100

What’s happening to the population at Point A and Point B?

A- The population is growing exponentially. B- the population has reached its carrying capacity because limiting factors have slowed the growth.

100

Compare and contrast density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors.

Both types of factors keep populations from increasing forever. Density-dependent factors are usually biotic and have an increasing effect as population increases. Density-independent factors are usually abiotic and affect all populations, no matter their size.

100

If a population didn’t have limiting factors, would it ever reach its carrying capacity?  

Why or why not?

No, because limiting factors restrict the population growth at a certain point. Without limiting factors, the population would continue increasing forever.

100

Define each word as it is related to population growth:

-Natality

-Fecundity

-Fertility

-Mortality

-Life Expectancy

Natality - birth of new individuals

Fecundity - ability to reproduce

Fertility - number of offspring produced

Mortality - death rate

Life expectancy - Predicted length of survival

100

Give an example of an abiotic and biotic factor that can be found in a desert.

Abiotic (non-living) - air, sand, rocks; Biotic (living) - Snake, cactus

200

Which musical instrument is the most environmentally friendly and yet contains CO2?

An air guitar! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

200

At which level of organization are the species all alike, population or community?

Population

200

At which level of organization are abiotic factors first included?

ecosystem

200

How is a food web different from a food chain?

A food web shows many overlapping food chains

200

Sketch a simple food chain with 4 trophic levels.

Start with a producer, and then include 3 more levels: a primary, secondary and tertiary consumer. Example:


300

How much chemical energy is transferred from the producers to each of the following levels in a food chain:

Primary consumers? 

Secondary consumers?

Tertiary consumers?

Primary - 10%, Secondary - 1%, Tertiary 0.1%

300

Compare and contrast the diets of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.

(compare/what they have in common) They all rely on producers for their energy, none of them can make their own food. 

(contrast/what is different among them) Carnivores eat meat, herbivores eat plants, and omnivores eat both.

300

Why are fewer organisms found at higher trophic levels?

Much of the energy of organisms is lost as heat in the lower trophic levels.

300

Explain how the organisms are harmed, benefited, or unaffected in the following types of symbiotic relationships:

-Mutualism

-Commensalism

-Predation/Parasitism

-Competition

Mutualism - Both organisms benefit

Commensalism - One organism benefits, the other is unaffected

Predation/Parasitism - One organism benefits, the other is harmed

Competition - Harms both organisms

300

*****Which type of species is critical to the health of other species in an ecosystem?  Give an example.

Keystone species (examples can include any discussed in class).

400

Which is smaller: a fundamental or realized niche? Why is it smaller?

A realized niche is the smaller niche an organism occupies because of competition

400

Give an example of a species you think would be a generalist and why.

Generalists can survive even with changes to their niche. They have a wide range of environmental conditions they can tolerate. Raccoons are an example of a generalist species because they live in all types of environments and don’t need a specific diet to survive. They can be found digging through trash for food in many climates.

400

What are invasive species and why do they often have rapid population growth?

Invasive species are species that are artificially introduced into an ecosystem. They have rapid population growth because they have few natural limiting factors.

400

A resource that is replenished very slow is called a _____________ resource.

Give an example of this type of resource.

A non-renewable resource. Fossil fuels & top-soil are examples.

400

Why is living sustainably important?

Give one example of how this can be done.

Living sustainably will ensure there are resources available for future generations. 

Examples include riding a bike, turning off water, using reusable products.

500

An ecosystem has proven to be resilient over time.  Would you expect it to have high or low biodiversity?

High. More diverse ecosystems are able to withstand impacts on the environment and are, therefore, more resilient and survive.

500

What is biomass and how does it change as you move up an energy pyramid?

Biomass is the mass of organisms by amount of tissue. As you move up an energy pyramid, there are less organisms and therefore less biomass.

500

If you drop your white shirt in the Red Sea, what will it become?

Wet! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

500

What type of organism do all heterotrophs depend on for energy?

Autotrophs, which obtain their energy from the sun or chemical compounds

500

How does the flow of energy differ from the flow of matter through an ecosystem?

Energy is a one-way flow and must be constantly added. 

Matter is recycled.

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