Elephant Ecosystems AP BIO

Front

What is the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Back

Energy flows from producers to herbivores to carnivores.

Front

What is a keystone species?

Back

A species whose removal can lead to significant changes in the ecosystem structure and function.

Front

Define altruism in ecological terms.

Back

Altruism is self-sacrificing behavior that reduces individual fitness while increasing the fitness of others in the population.

Front

What is a density-independent factor?

Back

A factor that affects population size regardless of the population density, such as drought.

Front

What is a density-dependent factor?

Back

A factor that affects population size based on the population density, such as food availability.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

Front

What is the significance of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

Explain the concept of trophic levels.

Back

Trophic levels represent the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, from producers to various levels of consumers.

Front

What is the difference between primary and secondary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers eat producers (herbivores), while secondary consumers eat primary consumers (carnivores).

Front

Define ecological succession.

Back

Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, leading to a more stable community.