in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from one level to the next.

Front

What role do starfish play in their ecosystem?

Back

Starfish act as predators, controlling the population of mussels and other organisms, which helps maintain biodiversity.

Front

Define prey in an ecological context.

Back

Prey refers to organisms that are hunted and consumed by predators.

Front

What is the relationship between predators and herbivores?

Back

Predators regulate herbivore populations, which helps prevent overconsumption of plants and supports ecosystem balance.

Front

What happens when a top predator is removed from an ecosystem?

Back

The removal of a top predator can lead to an increase in herbivore populations, which may overgraze vegetation and disrupt the ecosystem.

Front

Give an example of a trophic cascade.

Back

The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park led to a decrease in elk populations, allowing vegetation to recover and benefiting other species.

Front

What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?

Back

Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience, stability, and the ability to recover from disturbances.