Ecology Take Home Test

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

Define ecosystem.

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment, including both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

Front

What is the biosphere?

Back

The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, representing the zone of life on Earth, where living organisms interact with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Front

Explain the concept of interdependence in ecology.

Back

Interdependence refers to the reliance of organisms on one another and their environment for survival, highlighting the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem.

Front

What is the significance of biodiversity?

Back

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, and it is crucial for ecosystem resilience, stability, and the provision of ecosystem services.

Front

What are trophic levels?

Back

Trophic levels are the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, defined by how organisms obtain energy, including producers (plants), primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), and decomposers.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web and providing energy for all other organisms.

Front

What is the impact of pollution on aquatic ecosystems?

Back

Pollution can lead to decreased oxygen levels, harmful algal blooms, and the accumulation of toxins in aquatic organisms, negatively affecting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Front

Define carrying capacity.

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support, considering available resources and environmental conditions.

Front

What is a keystone species?

Back

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance, often maintaining the structure and diversity of the community.