Ecology Basics
What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Define habitat and niche.
Habitat refers to the physical space where an organism lives, while niche refers to the specific role or job of an organism within its habitat.
Define autotrophs and heterotrophs.
Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, while heterotrophs rely on consuming other organisms for food
How is energy transformed in an ecosystem
Energy is transformed in an ecosystem through the process of photosynthesis, where autotrophs convert solar energy into chemical energy.
Describe the biosphere.
The biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists. It includes all ecosystems
What is competition in an ecosystem?
Competition in an ecosystem occurs when two or more organisms compete for the same limited resources.
What is the role of detritivores in an ecosystem?
Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead organic matter, helping to decompose and recycle nutrients in an ecosystem
Explain the water cycle and its significance.
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water between the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and back. It is significant for the distribution of water resources and the maintenance of life.
Differentiate between biotic and abiotic factors.
Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, while abiotic factors are non-living components
Define predation and give an example.
Predation is the act of one organism (predator) hunting and consuming another organism (prey). An example is a lion hunting a zebra.
Differentiate between food chains and food webs.
Food chains represent the flow of energy from one organism to another, while food webs show multiple interconnected food chains.
Describe the distribution of freshwater on Earth.
Freshwater is distributed unevenly on Earth, with the majority being locked in glaciers and polar ice caps.
Explain how organisms adapt to their abiotic environment
Organisms adapt to their abiotic environment through various mechanisms such as physiological and behavioral changes.
Explain mutualism and provide an example.
Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit. An example is the relationship between bees and flowers.
Explain what trophic levels are.
Trophic levels are the different positions in a food chain or food web, representing the transfer of energy and nutrients between organisms.
How do carbon and oxygen cycle through living organisms?
Carbon and oxygen cycle through living organisms through processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Carbon is used to build organic molecules, while oxygen is a key component in cellular respiration.
List the levels of organization in ecology, from smallest to largest.
The levels of organization in ecology, from smallest to largest, are: organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere.
Describe parasitism and give an example.
Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (host). An example is a tick feeding on a dog.
Define ecological pyramids and their purpose.
Ecological pyramids are graphical representations of the energy, biomass, or number of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem. They help to illustrate the flow of energy and the relative abundance of organisms at each level.
What is nitrogen fixation and how does it enter the food web?
Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. It enters the food web when nitrogen-fixing bacteria are consumed by other organisms.