Exam 1

Question 1

Why is ecology a hierarchical science?

Answer 1

Ecology has many different levels, and each level can be ranked in terms of complexity with one level built upon the previous

Question 2

Population v. Species

Answer 2

Population is all individuals in a given location. Species is all individuals of the same kind in the world.

Question 3

Community v. Ecosystem

Answer 3

Community: collection of interacting populations in a given location.
Ecosystem: community plus the physical and chemical environment

Question 4

Abiotic v. Biotic

Answer 4

Abiotic: non-living (physical and chemical)
Biotic: living organisms

Question 5

Climate v. Weather

Answer 5

Climate: long-term patter of temperature and precipitation across a broad region
Weather: short-term meteorological conditions in a localized area

Question 6

Windward v. Leeward

Answer 6

Windward: facing the wind
Leeward: Away from the wind

Question 7

How do mountains and oceans contribute to climatic variation?

Answer 7

Mountains intercept moist wind so the windward side has lush plant life and the leeward side is more desert-like
Oceans temper coastal regions - water cools hot summer air and warms cold winter air over the land

Question 8

How does the rotation of the earth affect the direction of moving air and water currents?

Answer 8

The rotating globe creates a Coriolis force. Moving fluids are deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

Question 9

How are stream habitats and intertidal habitats similar?

Answer 9

Organisms in both stream and intertidal habitats live on the bottom where they can avoid moving water but still get plenty of light, oxygen, and nutrients.

Question 10

Pelagic v. Benthic

Answer 10

Pelagic: open water of a lake or ocean
Benthic: Bottom region near the sediments

Question 11

Epilimnion v. Hypolimnion

Answer 11

Epilimnion: warm, mixed, upper layer of water in a lake.
Hypolimnion: cold, lower layer of water in a lake.

Question 12

Specialist v. Generalist

Answer 12

Specialist: organism that tolerates a narrow range of conditions.
Generalist: organism that tolerates a wide range of conditions.

Question 13

Genotype v. Phenotype

Answer 13

Genotype: the genetic composition of an individual
Phenotype: the outward appearance, or expression of genes in an individual

Question 14

Endotherm v. Ectotherm

Answer 14

Endotherm: animal that relies on internal sources (metabolism) for heat
Ectotherm: animal that relies on external sources (radiation, conduction) for heat

Question 15

What plant forms are most commonly associated with the Taiga biome?

Answer 15

Conifers, Peatland

Question 16

What plant forms are most commonly associated with the Tundra biome?

Answer 16

Mosses, Lichens, Grasses, Small Shrubs

Question 17

What plant forms are most commonly associated with the Savanna biome?

Answer 17

Grasses with scattered patches of trees

Question 18

What plant forms are most commonly associated with the Rainforest biome?

Answer 18

Multi-layered evergreen forests with epiphytes

Question 19

What plant forms are most commonly associated with the Desert biome?

Answer 19

Succulent plants (ie. cactus)

Question 20

Why are plants more abundant in the tundra than in the desert if there is less precipitation in the tundra?

Answer 20

Evaporation is much lower in the tundra because of the lower temperatures. Low evaporation means more water available for plants.

Question 21

What organisms are most common in the open water of lakes and oceans?

Answer 21

Plankton: “free floating” organisms at the mercy of wind and water currents
Nekton: organisms that are capable of swimming

Question 22

In late autumn, a box turtle burrows into soft mud and its body temperature falls to 0°C. Endothermic or ectothermic? Homeothermic or poikilothermic?

Answer 22

Ectothermic; Poikilothermic

Question 23

The countercurrent flow of blood in the veins and arteries of a tuna allows the fish to keep its internal temperature constant and above that of the water. Endothermic or ectothermic? Homeothermic or poikilothermic?

Answer 23

Endothermic; Homeothermic

Question 24

On a hot day, camels let their body temperature rise to be closer to that of the surrounding environment. Endothermic or ectothermic? Homeothermic or poikilothermic?

Answer 24

Endothermic; Poikilothermic

Question 25

As shadow covers its resting spot, a lizard moves into the sunlight and lies close to the warm ground so that its body temperature does not change. Endothermic or ectothermic? Homeothermic or poikilothermic?

Answer 25

Ectothermic; Homeothermic

Question 26

Bees shiver to raise their body temperature to a constant 38°C on cool mornings. Endothermic or ectothermic? Homeothermic or Poikilothermic?

Answer 26

Endothermic; Homeothermic