Exploring Ecology and Relationships

What is ecology?

• Ecology focuses solely on plant life.

• Ecology is the analysis of economic systems.

• Ecology is the study of human behavior.

• Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Define an ecosystem.

• A group of unrelated animals in a zoo.

• A type of weather pattern.

• A collection of plants in a garden.

• An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

What are biotic factors?

• Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors refer to the physical environment of an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors are the chemical substances in an ecosystem.

What are abiotic factors?

• Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem that affect living organisms.

• Abiotic factors are the food sources for animals.

• Abiotic factors are the interactions between species.

• Abiotic factors are the living organisms in an ecosystem.

Explain the concept of a food chain.

• A food chain is a list of all the plants in an ecosystem.

• A food chain represents the social interactions between different species.

• A food chain is a diagram showing the physical structure of a habitat.

• A food chain is a sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next, illustrating the flow of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem.

What is a food web?

• A food web is a type of fruit salad.

• A food web is a single food chain in isolation.

• A food web is a system of interrelated food chains in an ecosystem.

• A food web is a collection of recipes for cooking.

Define producers in an ecosystem.

• Producers are primarily animals that hunt for food.

• Producers are organisms that decompose organic matter.

• Producers are organisms that generate their own food, primarily plants and some bacteria.

• Producers are organisms that consume other organisms for energy.

What role do consumers play in an ecosystem?

• Consumers are the primary producers in an ecosystem.

• Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms, playing a key role in energy transfer and ecosystem balance.

• Consumers decompose organic matter to recycle nutrients.

• Consumers produce energy through photosynthesis.

What is the difference between herbivores and carnivores?

• Herbivores are larger than carnivores; carnivores are smaller.

• Herbivores have sharp teeth; carnivores have flat teeth.

• Herbivores eat both plants and animals; carnivores only eat plants.

• Herbivores eat plants; carnivores eat animals.

Explain the term 'niche' in ecology.

• A niche is the role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

• A niche is a type of plant species.

• A niche refers to the physical space an organism occupies.

• A niche is the genetic makeup of a species.