Ecology
Definition of Ecology
What is the study of relationships between organisms and their environment
What is the final stage of the nitrogen cycle that returns nitrogen to the atmosphere?
Denitrification
Which statement best describes population density?
The number of individuals per unit area
What does the term carrying capacity mean?
The maximum population an ecosystem can support over time
What defines an organism's specific role and requirements within its habitat?
Ecological niche
The two primary types of reproduction in living organisms
What is sexual and asexual reproduction
In which macromolecules is nitrogen primarily found?
Proteins and nucleic acids
Which factor is considered density-dependent?
A. Flood
B. Drought
C. Disease
D. Hurricane
Disease
Which of the following is an example of a biotic limiting factor?
A. Temperature
B. Predation
C. Water
D. Precipitation
B predation
In inter-specific competition, which type of organisms are competing for resources?
Organisms from different species
In the levels of ecological organization, what comes directly after 'Population'?
What is community
What unique characteristic distinguishes the nitrogen cycle from other geochemical cycles?
No step is completed without living organisms
Why does competition increase as population density increases?
A. More predators enter the habitat
B. Resources become unlimited
C. Individuals must share limited resources
D. Disease disappears
C, individuals must share limited resources
What is most likely to happen to a population if it exceeds carrying capacity for a long period of time?
A population decline occurs due to resource depletion
What characterizes a mutualistic relationship between two species?
Both species benefit
What does the term 'stimulus' represent in ecological contexts?
A change in an organism's environment
Which natural phenomenon, besides bacteria, can convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms?
Lightning
How can a drought affect population density over time?
A. It immediately increases population size
B. It has no effect on population density
C. It reduces resources, lowering population density
D. It only affects predators
C, it reduces resources, lowering population density
Why is carrying capacity not fixed over time?
A. Populations never change
B. Ecosystems always improve
C. Abiotic and biotic factors can change
D. Carrying capacity depends only on space
abiotic and biotic factors can change
In a parasitic relationship, what is the primary characteristic of the interaction?
One organism benefits while the other is harmed
what is a criterion for determining if something is a living organism?
Containing DNA or RNA, Ability to grow, or Ability to reproduce
Which living organism plays the most critical role in converting nitrogen between different forms?
Bacteria
Allelopathy causes plants to release chemicals that prevent nearby plants from growing.
What population distribution pattern is most likely to result?
uniform
Which situation would most likely cause a decrease in carrying capacity?
A. A natural disaster that destroys resources
B. Improved soil quality
C.Reintroduction of predators
D. Increased nutrient recycling
A natural disaster that destroys resources
Which symbiotic relationship involves one organism benefiting while the other remains unaffected?
Commensalism