Ecology Unit EOC Review

What does the study of ecology primarily focus on?

• Chemical processes within cells

• Interactions between organisms and their environment

• The behavior of individual animals

• Genetic variations within populations

What is an example of a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

• Rocks

• Plants

• Water temperature

• Sunlight

Which of the following is not a biotic factor?

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Temperature

• Insects

Which species is considered a keystone species due to its significant impact on ecosystem structure?

• Snails

• Owls

• Algae

• Sea urchins

What is the term for the maximum number of individuals an environment can support without significant negative impacts?

• Limiting capacity

• Population limit

• Carrying capacity

• Maximum threshold

What percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem?

• 25%

• 50%

• 10%

• 75%

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

• Wind

• Water currents

• Geothermal heat

• The Sun

Which cycle is directly involved in the transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil?

• Water cycle

• Phosphorus cycle

• Carbon cycle

• Nitrogen cycle

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

• They regulate the population sizes of other species.

• They break down organic material and recycle nutrients.

• They consume primary producers.

• They produce organic compounds through photosynthesis.

How do human activities generally affect ecosystems?

• They increase biodiversity.

• They have no significant impact.

• They can lead to ecosystem degradation.

• They stabilize ecosystem functions.