Ecology Concepts and Key Principles Review

What is the primary focus of ecology?

• The study of animal behavior in natural habitats

• The study of interactions between organisms and their environment

• The study of genetic variations within organisms

• The classification of different species of plants and animals

Which of the following is an abiotic factor?

• Plants

• Bacteria

• Temperature

• Animals

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

• They regulate the population of other species

• They decompose organic matter

• They consume other organisms for energy

• They convert solar energy into organic compounds

Which type of symbiotic relationship benefits both species involved?

• Commensalism

• Parasitism

• Mutualism

• Competition

What is biodiversity important for?

• Decreasing genetic diversity among organisms

• Making ecosystems more resilient to changes

• Reducing the number of species in an ecosystem

• Increasing competition for resources

How is carbon recycled in ecosystems?

• By evaporation and condensation of water

• Through the consumption of fossil fuels

• By the movement of tectonic plates

• Through photosynthesis and respiration

What is a key factor in the nitrogen cycle?

• Transpiration by plants

• Solar radiation

• Decomposition of rocks

• Nitrogen fixation by bacteria

What can lead to a decrease in biodiversity?

• Higher rates of photosynthesis

• Increased plant growth

• Decreased carbon dioxide levels

• Introduction of invasive species

What is the term for rapid population growth followed by a stabilization at carrying capacity?

• Logistic growth

• Linear growth

• Declining growth

• Exponential growth

What has been a consequence of past mass extinction events?

• Sudden increase in biodiversity

• Immediate recovery of the biosphere

• Stabilization of ecosystems without changes

• Permanent decrease in biodiversity