Ecology Unit Exam

Ecology Unit Exam

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE (1 pt each)

1) 1. Ecology is the study of: a) viruses and the role that they play in the ecological environment b) only the abiotic factors that occur in the environment c) interactions that take place between organisms and their environment d) something about biomes (do not pick this answer)

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2) Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor? a) temperature b) sunlight c) grasses d) water

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3) Which of the following is the correct sequence of organization in terms of ecology? a) Species>Ecosystem>Community>Population>Biome>Individual b) Individual>Species>Community>Population>Ecosystem>Biome c) Individual>Species>Population>Community>Biome>Ecosystem d) Individual>Species>Population>Community>Ecosystem>Biome

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4) Which of the following is not part of the water cycle? a) Evaporation b) Transpiration c) Condensation d) Coagulation

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5) Biodiversity is defined as: a) the variety of species in a specific area (species richness) b) the variety of populations in a specific area (population richness) c) the variety of communities in a specific area (community richness) d) biomial diversity

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6) Why is a jar of pond water considered an ecosystem? a) Depending on nonliving factors, many populations live in the jar b) Only one population lives in the jar c) Only the abiotic factors determine if algae can survive d) Many different populations of microorganisms eat the algae

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II. TRUE/FALSE (1 pt each)

7) Heterotrophs gain energy by coverting light energy into food. a) True b) False

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8) A climax community is the result of only secondary succession. a) True b) False

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9) Majority of the nitrogen cycle is contributed to nitrogen-fixating bacteria. a) True b) False

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10) All seven of the aquatic sea turtle species are listed on the endangered species list. a) True b) False

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III. FILL IN THE BLANK (1 pt each)

11) A [food chain is a simple model that scientists use to show how matter and energy move through an ecosystem.

12) [Plankton is a term that describes any organism that has the ability to "drift" or "float" in the waters of the photic zone of the ocean.

13) A population's [carrying capacity is the number of organisms of one species that a specific environment can support indefinitely.

14) [Anthropogenic impacts are impacts to the environment caused by humans.

15) [Conservation biology is the study and implementation of methods to protect biodiversity.

IV. SHORT ANSWER (5pts each)

16) Describe the difference between a organism's "habitat" and "niche." Habitat: the place where an organism lives out its life.

Niche: all strategies and adaptations a species uses in its environment (how it meets its specific needs for food and shelter, how and where it survives [habitat], and where it reproduces. In essence, a species' niche includes all of its interactions with the biotic and abiotic parts of its environment.

17) List and describe two of the three types of symbiotic relationships and give an example of each. Mutualism: both species benefit

Commensalism: one benefits, the other is unaffected

Parasitism: one is benefited, the other is harmed

18) Explain the difference between species that are k-strategists and r-strategists in terms of lifehistory patterns. K-strategists: have longer development. They survive longer and reproduction times are slower. Mammals and birds are examples of k-strategists.

R-strategists: have quick development. They have short life expectancies and reproduction times are fast. Insects and many aquatic invertebrates are r-strategists.

19) Describe the primary legislation implemented in 1973 to help protect endangered species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 made it illegal to harm any species on the endangered species or threatened species lists. The law also made it illegal for federal agencies to fund any project hat would harm organisms on these lists. *Harm includes changing an ecosystem where endangered or threatened species live.

V. ESSAY (15 pts)

20) Part I: Draw and explain the trophic level pyramid. (2 pts) Include each trophic level (2 pts) and give one example of organsims in each level.(1 pt for each organism) (8 pts total)

Part II. Explain why food chains are not a good way to model energy flow within an ecosystem. (2 pts) Draw a food web for any ecosystem you have learned in class. The food web must have AT LEAST 5 organisms (3 pts) and at least one organisms should represent a trophic level (producer, consumer, decomposer, etc.) (2 pts for each trophic level) (7 pts total) Part I:

Tertiary Consumer Secondary Consumer

Primary Consumer Producers

Tertiary Consumer: Humans, top predators Secondary Consumer: Birds, Fish Primary Consumer: Whales, Grasshoppers Producers: Trees, Grasses

Part II:

Food Chains are not a good way to model energy flow because energy does not flow in one direction. Energy flows in many different ways in an ecosystem which is why scientists use a food web to model the multi-directional flow of energy.

Any food web is acceptable and long as each part is completely answered.

VI. EXTRA CREDIT (1 pt each)

21) Explain why estuaries are good "nursery habitats" for some fish species. The cordgrass offers protection and shelter from predators. The variable salinity is conducive to reproduction. Sunlight and temperature are at good ranges to promote development. Salinity and tides are variable which allows a vast number of species to live in the estuarine habitat.

22) What are the three parts of a Tropical Rain Forest in terms of vertical stratification? Canopy: "living roof" Understory: humid Ground layer: moist

23) Tell me one thing that you learned during this Unit that I have not asked you on this exam. Anything can be accepted.

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