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Ecology Study Guide: Chapters 1-5
1. List and describe each step of the scientific method in the order in which they are
performed.
2. What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data? Provide an
example for each.
3. List and describe the 8 characteristics of life.
4. How much energy is transferred in each trophic level? List the type of consumers
found in each trophic level?
5. What trend is seen in regards to the number of individuals in each trophic
level?(producers to tertiary)
6. List and describe the levels of organization (ex. Biosphere, community…).
7. Explain the process of nitrogen fixation.
8. Provide a description and example for the zones of tolerance.
9. Explain the difference between primary and secondary succession.
10. Describe and provide an example for density dependent and density independent
factors.
11. Define population density
12. What are the various ways in which a population is dispersed (ex. Clumped)
13. What are the four factors that affect a population’s size and composition?
14. Define biodiversity.
15. How does biodiversity affect the chances of a population going extinct?
16. Why are producers and decomposers vital to the survival of a community?
17. Draw a food web for the following organisms ( make sure the arrows are pointing
in the correct direction) Algae, seaweed, fish, seagull, shark, seal,
18. How are the organisms in an ecosystem affected when a producer begins to
disappear?
19. Explain the processes that occur in the following cycles: Nitrogen, Carbon &
Oxygen, and H2O
20. Define carrying capacity. What factors might prevent a population from reaching
its carrying capacity?
21. What are the ways in which species become extinct? How does this affect the
biodiversity in an ecosystem?
22. Explain and provide an example for the following species interactions: Predation,
Mutualism, Commensalism, Parasitism, Competition
23. What is the difference between an organism’s niche and habitat?
24. Define and provide an example of an abiotic and biotic factor.
25. Create a food chain using at least 5 organisms of your choice.
26. What is the difference between a food web and a food chain? Which one would
be a better representation of various species interactions? Why?
27. What is the difference between a stimulus and response? Give an example of
each.
28. Define the following two terms: biology, science. Explain the importance of
each.
29. What are the four factors that affect the size of a population? Explain how each
one affects the population size.