Ecology Review

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web that indicates the organism's role in the flow of energy and nutrients. Examples include producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for producers. They play a crucial role in nutrient cycling.

Front

Define habitat.

Back

A habitat is the natural environment in which an organism lives, including all living and non-living factors that affect it.

Front

What is commensalism?

Back

Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

What happens if there are too many prey and not enough predators?

Back

If there are too many prey and not enough predators, the prey population may grow excessively, leading to overgrazing or depletion of resources, but they will not starve unless resources become insufficient.

Front

What is the difference between producers and consumers?

Back

Producers are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis (e.g., plants), while consumers are organisms that eat other organisms for energy.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow through different trophic levels.

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Front

What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?

Back

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

Front

What are autotrophs?

Back

Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food from inorganic substances, primarily through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.