Download Ecology Review Questions - Wahconah Science Department

AP Biology Ecology Review Questions
QUESTIONS:
1. Define population density. Give two methods biologists use to estimate population densities and
distinguish between uniform, clumped, and random distributions, and indicate the conditions under
which one is the most common.
2. Draw an exponential growth curve (J-shaped curve).
3. Draw a logistic growth curve(S-shaped curve), and label the carrying capacity, the portion of the curve
showing an accelerating rate of population growth, and the portion showing a decelerating rate.
4. Explain how density-dependent and density-independent factors operate in limiting population
growth.
5. On a single graph draw type I, type II, and type III survivorship curves. Explain each curve briefly at the
bottom of the graph.
6. Construct a table showing the differences between r-selected species and K-selected species with
respect to body size, life-span, number of offspring, relative time of reproduction (earlier or later in life),
type of survivorship curve, and give examples of each.
7. Using examples, discuss the ways in which parasitism, predation, intraspecific competition,
emigration, mutualism, and physiological and behavioral mechanisms can act as density-dependent
limitations on population growth. Explain, using an example, how destroying the balance between
predator and prey in a community can upset the ecology of an area.
8. Carefully define the concept of ecological niche, and explain its significance with respect to the
competitive exclusion principle.
9. Discuss, using an example, the relationship between species diversity and complexity and community
stability.
10. Describe the effect of human intervention in biological communities.
11. Describe the process of ecological succession, indicating why the species in a given area change over
time. Distinguish between primary and secondary successions, and give an example of each. Also explain
what is meant by a climax community.
12. Explain the types of interspecies relationships and tell how each member of the pair is affected by
the interaction (include predation, parasitism, commensalism and mutualism).
13. The following questions should review the nutrient cycles: nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon, and
sulfur.
a) Which element is never found in the atmosphere?
b) Which cycles have their main non-living reservoir in the atmosphere?
c) What are the main forms found in living organisms for each nutrient? (Think macromolecules)
AP Biology Ecology Review Questions
d) Explain the processes of nitrogen fixation, nitrification and denitrification in the nitrogen cycle as
well as the symbiotic relationship Mycorrhizae.
e) How are each of the different classes of organisms (autotrophs, heterotrophs, scavengers,
detritivores, decomposers) important in moving these elements from one form to another?
f) How have humans influenced each cycle?
14. How are bioremediation and bioaugmentation used to restore degraded ecosystems?
15. What is biodiversity, what are the four main factors that threaten it, and what role do humans play?
You should also review the food chain and terms associated with it as well as the nutrient cycles, these
may be used in multiple choice questions.
16. A population of ground squirrels has an annual per capita birth rate of 0.06 and an annual per capita
death rate of 0.02. Estimate the number of individuals added to (or lost from) a population of
1,000 individuals in one year.
17. In an experiment the following data was collected.
Light Bottle
Initial
0.288
Final
0.292
Determine the NPP, GPP, and respiration for the collected data.
18. Calculate the Amount of Energy
Remaining at A, B, C, and D.
Dark Bottle
0.288
0.282