Chapter 19 Biology – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
The science of the relationship between an organism and its environment
answer
Ecology
question
Differentiate between ecology and a study of man's pollution of the environment
answer
i. Study of what most people would call "nature", It doesn't deal with individual parts but with the whole ii. Ecology is how living and nonliving things affect one another and is science of interrelationships between all organisms and environment iii. A study of man's pollution requires an application of ecological principles to solve a particular problem
question
What functions do ecologists most frequently perform?
answer
i. Study relationships between existing organism and their environment ii. Predict what would happen if some factor were changed iii. Recommend steps to change an environment or the organism in it
question
The total system of interactions between living organisms and nonliving things and factors within a limited area
answer
Ecosystem
question
all the living things within the ecosystem
answer
Biotic Community
question
it is in a constantly moving cycle
answer
Cyclic
question
What are two parts of the water cycle?
answer
i. Transpiration- loss of water from plants ii. Evaporation- water enters the atmosphere
question
water moving on the surface of the earth
answer
Runoff water
question
water that drains into the soil
answer
Percolates
question
when water reaches a layer it cannot penetrate; comes out of the ground as springs or wells
answer
Groundwater
question
"lay of the land"
answer
Topography
question
rock and other substances underneath the soil
answer
Geologic Substrate
question
measure of the concentration of dissolved minerals in the world's oceans
answer
Salinity
question
regularly cut off from the ocean as the tide goes out
answer
Tidal pools
question
are created by lightning or spontaneous combustion; they are beneficial
answer
Ground fire
question
Why are ground fires beneficial?
answer
i. Do not kill vertebrates or larger plants ii. A fire kills the underbrush that would compete with the pine seedling for light, water, and minerals and thus gives the seedling a better chance of survival
question
All members of the same types of living things within an area
answer
Populations
question
A measure of the number of individuals from a population in a defined area or space
answer
Density
question
Two main types of populations
answer
Producers and Consumers
question
An organism that produces its own food; a photosynthetic or chemosynthetic organism; an autotroph
answer
Producers
question
An organism that takes materials from the ecosystem
answer
Consumers
question
The rate of photosynthesis carried on by an ecosystem's producers
answer
Primary Productivity
question
A representation of the nutritional relationship between organisms in an ecosystem
answer
Food chain
question
eat producers (normally herbivores)
answer
Primary consumers
question
usually carnivores (or called first-level carnivores)
answer
Secondary consumers
question
example is bass (or called second-level carnivores)
answer
Tertiary Consumers
question
Dead organic matter (ex. Fallen leaves, dead trees, dead bodies of animals)
answer
Detritus
question
An organism that breaks down dead organic matter into forms that can be used by other organisms
answer
Decomposer organism
question
A diagram showing the quantitative relationships between the biomass or the quantities of organisms in an ecosystem
answer
Ecological pyramids
question
A particular step in an ecological pyramid that shows the flow of energy through a food chain
answer
Trophic levels
question
The total mass of tissue of a population or species (usually measured in a dried form)
answer
Biomass
question
A measure of the scope or range of living organisms in an environment
answer
Biodiversity
question
A method of illustrating multiple nutritional relationships and interactions between populations in an ecosystem
answer
Food webs
question
A situation in which there is no direct relationship between populations in an environment
answer
Neutralism
question
A relationship in which two populations inhibit each other because they both depend on the same resource
answer
Competition
question
Situation in which an organism (predator) kills and eats another organism (prey)
answer
Predation
question
broad term for any close, long-term relationship between two organisms of different species
answer
Symbiosis
question
When one population is inhibited or harmed by a second population and the second population is not affected by the first
answer
Amensalism
question
The parasite depends (often for food) on a living host
answer
Parasitism
question
best-known parasites that live inside their host
answer
Endoparasites
question
live on the outside
answer
Ectoparasites
question
A relationship in which one population benefits from a second population, but the second population is not harmed or helped by the first
answer
Commensalism
question
A form of symbiosis in which the organisms depend on each other for protection and nourishment
answer
Mutualism
question
Neither organism would survive without the other
answer
Obligatory
question
protective coloration or shape to blend in with environment around them
answer
Camouflage
question
clash with environment to earn predators
answer
Warning coloration
question
mimic deadly or foul tasting animal
answer
Mimicry
question
What are the two components of an ecosystem?
answer
i. Abiotic Factors- A nonliving aspect of an ecosystem ii. Biotic Factors- A living thing (population) in an ecosystem
question
List several abiotic factors of your school's grounds or your yard at home
answer
i. Radiation (light and heat) ii. Atmosphere iii. Rotation of the earth iv. Wind (currents in aquatic environments) v. Water vi. Topography (depth of water in aquatic environments) vii. Soil and geologic substrate (mineral concentration in aquatic environments) viii. Gravity ix. Fire
question
Describe the water cycle
answer
i. Through evaporation and transpiration, water from soil enters atmosphere. ii. Clouds form, water falls as precipitation iii. Water may flow into streams and then larger water bodies. Water flowing on the surface of the earth is runoff water. iv. Some water percolates into soil until it reaches impermeable layer and forms ground water v. Ground water flows out as springs/comes up through man-made wells; may also eventually reach lake or ocean
question
What is included in the biotic factors of an environment?
answer
i. Biosphere ii. Ecosystem iii. Community iv. Population v. Individual
question
What are the two main types of populations (based on their nutritional relationships)?
answer
i. Producers (green plants, algae) ii. Consumers [feeders (animals and Protista) and decomposers (fungi and bacteria]
question
What happens to the radiant energy available to plants? How much of it is available to the first consumer?
answer
i. About 50% of light energy available to plant absorbed 1% converted to sugar ii. About 50% sugar energy used for plant's own metabolism iii. 0.5% is available to the first consumer
question
Account for the energy losses between the step in a food chain
answer
i. The uneaten things or things that have molted contain energy that is lost ii. Respiration, excretions, secretions, contain lost energy iii. Much ingest energy is lost
question
List and describe the possible species interactions or nutritional relationships between organism
answer
i. Neutralism- A situation in which there is no direct relationship between populations in an environment ii. Competition- A relationship in which two populations inhibit each other because they both depend on the same resource (competing for food) iii. Predation- Situation in which an organism (predator) kills and eats another organism (prey)
question
List and describe several strategies that animals use to survive
answer
i. Camouflage: protective coloration or shape to blend in with environment around them ii. Warning coloration: clash with environment to earn predators iii. Mimicry: mimic deadly or foul tasting animal
question
Why is it improbable for the relationships between organisms to be the result of the evolution?
answer
i. They are not evolving, they are simply mimicking other populations ii. Dependent on others
question
What role do plants play in the water cycle?
answer
i. Transpiration
question
thin shell around the earth in which all known physically living things exist
answer
Biosphere
question
general term for the area where a type of organisms lives- its "address"
answer
Habitat
question
what an organism does and how it fits into and affects its habitat- its "job" or "occupation"
answer
Niche
question
process of one species replacing another
answer
Competitive exclusion
question
Is energy noncyclic or cyclic? Matter?
answer
Energy= noncyclic Matter= cyclic
question
the movement of a particular chemical substance through the earth's system
answer
Biogeochemical cycle
question
Something that in some way restricts the growth or existence of an organism
answer
Limiting Factors
question
A particular measure of the environment that becomes more limiting as a population increases
answer
Density-dependent factors
question
A particular measure of the environment that limits population growth regardless of the size of the population
answer
Density-independent factors
question
moving into an area
answer
Immigration
question
moving out of an area
answer
Emigration
question
The rate of population growth in which the population size multiples at a constant rate at regular intervals
answer
Exponential growth
question
The maximum population size that a given area can sustain
answer
Carrying Capacity
question
variation that occurs in a population when it has neared carrying capacity and slowed or halted its exponential growth
answer
Logistic Growth
question
live on many difference food source and a wide range of conditions
answer
Generalists
question
organisms with very little flexibility toward their habitat conditions or whose food preferences are very narrow
answer
Specialists
question
4 Principles Regarding Limiting Factors
answer
i. An organism with a wide range of tolerance for all factors will have a wide distribution ii. An organism with a wide range of tolerance for one factor may have a narrow range for a different factor iii. When one factor is not in its optimal range, the range of tolerance for another factor may be reduced iv. The period of reproduction is the most critical time for limiting factors
question
Describe the limits of the biosphere
answer
i. Limiting factors are the factors that in some way limit the growth or existence of an organism. An inadequate supply of Carbon Dioxide would cause it to be a limiting factor. A depleted supply of a certain mineral would cause the mineral to become a limiting factor. A limiting factor is also that which goes beyond than organism's range of tolerance. Too much water can also be a limiting factor. Limiting factors are either density-dependent, meaning they become more limiting as the population density increases, or density-independent, meaning they limit population growth regardless of the population's size.
question
Differentiate between the habitat and the niche of an organism
answer
i. A habitat is where an organism lives while a niche is the organism's job or lifestyle
question
Why does a closed terrarium constantly need light but does not necessarily need water? Why must a closed terrarium contain sufficient animal life?
answer
i. The sunlight provides energy for the plants to grow. The animals eat the plants and produce CO2 (photosynthesis) and waste (fertiliser), which in turn are used again by the plant to grow. Since it is a closed system, no water would be lost, so it is not necessary to add extra water. Energy (in the form of light), on the other hand, is lost from the system as heat. Also, as energy in the form of food is passed up the food chain, part of it is lost in every step. A completely closed system (where no energy is lost) where you still provide light would not work, because the energy in the form of heat would build up, since it can't escape, and the organisms would die. No light at all would also not work, since plants can't use heat for photosynthesis
question
List at least five possible limiting factors for a squirrel living in a city park
answer
i. not enough trees to live in ii. Not enough acorns for food iii. How much water is available iv. Pollution from man v. Correct nutrients for reproduction
question
List two factors that will directly cause population growth and two that will cause population decline
answer
i. Growth: birthrate, immigration ii. Decline: death rate, emigration
question
Why do you think secular scientists get so excited about the prospect of life occurring on Mars or other planets?
answer
i. It would help evolution if they could see life on earlier plants because they believe it might show the in between a that are missing
question
If you could become any animal, would you rather be a generalist or a specialist? Why?
answer
i. Generalist: when food supplies of certain things deplete, I can still eat and survive
question
The predictable, gradual change of a biotic community over a period of time
answer
Ecological succession
question
The type of ecological succession that starts from bare rock and must first form soil
answer
Primary succession
question
The type of ecological succession that starts at a point where soil and some plants are already present
answer
Secondary succession
question
plants growing in the shade of trees
answer
Understory
question
hardwood deciduous forest
answer
Climax vegetation
question
What is the relationship between succession and climax vegetation?
answer
i. A community of vegetation is a biological community of plants, fungi and animals that is stable. It develops from a pioneering community into a climax community. Succession in Ecology is the observation of the growth and change in a vegetation community. So the relationship between succession and climax in vegetation is that succession is the process of observing the change in a vegetation community from a few pioneering plants to a fully developed, stable community known as a climax community
question
Describe a pioneer stage of succession and compare it to a climax stage of succession.
answer
i. Pioneer: few species, large populations of each; smaller organisms; organisms with higher metabolic rates; organisms with short life spans; organisms with simple forms of reproduction; large amounts of nutrients needed and large amounts lost from the ecosystem ii. Climax Stage: many species, small populations of each; larger organisms; organisms with lower metabolic rates; organisms with long life spans; organisms with complicated life cycles; nutrients cyclic within the ecosystem
question
How might a pH change that seems to kill only developing tadpoles in a pond affect other species like algae, snails, and bass?
answer
i. They lose a food source, which results in more competition and therefore a decline in population density.
question
Which would have had a better chance of survival in the period right after the Flood-small animals like rats and mice or larger ones like bears and lions? Defend your answer
answer
i. Smaller ones because there is a better food supply for them. Larger animals would need the smaller animals to feed on
question
2 points of deep ecology emphasizes
answer
i. All life is of equal value. That is, every species has an inherent right to life no matter how small its role in the ecosystem ii. All life forms are interdependent on each other. This holistic view of life views man as just another species that is part of the living earth. He is not separate from it, nor does he have any special rights over any other species
question
2 ways man affects the environment
answer
i. Consumer- man is a consumer since he takes materials from the food chain ii. Manager- man's role in having dominion in which he changes the environment to better meet his needs
question
An organism that, when introduced to an area outside its original range, becomes a nuisance due to excessive growth or reproduction
answer
Invasive species
question
The worship of the universe and its phenomena as god
answer
Pantheism
question
theory that the entire biosphere functions as a single thinking organisms
answer
Gaia movement
question
What are the two main aspects of man's ecological niche?
answer
i. consumer: takes materials from the food chain ii. manager: changes the environment to meet his needs
question
In what ways is man the top consumer in the biosphere? How does man differ in his consumption from all other consumers in the biosphere?
answer
i. Capable of interrupting the flow of energy and materials in an ecosystem at many different points to supply his own needs; herbivore and carnivore; can even consume organisms of the detritus food chain (shrimp, lobster, catfish) ii. can make choices about what he consumes and how much
question
What types of things does man do to manage the ecosystems?
answer
i. clears ground, plants crops; convert land to pasture for domestic animals; dams a stream to prevent a flood
question
What is the primary problem regarding man's use of natural resources?
answer
i. Overuse or abuse by destroying some aspects of his environment
question
The process that concentrates small quantities of a substance into larger quantities as it is passed in a food chain
answer
Biological Magnification
question
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
answer
DDT
question
The triatomic form of oxygen that is found in the atmosphere
answer
Ozone
question
The phenomenon in which gases in the atmosphere prevent some of the sun's radiation from returning to space, thus maintaining a warm temperature on the earth
answer
Greenhouse effect
question
The rise in temperature that has been noted over the last century on the earth
answer
Global warming
question
Contamination of the environment with substances or factors that change the environment significantly
answer
Pollution
question
Capable of being broken down by the environment and returned to the normal cycling of substances
answer
Biodegradable
question
cannot be broken apart in the environment (this bad)
answer
Nonbiodegrable
question
What are the two main types of pollutants, on the basis of their decomposition?
answer
i. biodegradable: can break down and return to the normal cycle ii. nonbiodegradable: cannot break down and return to the normal cycle
question
What are hazardous wastes? Give several reasons that they are difficult to deal with
answer
i. Chemicals that are toxic to organisms, are highly reactive or even explosive with other elements, cause corrosion, or are flammable ii. They are carried by the movement of water or by the food chain; extremely strong
question
In what ways can a beneficial substance put in an ecosystem become a pollutant?
answer
i. The substance leaves one ecosystem and collects in another
question
Why is biological magnification a problem with nonbiodegradable pollutants but not with biodegradable pollutants?
answer
i. Biological magnification is the process that concentrates small quantities of a substance into larger quantities as it is passed in a food chain. Nonbiodegradable things will never break down and therefore it is a problem because the waste will spread.
question
A large swamp is to be drained by constructing a concrete-lined channel for the stream that feeds in to the swamp. List some questions that should be answered before work is started
answer
i. where is the swamp water going? ii. is there a way to purify it so it can be used resourcefully?
question
How do the different abiotic factors interact with the water cycle?
answer
i. Water is one of the most crucial abiotic factors. If the sun did not warm the atmosphere, evaporation would stop. The heat of the sun and rotation of the earth cause winds that move moisture- laden air. Moist winds cool atmosphere and move clouds over the land to prevent rain from falling only over the oceans, where most evaporation takes place. And if gravity were not pulling at the rain, then runoffs water, groundwater, lakes, and oceans would not form. Fire burns underbrush and allows more water to reach plant roots and more rain to reach the ground
question
Why are there energy losses between the steps of the food chain?
answer
i. Energy is lost at each stage of a food chain. It is due to the organisms using some of the energy they get to survive. The uneaten things or thing that have molted contain energy that is lost. Respiration, excretions, and secretions contain lost energy.
question
What is the different of density-dependent factors and density-independent factors? Give examples
answer
i. Density- dependent: a particular measure of the environment that becomes more limiting as a population increases 1. Examples: amount of trees for squirrels to nest in, amount of zebras for lions to feed on, and lack of grazing area for bison ii. Density- independent: a particular measure of the environment that limits population growth regardless of the size of the population 1. Examples: hurricanes, droughts, amount of sunlight available for plants
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New