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Question 1

What is Ecology?

Answer 1

Ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment.

Question 2

What does Sustainability mean?

Answer 2

Sustainability means meeting our needs without harming future generations’ ability to meet theirs.

Question 3

Define Ecosystems.

Answer 3

Ecosystems are self-regulating systems where living and non-living things interact.

Question 4

What are the living parts of an ecosystem called?

Answer 4

Biotic.

Question 5

What are the non-living parts of an ecosystem called?

Answer 5

Abiotic.

Question 6

List three biotic factors in an ecosystem.

Answer 6

• Plants
• Animals
• Micro-organisms

Question 7

List four abiotic factors in an ecosystem.

Answer 7

• Water
• Oxygen
• Light
• Nutrients

Question 8

What does self-regulating mean in the context of ecosystems?

Answer 8

It means that the interactions keep the ecosystem healthy and sustainable.

Question 9

What is a Population in ecological terms?

Answer 9

All the members of a species living in one place.

Question 10

What is a Community in ecology?

Answer 10

All the different populations living and interacting in one area.

Question 11

Define an Ecosystem.

Answer 11

All populations interacting in one area.

Question 12

What are some positive interactions in an ecosystem?

Answer 12

Examples include bee pollinating a flower.

Question 13

What are some negative interactions in an ecosystem?

Answer 13

Examples include a bee stinging you and dying.

Question 14

What should you identify when studying an ecosystem?

Answer 14

You should identify abiotic and biotic factors.

Question 15

How can ecosystems maintain themselves?

Answer 15

Through the interactions of biotic and abiotic factors.

Question 16

What is the effect of altering a factor in an ecosystem?

Answer 16

It may affect the environment’s ability to be sustainable.

Question 17

If you were a farmer, what could you do to ensure sustainable farming practices?

Answer 17

Use methods that protect the environment and save resources.

Question 18

What should you avoid doing to ensure sustainable farming practices?

Answer 18

Avoid practices that degrade soil, water, and biodiversity.

Question 19

What is the biosphere?

Answer 19

The layer of Earth where living things can be found (land, air, and water)

The biosphere includes various ecosystems and biomes that interact with one another.

Question 20

What are the three components that make up the biosphere?

Answer 20

• Atmosphere
• Lithosphere
• Hydrosphere

These components interact with each other to support life on Earth.

Question 21

What is the composition of Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 21

• 78% Nitrogen (N2)
• 21% Oxygen (O2)
• 1% other gases

The atmosphere plays a crucial role in supporting life and regulating the climate.

Question 22

What functions does the atmosphere perform?

Answer 22

• Moderates surface temperatures
• Blocks some incoming solar radiation
• Contains the ozone layer

These functions are essential for maintaining life on Earth.

Question 23

Define lithosphere.

Answer 23

Earth’s solid outer shell

The lithosphere varies in depth across different regions of the Earth.

Question 24

What is the hydrosphere?

Answer 24

Earth’s water in all its forms

97% of the Earth’s water is found in the oceans, while only 3% is freshwater.

Question 25

What is a biome?

Answer 25

A region with a specific climate (e.g., deciduous forest, grassland) ## Footnote Biomes contain various ecosystems that share similar environmental conditions.

Question 26

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 26

The interactions between all living things that share a region of space and the non-living environment (e.g., GTA, a pond) ## Footnote Ecosystems can vary greatly in size and complexity.

Question 27

Define community in ecological terms.

Answer 27

All the living things in an ecosystem (e.g., people, pets, trees, and bugs in Vaughan) ## Footnote Communities consist of different populations interacting within an ecosystem.

Question 28

What is a population in ecology?

Answer 28

A group of one species (e.g., people in Vaughan) ## Footnote Populations can be studied to understand species dynamics and interactions.

Question 29

What is an organism?

Answer 29

An individual (e.g., Bob) ## Footnote Organisms are the basic units of life and can be studied for various biological characteristics.

Question 30

What are biotic factors?

Answer 30

The living parts of an ecosystem, including all organisms ## Footnote Biotic factors interact with abiotic factors to form complex ecosystems.

Question 31

What are abiotic factors?

Answer 31

The non-living parts of an ecosystem ## Footnote Examples include sunlight, temperature, and soil composition.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: Ecosystems are made up of _______ and non-living things that interact.

Answer 32

[living] ## Footnote The balance between biotic and abiotic factors is crucial for ecosystem health.

Question 33

True or False: All ecosystems consist only of biotic factors.

Answer 33

False ## Footnote Ecosystems are comprised of both biotic and abiotic factors.

Question 34

What are biotic interactions?

Answer 34

Interactions between organisms in a community

Question 35

What are the three main types of biotic interactions?

Answer 35

* Competition * Predation * Symbiosis

Question 36

What is competition in an ecosystem?

Answer 36

When two or more organisms compete for the same resource in one habitat.

Question 37

What is interspecific competition?

Answer 37

Competition between different species

Question 38

What is intraspecific competition?

Answer 38

Competition between 2 members of the same species

Question 39

What allows similar species to exist in the same community without competition?

Answer 39

Different niches

Question 40

Define 'niche' in ecology.

Answer 40

The role an organism plays in a community

Question 41

What is predation?

Answer 41

One organism eats another to obtain food

Question 42

How do prey usually defend themselves from predators?

Answer 42

By developing adaptations such as camouflage and speed

Question 43

How do predators typically adapt to catch prey?

Answer 43

By developing adaptations such as enhanced eyesight or speed

Question 44

What is mimicry in the context of predation?

Answer 44

Prey animals defend themselves by mimicking other animals that are not hunted

Question 45

What are the three main types of symbiosis?

Answer 45

* Mutualism * Commensalism * Parasitism

Question 46

What occurs in mutualism?

Answer 46

Both species benefit

Question 47

What occurs in commensalism?

Answer 47

One species benefits, the other is unaffected

Question 48

What occurs in parasitism?

Answer 48

One species benefits, the other is harmed

Question 49

Give an example of parasitism.

Answer 49

A flea feeds on a squirrel’s blood

Question 50

What is carrying capacity?

Answer 50

The maximum number of individuals an ecosystem can support without harming its future ability.

Question 51

What happens if the carrying capacity is exceeded for a long time?

Answer 51

It results in environmental harm

Question 52

What are limiting factors?

Answer 52

Factors that regulate how many organisms live in an ecosystem

Question 53

What are abiotic limiting factors?

Answer 53

* Amount of sunlight * Water * Soil * Natural disturbances (storms, fires, droughts) * Human disturbances (logging)

Question 54

What are biotic limiting factors?

Answer 54

* Competition among organisms for resources * Presence of predators * Reliance on other organisms for survival * Presence of disease-causing organisms

Question 55

True or False: Limiting factors prevent overpopulation in a healthy ecosystem.

Answer 55

True

Question 56

What occurs when births equal deaths in a population?

Answer 56

The population is balanced and stable.

Question 57

What do populations depend on to be sustainable?

Answer 57

Both their biotic and abiotic interactions with the environment