Interactions and interdependencies

Question 1

What are the four levels to ecological interactions?

Answer 1

Biosphere
Ecosystems
Communities
Populations

Question 2

Define biosphere

Answer 2

The biosphere is the sum total of all the ecosystems on Earth

Question 3

Define ecosystem

Answer 3

An area that consists of an ecological community where the biotic and abiotic exist and interact with each other

Question 4

Define community

Answer 4

All biotic things in one habitat

Question 5

Define habitat

Answer 5

The area in which an organism lives

Question 6

Define biodiversity

Answer 6

The variety of life that occurs in one ecosystem/habitat

Question 7

Define population

Answer 7

A group of individuals of the same species within a community

Question 8

Give examples of biotic components

Answer 8

Plants, animals and humans

Question 9

Give examples of abiotic components

Answer 9

Soil, sun, air, climate

Question 10

Give one property of an ecosystem

Answer 10

Ecosystems do not have a specific size but enclose a limited area

Question 11

What are some examples of an ecosystem?

Answer 11

Kruger National Park
Botanical Gardens
Gariep dam

Question 12

What do all biotic organisms contribute to?

Answer 12

It contributes to the biodiversity of the ecosystem

Question 13

What do biotic organisms adapt to?

Answer 13

They adapt to the environment they are in for survival

Question 14

What is dependent on what?

Answer 14

Biotic organisms are dependent on other biotic organisms and dependent on abiotic factors. This makes them interdependent

Question 15

What does the survival of individual organisms and populations depend on?

Answer 15

They depend on there ability to to integrate and adapt to the changes taking place within their habitat or ecosystem

Question 16

What are the three different types of symbiosis?

Answer 16

Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism

Question 17

Define Mutualism

Answer 17

Both parties benefit from the relationship

Question 18

Define commensalism

Answer 18

One party will benefit, while the other party will not benefit nor will it be disadvantaged

Question 19

Define parasitism

Answer 19

One party will be disadvantaged while the other party benefits

Question 20

Give two examples of mutualism

Answer 20

Crocodile and Egyptian plover

Bees and flowers

Question 21

Give two examples of commensalism

Answer 21

White egret and cattle

Finches and trees

Question 22

Give two examples of parasitism

Answer 22

Ticks and dogs

Dodder and other plants

Question 23

What plays an important role in the survival of biotic organisms?

Answer 23

Abiotic factors such as Water, soil, oxygen and carbon dioxide

Question 24

What are plants known as?

Answer 24

Producers

Question 25

What are animals known as?

Answer 25

Consumers

Question 26

What are producers also known as?

Answer 26

Autotrophs

Question 27

What are herbivores?

Answer 27

Herbivores (Primary consumers) are animals that only eat plants

Question 28

Why are herbivores known as primary consumers?

Answer 28

They are known as primary consumers because producers are their food

Question 29

How are herbivores bodies adapted?

Answer 29

Their bodies are adapted so that they can eat and digest large amounts of plant material

Question 30

How are many herbivores stomachs divided?

Answer 30

Their stomachs are divided into four parts

Question 31

What is the name for animals whose stomachs are divided into four parts?

Answer 31

Ruminants

Question 32

What does ruminate mean?

Answer 32

Plant-eating animals slightly chew their food before swallowing, later they regurgitate in small amounts to chew and finally swallow

Question 33

What do carnivores eat?

Answer 33

Carnivores (Secondary and tertiary consumers) diets consist of other animals and they only eat meat

Question 34

Why are carnivores secondary and tertiary consumers?

Answer 34

Because their diets consist of primary consumers (Herbivores)

Question 35

What three groups can carnivores be split in?

Answer 35

Predators Scavengers Insectivores

Question 36

How have carnivores adapted?

Answer 36

They have adapted so that it is easier for them to hunt . eg. sharp claws and sharp teeth

Question 37

What are predators?

Answer 37

Predators are carnivores that hunt to get food

Question 38

What are scavengers?

Answer 38

Scavengers are carnivores that feed on animals that are already dead

Question 39

What are insectivores?

Answer 39

Insectivores are carnivores that mainly feed on insects and other small invertebrate

Question 40

What is an omnivore?

Answer 40

An omnivores diet consists of meat and plants