APES midterm review

Front

What type of relationship is exemplified by the cattle egret following herds of cattle and eating the insects stirred up by them?

Back

Commensalism: A relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

What is another name for the A horizon in soil?

Back

Top Soil: The uppermost layer of soil, rich in organic material and nutrients.

Front

What are the two main agents of erosion?

Back

Wind and flowing water: The primary forces that cause the wearing away of soil and rock.

Front

What dietary trend is expected in more affluent regions of the world?

Back

Eat more meat: Wealthier populations tend to consume higher amounts of meat.

Front

What are lichens and mosses that first colonize uninhabited areas called?

Back

Pioneer species: Organisms that are the first to establish in a barren environment.

Front

Define symbiosis.

Back

Symbiosis: A close and long-term interaction between two different species.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Front

What is the significance of the nitrogen cycle?

Back

The nitrogen cycle is crucial for converting nitrogen into forms usable by living organisms.

Front

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

Back

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas, while secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community.

Front

What is an example of a non-renewable resource?

Back

Fossil fuels: Resources that cannot be replenished within a human timescale.