Download Ecology and Ecosystems Focus Questions

Ecology and Ecosystems Focus Questions
Read Chapters 3, 4, and 5
1. Define the following terms: ecology, species, organism, population, community, ecosystem, ecosphere
(biosphere), genetic diversity, habitat, biome, aquatic life zone.
2. Components in ecosystems are either biotic or abiotic. What do these mean? Give 3 examples of each.
3. What is meant by the range of tolerance? How do limiting factors determine the range of tolerance?
4. Draw and diagram Figure 3-10 on page 58.
5. Define the following terms: trophic level, producers (autotrophs), photosynthesis, heterotrophs
(consumers), herbivores (primary consumers), carnivores (secondary consumers), tertiary (and higher level
consumers - all carnivores), omnivores, decomposers, detritovores, detritus.
6. Write out the chemical reactions for photosynthesis and aerobic respiration. Label which are reactants and
which are products.
7. Compare and contrast aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration (fermentation).
8. Define the terms: food chain, food web, biomass, ecological efficiency, pyramid of energy flow.
9. Draw and a food chain and classify with terms for the following organisms: grass, deer, and panther.
10.
Draw this as a pyramid of energy flow and show the amount of energy at each level. Assume the
starting energy is 10,000 kilojoules for the first level.
11.
What is gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP)? How are they
measured?
12.
What types of ecosystems have the greatest NPP?
13.
Why does the open ocean have one of the lowest average NPPs, but the greatest overall NPP?
14.
What ultimately limits the number of consumers that can survive on the earth?
15.
What methods do scientists use to study ecosystems?
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16.
What is biodiversity and why is it so important?
17.
Define the following terms: biological evolution, natural selection, mutations, adaptations, adaptive
traits (adaptations), differential reproduction.
18.
Do populations or individuals evolve? Explain.
19.
Explain how traits present in a population allow for adaptive traits which result in natural selection
and ultimately biological evolution.
20.
What are the limits to adaptations through natural selection?
21.
What are the 3 common myths about evolution?
22.
How do geological processes and climate change affect evolution?
23.
Explain the difference between geographic isolation and reproductive isolation. How does geographic
isolation lead to reproductive isolation?
24.
What is extinction? Differentiate between background and mass extinction. How many mass
extinctions have there been?
25.
Define the following terms: species diversity, species richness, species evenness.
26.
What are the most productive and sustainable ecosystems?
27.
Define the following terms (for each type of species list at least 3 examples...look up if necessary):
niche, generalist species, native species, specialist species, non-native species (invasive, alien, or exotic),
indicator species, keystone species, foundation species.
28.
Pick one keystone species discussed in the book and explain why it is one.
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29. What are the 5 major ways in which species interact. Describe each.
30. What are techniques that predators use to be more effective?
31. What are techniques that prey use to avoid predators?
32. How are prey species benefitted by this relationship?
33. What is coevolution?
34. Parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism are all forms of symbiosis. What is symbiosis?
35. What are characteristics of parasites that make them different from predators? Describe 3 parasitic
relationships.
36. Describe the following mutualistic relationships (look up if needed): clownfish-anemone, lichens, flowersinsects, oxpeckers-rhinos, termites-bacteria.
37. Describe the following commensalistic relationships: silverfish-army ants epiphytes-tropical trees.
38. What is resource partitioning and how does it reduce competition between species?
39. What is ecological succession?
40. Differentiate between primary and secondary succession. Briefly describe how each occurs. What is the
key feature that is different?
41. Describe the terms inertia (persistence), resilience, tipping point.
42. Extra Credit: You may complete the AP Review Questions for Chapters 3, 4, and 5. You must write
complete question and answer for credit.