AP Biology Unit 8 Review

Front

What is a 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 different trophic levels.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Back

The primary source of energy for most ecosystems is the sun, which is captured by producers (like plants) through photosynthesis.

Front

Define autotrophs and heterotrophs.

Back

Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants), while heterotrophs are organisms that consume other organisms for energy (e.g., animals).

Front

What is a keystone species?

Back

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance, often maintaining the structure of the ecosystem.

Front

What is the 10% rule in ecology?

Back

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level, while the rest is lost as heat.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem and making them available for producers.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading the habitat.

Front

What is the main gas in the atmosphere that we breathe?

Back

The main gas in the atmosphere that we breathe is nitrogen, which makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is the difference between invasive species and native species?

Back

Invasive species are non-native organisms that spread rapidly in a new environment, often harming native species and ecosystems, while native species are those that naturally occur in a specific region.

Front

What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?

Back

Biodiversity enhances ecosystem productivity, stability, and resilience, allowing ecosystems to better withstand environmental changes.