Chapter 15

Question 1

What is the study of how living things interact with their environment?

Answer 1

Ecology

Ecology examines the relationships between organisms and their physical surroundings.

Question 2

What term describes an organism’s environment of home?

Answer 2

Habitat

A habitat provides the necessary conditions for an organism to live.

Question 3

What is the relatively thin layer where life exists called?

Answer 3

Biosphere

The biosphere encompasses all ecosystems on Earth.

Question 4

What is the basic unit of ecology?

Answer 4

Ecosystem

An ecosystem includes both living organisms and their physical environment.

Question 5

What is the smallest unit in an ecosystem?

Answer 5

Organism

Organisms can be single-celled or multi-celled entities.

Question 6

What term refers to all living things in an ecosystem?

Answer 6

Community

A community includes various species interacting within an ecosystem.

Question 7

Name the abiotic factors that affect ecosystems.

Answer 7

♡ Temperature
♡ Wind
♡ Water
♡ Atmosphere
♡ Soil
♡ Radiation

Abiotic factors are non-living components that influence living organisms.

Question 8

What is the range where an organism thrives called?

Answer 8

Optimum range

This range indicates the ideal conditions for growth and reproduction.

Question 9

What is a factor outside a tolerance range known as?

Answer 9

Limiting factor

Limiting factors can restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of organisms.

Question 10

What type of consumers feed on plants?

Answer 10

Herbivores

Herbivores play a crucial role in the food chain.

Question 11

What do we call consumers that feed on animals?

Answer 11

Carnivores

Carnivores can be predators or scavengers.

Question 12

What model do ecologists use to show all possible feeding relationships?

Answer 12

Food web

A food web illustrates the interconnected feeding relationships within an ecosystem.

Question 13

What is the term for a relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed?

Answer 13

Parasitism

Parasitism is a common interaction in nature, affecting host organisms.

Question 14

What relationship exists when both animals benefit?

Answer 14

Mutualism

Mutualism can enhance survival and reproduction for both species involved.

Question 15

What is the term for a relationship where one organism benefits and the other is not harmed or helped?

Answer 15

Commensalism

Commensalism often involves one species using another for transportation or habitat.

Question 16

What is the relationship called where one organism hunts or kills another?

Answer 16

Predation

Predation is a key mechanism of natural selection.

Question 17

What term describes an indirect relationship between organisms?

Answer 17

Neutralism

In neutralism, species do not significantly affect each other.

Question 18

What is the relationship between herbivores and plants called?

Answer 18

Herbivory

Herbivory can influence plant populations and community dynamics.

Question 19

What is the water cycle also known as?

Answer 19

Hydrologic cycle

The hydrologic cycle describes the continuous movement of water on Earth.

Question 20

Name the biome with well-defined seasons, including cold winters and warm summers.

Answer 20

Temperate deciduous forest

This biome is characterized by a variety of tree species that shed leaves in winter.

Question 21

What area is characterized by more water lost than gained?

Answer 21

Desert

Deserts have extreme temperature variations and low precipitation.

Question 22

What term describes prairies and plains?

Answer 22

Grasslands

Grasslands support a variety of herbivores and predators.

Question 23

What biome is found at high altitudes, very cold, but with no permafrost?

Answer 23

Alpine tundra

Alpine tundra is home to specialized plants and animals adapted to cold conditions.

Question 24

What biome is characterized by cold, long winters dominated by evergreen trees?

Answer 24

Northern Coniferous Forest

This biome is also known as taiga.

Question 25

What is the biome called that has cold and long winters with permafrost?

Answer 25

Arctic tundra ## Footnote The Arctic tundra features a unique ecosystem with limited biodiversity.

Question 26

What is characterized by hot, humid conditions and abundant rain?

Answer 26

Tropical Rainforest ## Footnote Tropical rainforests are known for their high biodiversity.

Question 27

What biome is known for having large herbivores like lions and cheetahs?

Answer 27

Savannas ## Footnote Savannas are grasslands that support a diverse array of wildlife.

Question 28

What term describes water with high salinity?

Answer 28

Marine ## Footnote Marine environments include oceans and seas.

Question 29

What is the term for the mixing of fresh and seawater?

Answer 29

Estuary (NOT brackish) ## Footnote Estuaries are crucial for many species as they provide breeding grounds.

Question 30

What type of succession starts with barren ground?

Answer 30

Primary ## Footnote Primary succession occurs on newly formed surfaces, such as lava flows.

Question 31

What do we call the first organisms in an ecosystem?

Answer 31

Pioneer Species ## Footnote Pioneer species initiate the process of ecological succession.

Question 32

What is the term for the wise use of natural resources?

Answer 32

Conservation ## Footnote Conservation efforts aim to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.

Question 33

What is man’s relationship to/rule over nature that God gave to us called?

Answer 33

Dominion ## Footnote Dominion implies stewardship and responsible management of natural resources.

Question 34

What is man's responsibility to take care of the earth called?

Answer 34

Stewardship ## Footnote Stewardship emphasizes the ethical management of the environment.