Download Barlow`s Brain Busters 5

Barlow’s Brain Busters 5
Advanced Higher – Environmental Biology
1. Outline the main examples of biotic interactions within an ecosystem.
2. Outline the main abiotic interactions within an ecosystem.
3. What are the possible factors which can upset the stable, cyclical balance between predator and
prey populations?
4. Briefly explain the ‘time lag’ that exists between predator / prey population cycles.
5. Prey have evolved may methods of defence against predation. Outline two methods of using
camouflage as a deterrent and give named examples.
6. Outline the two lines of aposematic coloration which prey have adopted to evade predation.
7. Ordinarily, plant communites will evolve from pioneer organisms through a succession of
communities to the climax community. Explain how ‘grazing’ can interrupt this succession.
8. Explain the relationship between pressure of grazing and species diversity - give an example to
illustrate your answer.
Barlow’s Brain Busters 5 cont….
Advanced Higher – Environmental Biology
9. Summarise the meaning of an organisms niche by reference to the physical, chemical,
biological, spatial (space) and temporal (time) factors that the organism needs to survive.
10. Outline the differences between fundamental and realised niches.
11. What is meant by the terms:
a. exploitation competition
b. interference competition
c. interspecific competition
d. intraspecific competition
12. What is meant by the term exotic species? Give two examples each of plant and animal exotic
species and explain briefly why they are successful.
13. Explain why species diversity in an ecosystem is important for survival.
14. Explain the importance of the survival of weaker competitors in an ecosystem.
Barlow’s Brain Busters 6
Advanced Higher – Environmental Biology
1. Define the general term ‘symbiotic relationship’ in terms of nutritional advantage.
2. Use named examples to distinguish between endo / ectoparasites.
3. A balance between what has co-evolved in a parasitic relationship between the parsite and the
host.
4. In terms of ‘damage to the host’ outline the difference between obligate and facultative parasites.
5. Using named examples outline the three ways by which parasites can be transmitted to new
hosts.
6. With respect to ‘Sehistosoma’ (human blood fluke) outline the cycle of infection involving both
primary and secondary hosts.
7. Briefly outline the evolutionary process resulting in the species – specific relationship between
host / parasite.
Barlow’s Brain Busters 7
Advanced Higher – Environmental Biology
1. Define commensalism in relation to the commencal and its ‘partner’.
2. On what basis does a commencalistic relationship usually exist? Give a named example.
3. Define mutualism in terms of the two organisms involved.
4. Outline mutualism in terms of what co-evolution has brought about i.e. what characteristics are
there to mutualistic relationships.
5. Briefly describe mutualistic relationships which involve:
a. a micro-organism / plant
b. two vertebrates
Barlow’s Brain Busters 8
Advanced Higher – Environmental Biology
1. In terms of benefit (+) and detriment (-), state what relationship / interaction (and result on
population density) the following interactions have:
 Mutualism
 Parasitism
 Predation
 Competition
 Commensalism
2. Explain how host health can change the balance in a symbiotic relationship.
3. Give an example of how environmental factors can alter the balance in a symbiotic relationship.
4. Humans manage symbiotic relationships / ecological interactions in many ways to promote the
health of human, animal and plant populations. Briefly outline some examples of these.
Barlow’s Brain Busters 9
Advanced Higher – Environmental Biology
1. What are the two major types of organism response to variations in environmental conditions?
Define each.
2. Outline the implications for habitat occupation for these 2 types of organism.
3. With specific reference to osmotic and temperature variations, explain the following terms
a. osmoconformers
b. poikilotherms
c. osmoregulators
d. homeotherms
4. Distinguish between tolerance and resistance.
5. State the function of dormancy and outline the variety of forms it can take.
6. Distinguish between ‘predictive’ and ‘consequential’ dormancy.