Population dynamics
What is the term for the maximum number of individuals a habitat can support?
Carrying capacity
A relationship where both species benefit is called...
mutualism
What are the two main components of an ecosystem?
Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
What biome is characterized by low temperatures, permafrost, and short growing seasons?
Tundra
This cycle involves the movement of water through the biosphere.
hydrologic cycle
What are two factors that can limit population growth?
Resource availability, predation, disease, competition, natural disasters.
A relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped is called...
commensalism
Give an example of a biotic factor and an abiotic factor in a forest ecosystem.
Biotic (living stuff) Ex. Trees, deer, fungi; Abiotic (non living stuff) Ex. Sunlight, water, temperature.
What are two adaptations of plants in desert biomes?
(Any two of) Succulent leaves for water storage, deep roots, spines for protection, reduced leaf surface area.
The process by which nitrogen gas in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia is called what?
nitrogen fixation
Describe the difference between exponential and logistic growth.
Exponential growth occurs when resources are unlimited, resulting in a J-shaped curve. Logistic growth occurs when resources are limited, resulting in an S-shaped curve that levels off at the carrying capacity.
A relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed is called...
parasitism
Describe the flow of energy through a food chain.
Energy flows from producers (plants) to primary consumers (herbivores) to secondary consumers (carnivores) and so on. At each level, energy is lost as heat.
Describe the climate and vegetation of a tropical rainforest.
Tropical rainforests have high temperatures and rainfall year-round, supporting dense, diverse vegetation with tall trees forming a canopy.
This cycle involves the movement of carbon through various reservoirs like the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms.
Carbon cycle
Explain the concept of density-dependent limiting factors
Density-dependent factors have a greater impact as population density increases.
This symbiotic relationship involves one organism living inside another organism
endoparasitism (or endosymbiosis)
Explain the concept of a trophic cascade.
A trophic cascade occurs when changes at one trophic level (e.g., removal of a top predator) have cascading effects on other trophic levels throughout the food web.
Explain how latitude influences biome distribution.
Latitude affects the amount of solar radiation received, which influences temperature and precipitation patterns, leading to the formation of different biomes at different latitudes.
Explain the role of decomposers in the phosphorus cycle
Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing phosphorus back into the soil, making it available for plants to absorb
How can the introduction of an invasive species impact the population dynamics of native species?
Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt food webs, introduce diseases, and alter habitats, leading to declines or even extinctions of native populations.
A type of symbiosis where one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped
commensalism
How does nutrient cycling, such as the nitrogen cycle, impact ecosystem health?
Nutrient cycling is essential for ecosystem health because it makes essential nutrients like nitrogen available to organisms. Disruptions to these cycles can limit productivity and affect the overall balance of the ecosystem.
How does climate change affect the biomes?
alter where species live, how they interact, and the timing of biological events, which could fundamentally transform current ecosystems and food webs
Explain the concept of obligate mutualism
Obligate mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species are entirely dependent on each other for survival