Ecology and the Environment
3 domains, 6 kingdoms - correct answer Prokaryotes: 1. archaea and 2. bacteria
Eukaryotes: 3. eukaryote
Adaptation - correct answer an evolutionary modification that improves an individual's
chances of survival and reproductive success in its environment; genetic traits passed
on to successive generations
Animalia - correct answermulticellular eukaryotes; heterotrophs; sensory organs,
nervous system
Atmosphere - correct answerthe gaseous envelope surrounding Earth
Biodiversity - correct answerthe variation among organisms encompassing not only
species richness, but also genetic and ecosystem diversity
Biodiversity hotspot - correct answera relatively small area that is identified as having
great species diversity and as being highly threatened by human activities; large
percentage of endemic species; termed coined by Norman Myers; nearly 20% of the
world's population live in these hotspots
- 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world that are home to as many as 44% of all species of
vascular plants, 29% of endemic bird species, 27% e. mammal species, 38% e. reptile
species and 53% e. amphibian species
Biological diversity - correct answerthe number and variety of life forms on Earth, or the
variation among organisms
Biosphere - correct answerThe regions of Earth's atmosphere, ocean, land surface and
soil containing living organisms
Carrying capacity (k) - correct answer(of an environment) causes a levelling out of
population growth; k is the maximum number of individuals of a given
population/species that a particular environment can support indefinitely; in nature, it is
dynamic and changes in response to environmental changes (e.g. prolonged drought)
Cellular Respiration - correct answeris a process whereby energy is obtained through
the breaking down of organic molecules
- energy flow is the one way passage of energy through an ecosystem
Competitive exclusion - correct answerThe concept that when populations of two similar
species compete for the same limited resources, one population will use the resources
more efficiently and have a reproductive advantage that will eventually lead to the
elimination of the other population
, Consumers - correct answeranimals that use the bodies of other organisms as a source
of food energy and body building materials; heterotrophs- primary consumers
(herbivores) eat producers, secondary consumers (omnivores, carnivores), tertiary
consumers,
Darwin's limitations - correct answerDarwin could not explain how individuals transmit
traits to the next generation or why individuals vary within a population
Decomposers - correct answerare heterotrophs that break down dead organic material
and use the decomposition products to supply themselves with energy; typically release
inorganic molecules (carbon dioxide, mineral salts) that producers can reuse; prevent
accumulation of dead organisms and waste
- eg. bacteria, fungi
Density-dependent factors - correct answer(affecting population size) are environmental
factors whose effects on a population change as population density changes; as
population density increases, density-dependent factors tend to slow population growth
by causing an increase in the death rate and/or a decrease in birth rate; e.g. predation,
disease and competition; seen in a boom-bust cycle
Density-independent factors - correct answerbiological factors, typically abiotic, that
affect the size of a population regardless of the population density; e.g. weather, natural
disasters
Detritivores - correct answer(detritus feeders) consume detritus, which is organic matter
that includes animal carcasses, leaf littler, faeces
- eg. snails, crabs, clams, worms
Differential reproductive success - correct answerindividuals possessing the most
favourable combinations of characteristics are more likely to survive, reproduce and
pass their traits to the next generation; best adapted individuals reproduce most
successfully, whereas less fit individuals tend to die prematurely or produce fewer,
inferior offspring
- can, over time and with geographical separation of populations, produce new species
drivers of biodiversity loss - correct answer(most 'important direct drivers) habitat
change, climate change, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution
Ecological niche - correct answerthe totality of an organism's adaptations, its use of
resources, and the lifestyle to which it is suited; takes into account all aspects of an
organism's existence- physical, chemical and biological factors an organism needs to
survive, maintain health and reproduce; includes an organism's habitat and interactions
with biotic and abiotic components of its environment
3 domains, 6 kingdoms - correct answer Prokaryotes: 1. archaea and 2. bacteria
Eukaryotes: 3. eukaryote
Adaptation - correct answer an evolutionary modification that improves an individual's
chances of survival and reproductive success in its environment; genetic traits passed
on to successive generations
Animalia - correct answermulticellular eukaryotes; heterotrophs; sensory organs,
nervous system
Atmosphere - correct answerthe gaseous envelope surrounding Earth
Biodiversity - correct answerthe variation among organisms encompassing not only
species richness, but also genetic and ecosystem diversity
Biodiversity hotspot - correct answera relatively small area that is identified as having
great species diversity and as being highly threatened by human activities; large
percentage of endemic species; termed coined by Norman Myers; nearly 20% of the
world's population live in these hotspots
- 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world that are home to as many as 44% of all species of
vascular plants, 29% of endemic bird species, 27% e. mammal species, 38% e. reptile
species and 53% e. amphibian species
Biological diversity - correct answerthe number and variety of life forms on Earth, or the
variation among organisms
Biosphere - correct answerThe regions of Earth's atmosphere, ocean, land surface and
soil containing living organisms
Carrying capacity (k) - correct answer(of an environment) causes a levelling out of
population growth; k is the maximum number of individuals of a given
population/species that a particular environment can support indefinitely; in nature, it is
dynamic and changes in response to environmental changes (e.g. prolonged drought)
Cellular Respiration - correct answeris a process whereby energy is obtained through
the breaking down of organic molecules
- energy flow is the one way passage of energy through an ecosystem
Competitive exclusion - correct answerThe concept that when populations of two similar
species compete for the same limited resources, one population will use the resources
more efficiently and have a reproductive advantage that will eventually lead to the
elimination of the other population
, Consumers - correct answeranimals that use the bodies of other organisms as a source
of food energy and body building materials; heterotrophs- primary consumers
(herbivores) eat producers, secondary consumers (omnivores, carnivores), tertiary
consumers,
Darwin's limitations - correct answerDarwin could not explain how individuals transmit
traits to the next generation or why individuals vary within a population
Decomposers - correct answerare heterotrophs that break down dead organic material
and use the decomposition products to supply themselves with energy; typically release
inorganic molecules (carbon dioxide, mineral salts) that producers can reuse; prevent
accumulation of dead organisms and waste
- eg. bacteria, fungi
Density-dependent factors - correct answer(affecting population size) are environmental
factors whose effects on a population change as population density changes; as
population density increases, density-dependent factors tend to slow population growth
by causing an increase in the death rate and/or a decrease in birth rate; e.g. predation,
disease and competition; seen in a boom-bust cycle
Density-independent factors - correct answerbiological factors, typically abiotic, that
affect the size of a population regardless of the population density; e.g. weather, natural
disasters
Detritivores - correct answer(detritus feeders) consume detritus, which is organic matter
that includes animal carcasses, leaf littler, faeces
- eg. snails, crabs, clams, worms
Differential reproductive success - correct answerindividuals possessing the most
favourable combinations of characteristics are more likely to survive, reproduce and
pass their traits to the next generation; best adapted individuals reproduce most
successfully, whereas less fit individuals tend to die prematurely or produce fewer,
inferior offspring
- can, over time and with geographical separation of populations, produce new species
drivers of biodiversity loss - correct answer(most 'important direct drivers) habitat
change, climate change, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution
Ecological niche - correct answerthe totality of an organism's adaptations, its use of
resources, and the lifestyle to which it is suited; takes into account all aspects of an
organism's existence- physical, chemical and biological factors an organism needs to
survive, maintain health and reproduce; includes an organism's habitat and interactions
with biotic and abiotic components of its environment
