Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Biology > Ecology Test > Flashcards

Ecology Test Flashcards

(84 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Ecology

A

-The study of interactions between organisms and their surroundings

-Organism to organism
-Organism to environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Levels of Organization (biggest to smallest)

A

-Biosphere: the portion of the earth that is capable of supporting life

-Ecosystem: the portion of the biosphere where living and nonliving things interact

-Community: a group of interacting populations of different species living in the same geographic area at the same time

-Population: a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area and interacting with each other

-Organism/species: an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.

-Organ systems: group of organs that work together to perform a specific function in an organism

-Organs: a group of tissues working together to perform a function in an organism

-Tissue: a group of specialized cells working together to perform a specific function in an organism

-Cells: basic unit of life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Biotic factors

A

The living parts of an ecosystem (plants and animals)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Abiotic factors

A

The nonliving parts of an ecosystem (sun and wood)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Weather

A

Conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time (can change within minutes or hours)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Climate

A

How the atmosphere behaves over a long period of time and space (can change over a decade)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Difference between weather and climate

A

Weather refers to the short-term, day-to-day atmospheric conditions at a specific location, while climate is the long-term average of weather patterns over a period of 30 years or more

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Greenhouse effect

A

A natural process where Earth’s atmosphere traps heat making the planet much warmer than it would be without it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How does the greenhouse effect contribute to climate change?

A

Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping back into space causing the earth to warm up

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How does climate change contribute to the greenhouse effect?

A

With the release of more and more greenhouse gases from human activities like burning fossil fuels, this adds to the heat that is already natural being trapped in the atmosphere causing the earth to warm up even more over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What causes wind patterns?

A

-The sun heats the earth unevenly leading there to be differences in air pressure

-Differences in temperature and pressure

-Air always moves one way but because of these differences, warm air creates a low pressure area and cooler/denser air sinks and creates a high pressure area leading the air to move horizontally so balance can be created between these pressures

-Hot air rises and cool air sinks

-Currents of wind occur from differences in temperature and pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Primary producer

A

-An organism that is found at the bottom of the food chain/web

-They are able to make their own food (autotroph)
Ex: seaweed and grass

Make their food by chemosynthesis or photosynthesis

-Photoautotrophs: use light energy to make their own food through photosynthesis (process name)

-Chemosynthesis: uses energy from inorganic compounds to make their own food through chemosynthesis (process name)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Consumers

A

all the other organisms in the food chain/web that cannot make their own food causing them to be heterotrophs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Herbivores

A

eats only plants (ex: cows)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Carnivores

A

eats animals/meat only (ex: tigers)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Omnivores

A

eats both plants and animals (ex: humans)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Scavengers

A

eats the carcasses/body of dead animals (ex: vultures)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Decomposers

A

consumers that feed on dead organisms by chemically breaking them down -return nutrients to the soil (Ex. Fungi, Bacteria)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Difference between scavengers and decomposers

A

-Scavengers consume dead organisms to break down organic materials into small particles (researchgate.com)

-Decomposers consume the small particles produced by scavengers (researchgate.com)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Detritivore

A

chews or grinds detritus/waste into smaller pieces, often eats decomposers in the process (Ex. earthworm)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Food chain

A

illustrates the flow of energy and nutrients as one organism eats another in an ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Food web

A

represents the interconnected feeding relationships in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow through different organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Trophic level

A

-Each level of a food web/chain/energy pyramid

-Ex: In an energy pyramid, primary consumers are on the second trophic level

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Pyramid of energy

A

a pyramid that shows the direction of energy flow at each trophic level of an ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Pyramid of biomass
a pyramid that shows the total biomass at each trophic level of an ecosystem
26
Pyramid of numbers
a pyramid that shows the number of organisms at each trophic level of an ecosystem
27
10 Percent Rule
The rule/idea that only 10% of energy, biomass, or numbers of organisms in an ecosystem moves from one trophic level to the next
28
Biogeochemical cycle
How matter (elements) cycle around the planet (atmosphere, water, land, and lifeforms)
29
Water cycle
-water in solid, liquid and gas form (ice, liquid water, and water vapor) -evaporation - heating water from liquid to vapor -transpiration - evaporation of water from plants -condensation - vapor cooling to become liquid -precipitation - rain, ice, snow, fog - returning water back to the ground level
30
Significance of the water cycle
a crucial process for maintaining life on Earth by distributing water, regulating weather patterns, and ensuring the availability of fresh water
31
Carbon cycle
-carbon cycles between air and organisms through photosynthesis and cellular respiration (remember the equations)
32
Significance of Carbon Cycle
crucial for maintaining a stable climate and supporting life on Earth by regulating carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and facilitating the exchange of carbon between different reservoirs
33
Equation of photosynthesis
Photosynthesis: CO2 + H20 + Light → C6H12O6 + O2
34
Equation of cellular respiration
Cellular Respiration: C6H12O6 + O2 → CO2 + H20 + Energy (ATP)
35
How do photosynthesis and cellular respiration assist in the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide?
-Cellular Respiration: CO2 is released into air, O2 is taken into cells (organisms) -Photosynthesis: CO2 is taken into cells (plants), O2 is released into air
36
Nitrogen cycle
-Major component of proteins (amino acids) -bacteria are necessary for changing nitrogen gas in atmosphere into a form that is usable by plants (nitrogen fixing bacteria) -different bacteria that convert nitrogen in the soil back into -Nitrogen gas (denitrifying bacteria)
37
Significance of Nitrogen cycle
nitrogen is a vital nutrient for all living organisms, forming the building blocks of proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and other essential molecules.
38
What factors do ecologists examine?
Ecologists study populations by examining their geographic range, growth rate, density and distribution, and age structure
39
Geographic range
The places a population lives
40
Growth rate
The idea of observing if the population stays the same, increases, or decreases over time
41
Population density
The number of individuals that can be found per unit
42
Population distribution
The way individuals are spaced out across their range
43
Age structure
the proportions of individuals within a population that belong to different age groups
44
Population dynamics
-Birth rate: the rate at which individuals from a population are born -Population can increase if more individuals are born in any period of time than die during the same period -Death rate: the rate at which individuals from a population die -If death rate is greater than birth rate, the population will decrease -If birth and death rate is equal the population will possibly remain the same size -Immigration: the one way movement of individuals into a population with the intent of residing permanently in that new location -the more species immigrate, the more the population may grow -Can be caused by the presence of new and improved habitats Emigration: the process of individuals moving out of a population or environment -the more species emigrate, the more the population may decrease -Can be caused by limited resources
45
Exponential Growth
When the population increases rapidly as more and more offsprings are produced
46
Logistic Growth
occurs when a population’s growth slows and then stops, following a period of exponential growth
47
Resources
substances or objects in the environment that an organism needs for normal growth, maintenance, and reproduction
48
How do resources affect exponential and logistic growth?
-if resources are limited then a population will decrease and if resources average/present population grows -Exponential growth would be an example of resources being more than enough because population grows rapidly -Logistic growth would be an example of resources starting to be present but then not be present for a bit, then varying
49
Carrying Capacity
the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that a particular environment can support/handle
50
What determines the carrying capacity of a population?
the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that a particular environment can support/handle
51
Limiting factors
-Any factor that controls the growth of a population Ex: food, water, temperature, space, and sunlight
52
Density dependant limiting factors
limiting factors that operate strongly when the number of organisms per unit area or population density reaches a certain level/limit -Competition, parasitism, disease, and stress from overcrowding -As the population increases, these become more impactful leading to more birth and death rates
53
Density independent limiting factors
-Any environmental factor that affects a population's growth rate or size regardless of the population's density Ex: hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires -In response, a population may crash causing to possibly build up after the crash or stay low for a while
54
How are predator prey relationships examples of density dependent limiting factors?
Predator-prey relationships serve as examples of density dependent limiting factors because the effects of predation (the impact on the prey population) are directly related to the population densities of both the predator and the prey
55
Predator
an organism that hunts and kills other organisms for food.
56
Prey
an animal that is caught, hunted, or killed by another for food.
57
Habitat
A place where an organism lives and that provides the types of food, shelter, moisture, and temperature needed for survival
58
Microhabitat
-a specific, small-scale area within a larger habitat that provides unique conditions for certain organisms to live and thrive -Ex: The underside of a rock in a forest
59
Microbiomes
-Communities of microorganisms -Ex: bacteria that lives in an environment
60
Tolerance
the variety of environmental conditions within which a species can survive and reproduce
61
Why is it ideal for each organism to be in its 'optimum range' in order to survive?
It is ideal for each organism to be in its ‘optimum range’ because environmental conditions enable individuals to find enough energy and nutrients to maintain homeostasis, to grow and reproduce
62
Niche
-Describes where an organism lives and what it does ‘for a living’ including the way it interacts with biotic and abiotic factors -Everything an organism does in its environment (there job, the time they wake up, etc)
63
Different species can coexist in the same habitat, but generally they need different niches to survive. Why is this the case?
Species need different niches to survive because if not one of the species will be better at competing for resources and will cause the other specie to struggle to survive
64
Explain how competition for resources plays a role in an organism’s survival. Explain the two different types of competition that exist.
-It shapes their behavior and adaptations -If they are not able to get these resources thy will not be able to survive -Two main types of competition: -Intraspecific competition: competition occurs within the same species for survival -Interspecific competition: competition between different species
65
Competitive Exclusion Principle
-The competitive exclusion principle states that no two species can occupy exactly the same niche in exactly the same habitat at exactly the same time -If two species attempt to do so, one species will be better at competing for limited resources and will eventually exclude other species
66
Keystone species
-species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically. -Keystone species play a vital and unique role in maintaining structure, stability, and diversity in an ecosystem
67
Symbiosis
an interdependent relationship between two species
68
Mutualism
A relationship between two species in which both species benefit -Ex: bees and pollinating flowers
69
Commensalism
-A relationship between two species in which one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed -Ex: Shark and remora
70
Parasitism
A relationship between two species in which one organism gets helped and the other organism is harmed Ex: fleas and a dog
71
Ecological Succession
A series of somewhat predictable events that occur in a community over time -Ecosystems change over time especially after disturbances, as new species move in, population changes, and some species die out
72
Difference between primary and secondary succession
Primary succession begins on newly exposed land with no soil, while secondary succession starts in an area where there was a previous ecosystem, but the soil is still present.
73
Biodiversity
The total of all genetically based variation in all organisms in the biosphere
74
Three types of biodiversity
-Ecosystem diversity: refers to the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes in the biosphere -Species diversity: the number of different species in the biosphere or in a particular area -Genetic diversity: the total of all different forms of genes present in a particular species
75
What are the benefits of biodiversity?
Biodiversity benefits include offering invaluable contributions to medicine and agriculture, and enabling organisms and ecosystems to adapt to environmental changes
76
Habitat Fragmentation (deforestation)
-splitting up habitats due to clearing land (deforestation) -Ex. building roads, parking lots, buildings, etc.
77
Invasive Species
-non-native species that are introduced to new areas can become invasive -invasive species overpopulate and crowd out native species
78
Pollution
-Introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change pollution can damage ecosystems (habitat and organisms) -Air, water, nutrient, light, noise, pollution harm organisms in many ways Can be natural (volcanic eruptions) or anthropogenic (human made) -Air pollution causes respiratory problems Water pollution can cause disease
79
Population growth
Human population growth & excessive & wasteful consumption of resources have caused premature extinction of some species
80
Climate change
increased CO2 emissions due to human activity results in an increase in greenhouse gases leading to a more severe greenhouse effect
81
Overharvesting and hunting
-killing organisms for food or sport - lowers the amount of each population -food webs become unstable, biodiversity and available resources suffer as a result
82
Sustainability
-Sustainability = using ecosystem resources in ways that preserve ecosystem services -a way to use resources while maintaining the ecosystems that provide them allows resources to be continually replenished over time instead of depleting them for short term gains
83
Differences between renewable and non renewable sources
-renewable resources = resources that can be produced or replenished by a healthy ecosystem -Ex: trees, drinking water, wind power, solar power -nonrenewable resources = resources that cannot be replenished by natural processes in a reasonable amount of time -Ex: coal, oil, natural gas when these resources are depleted, they are gone for good
84
Difference between conservation and restoration
Conservation: -wise management of available resources on the planet -the goal is to utilize sustainable resources so that they are available for many generations ahead Restoration: -renewing a degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystem through active human intervention.

Biology (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions