I go to all the parties because I'm a Fungi
Give one example each of a biotic and an abiotic factor in a pond ecosystem.
Various examples accepted
Name one human activity that increases atmospheric CO2.
Example: burning fossil fuels for energy/transport
What is a producer (autotroph)? Give one example.
An organism that creates it's own Energy- Various plants
What is carrying capacity? Name two factors that can change it.
Maximum population size an environment can sustain; factors: food availability, space, predation, disease, water.
Is a group of rabbits living on an Island considered a population?
Yes
Where is most energy is lost in an energy transfer between trophic levels?
Most energy is lost as heat through metabolic processes/respiration.
Give two reasons biodiversity is important for ecosystem functioning.
Helps maintain ecosystem services (pollination, nutrient cycling), increases resilience to disturbances.
Explain the difference between a food chain and a food web
Food chain = single pathway of energy transfer; food web = interconnected networks of many food chains, variations of this answer
If the producer level of a trophic pyramid contains 50,000 kcals, how many kcals are on the Secondary Consumer level?
500
What is an invasive species?
Invasive species: nonnative species that spread and harm native species/ecosystems (e.g., zebra mussels outcompeting natives)- other examples accepted
Which term best describes the role and position a species has in its environment, including its interactions with biotic and abiotic factors?
A. Habitat
B. Niche
C. Community
Which relationship is an example of mutualism?
A. A tick feeding on a deer
B. Bees pollinating flowers while collecting nectar
C. Barnacles attached to a whale, gaining dispersal
An invasive species introduced to a new habitat is most likely to:
A. Increase local biodiversity without any negative effects
B. Outcompete native species and reduce biodiversity
C. Immediately become endangered
Why are decomposers important to ecosystems?
A. They produce oxygen through photosynthesis
B. They break down dead matter and recycle nutrients back into the soil
C. They consume only living large animals
Which term best describes the role and position a species has in its environment, including its interactions with biotic and abiotic factors?
A. Habitat
B. Niche
C. Community
What are the levels of ecological organization- Biggest to Smallest
Biome, Ecosystem, Community, Population, Organism
What are the 3 types of Symbiosis?
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
(no particular order)
What is the difference between an Autotroph and a heterotroph? Give an example of each
Autotrophs create their own Energy (usually Photosynthesis) Any Plant
Heterotrophs must get their energy from other sources (predation, grazing etc.) Any Animal
Which organism is most likely a primary producer in a freshwater pond ecosystem?
A. Dragonfly nymph B. Algae C. Small fish D. Snail
When a predator controls the population of an herbivore, which effect might happen in the plant community?
A. Herbivore numbers increase and plants decline
B. Predator presence causes plants to produce fewer seeds
C. Plant diversity and abundance may increase because herbivore pressure is reduced
D. No effect, because predators only affect animal populations
A lake supports 500 fish in year 1. Due to increased food the population grows 40% next year, then a disease reduces it by 30% the following year. What is the population at the end of year 3?
Year 1: 500.
Year 2 after +40%
Year 3 after −30%
Final population = 490.
Which statement about energy flow in ecosystems is correct?
A. Energy cycles through ecosystems and is reused indefinitely
B. Energy flows one-way from producers to consumers and is lost as heat at each transfer
C. Consumers convert heat into usable chemical energy that producers use
D. Decomposers create energy that enters the food web
What are two ways carbon is stored in an ecosystem?
Photosynthesis, Decomposition of Plant/Animal matter
Why are Decomposers so important to Ecosystems?
Decomposers break down dead organic matter, including dead plants, animals, and waste products. These organisms primarily include bacteria, fungi, and various invertebrates like earthworms and insects. They function as nature’s recyclers, transforming complex organic materials into simpler substances.
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration help to move carbon between atmosphere and biosphere. name the reactants and products of each process
Photosynthesis:
Reactants: Carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), sunlight
Products: Glucose (C6H12O6), oxygen (O2)
Cellular Respiration:
Reactants: Glucose (C6H12O6), oxygen (O2)
Products: Carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), energy (ATP)