Definitions & Basic Concepts
Define a ecosystem.
A community of living organism (biotic factors) interacting with their non-living (abiotic) environment within a particular area at a given time.
What is the competitive exclusion principle?
The competitive exclusion principle states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist; one will outcompete the other, leading to the elimination of one species.
What kind of feeding adaptations do carnivores exhibit?
Carnivores often have sharp teeth and claws adapted to capture and consume other animals, as well as behavioral adaptations for hunting strategies.
What are the two main divisions of nutrition?
Autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition.
How do organisms in arctic environments adapt to reduce heat loss?
Thick fur, fat layers (blubber), small extremities, and behavioral huddling.
What is a habitat?
A habitat is the specific area or environment where a population lives, encompassing all abiotic and biotic components.
How do abiotic factors influence species distribution?
Abiotic factors such as temperature, light, water availability, and soil pH determine the environments in which organisms can survive and thrive, ultimately affecting where populations are found.
How do autotrophs obtain their energy?
Autotrophs, like plants, obtain their energy through photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
What adaptations do plants also have in relation to nutrition?
Root modifications, symbiotic relationships, and carnivory in nutrient-poor soils.
Explain how behavioral adaptations affect food-gathering strategies in animals.
Migration, cooperative hunting, and food storage improve efficiency and survival.
How is a "community" different from a population?
A community consists of all the interacting populations of different species within a given area, highlighting the relationships and interactions between different species.
Describe the difference between the fundamental nice and the realized niche?
The fundamental niche represents the potential range of conditions under which a species can survive, while the realized niche encompasses the actual conditions where the species is found, taking into account biotic interactions like competition.
What adaptations do organisms develop to survive in specific environments?
Organisms may develop physical adaptations (like camouflage), chemical adaptations (such as toxins), and behavioral adaptations (like migration patterns) to better survive in their environments.
How do herbivores and carnivores differ in their tooth adaptations?
Herbivores have flat molars for grinding, while carnivores have sharp canines for tearing flesh.
What specific adaptations do organisms in sandy dune environments develop to cope with the challenges of wind and water loss?
Deep roots, waxy leaves, water-storing tissues, and burrowing behaviors.
What constitutes a "population" within an ecosystem?
A population is defined as a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at the same time.
Discuss the significance of mutualism in coral reef ecosystem.
In coral reefs, mutualism between coral polyps and zooxanthellae algae is crucial; algae provide food through photosynthesis while the coral offers protection and a stable environment.
What role do detritivores play in ecosystems?
Detritivores help decompose organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil, which supports plant growth and contributes to ecosystem functioning.
What is holozoic nutrition and how does it differ from saprotrophic nutrition?
Holozoic nutrition involves ingesting and digesting food internally, while saprotrophic nutrition involves external digestion by secreting enzymes.
In what ways do plants and animals in wetland ecosystems address the challenges related to seed dispersal and gas exchange?
Floating seeds, aerial roots, and specialized breathing adaptations like cutaneous respiration in amphibians.
What are the two main types of factors that affect ecosystem?
The two main types of factors are biotic factors (living components like plants and animals) and abiotic factors (non-living components such as climate, soil, and water).
What impact does ocean acidification have on coral reefs?
Ocean acidification, caused by increased CO2 levels, lowers pH, which can hinder the formation of calcium carbonate in corals, thus affecting their structural integrity and survival.
In what ways does transpiration pose a risk to plant survival in windy environments?
Transpiration leads to significant water loss, and in windy environments, plants risk dehydration if they cannot effectively anchor themselves and retain moisture.
How do saprotrophs (decomposers) differ from detritivores in their process of obtaining nutrients?
Saprotrophs break down organic matter externally using enzymes, while detritivores consume and digest it internally.
What adaptations do organisms in high salinity environments (like swamps) develop?
Plants: Salt-excreting glands, succulent tissues, pneumatophores.
Animals: Salt glands, osmotic regulation, freshwater-seeking behavior.