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General Biology: Ecology and Biomes

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Termini in questo insieme (29)

  • What is ecology?

    Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environments.

  • What are biotic and abiotic factors?

    Biotic factors are all living organisms in an area; abiotic factors are the nonliving components of the environment.

  • Name the four levels of ecological study.

    1) Organismal ecology, 2) Population ecology, 3) Community ecology, 4) Ecosystem ecology.

  • What does organismal ecology focus on?

    It studies evolutionary adaptations that enable individual organisms to meet challenges posed by abiotic factors.

  • What is population ecology concerned with?

    It studies groups of individuals of the same species in a geographic area, focusing on population density and growth.

  • Define community ecology.

    Study of all organisms inhabiting a particular area and how interactions between species affect community structure.

  • What is ecosystem ecology?

    Study of energy flow and chemical cycling among abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem.

  • What is a biome?

    A major terrestrial or aquatic life zone characterized by vegetation type or physical environment.

  • What determines aquatic biomes?

    Salinity and other physical factors determine aquatic biomes, which cover about 75% of Earth's surface.

  • Difference between freshwater and marine biomes?

    Freshwater biomes have salt concentration <1%, marine biomes about 3% salt concentration.

  • What are the major zones of lakes and ponds?

    Photic zone (light for photosynthesis), aphotic zone (no light), and benthic realm (bottom sediments).

  • Why does sewage cause heavy algal growth in lakes?

    Sewage adds mineral nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that stimulate algal growth.

  • What characterizes wetlands?

    Transitional biomes between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, periodically or permanently covered with water, rich in species diversity.

  • What is the pelagic realm in marine biomes?

    All open ocean water; photosynthesis by phytoplankton supports diverse animal communities.

  • How do mountains affect climate?

    Air temperature drops with elevation; mountains can block moist air, causing different climates on each side.

  • What factors primarily determine terrestrial biome distribution?

    Climate, especially temperature and rainfall, largely determines terrestrial biomes.

  • Why is there so much rainfall in the tropics?

    Warm air at the equator rises, cools, forms clouds, and causes heavy rainfall.

  • What is convergent evolution in biomes?

    Appearance of similar traits in species from different biomes due to similar environmental pressures.

  • Describe the tropical rainforest biome.

    Warm year-round, high rainfall, layered vegetation with a closed canopy; climbing plants common to reach sunlight.

  • What adaptations help desert plants and animals survive?

    Water conservation mechanisms, such as water-storing plants and nocturnal or burrowing animals.

  • What is the water cycle?

    Continuous movement of water between land, oceans, and atmosphere via precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration.

  • How do human activities affect the water cycle?

    Deforestation, groundwater pumping, and global warming alter precipitation patterns and water availability.

  • What is sustainability?

    Managing Earth's resources to meet current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.

  • How does climate change affect species distribution?

    Species ranges shift toward poles or higher elevations as temperatures rise.

  • What causes the greenhouse effect?

    Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere by absorbing and reflecting radiant heat.

  • What is the major source of CO2 from human activities?

    Burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas.

  • How does global warming affect forests?

    Increased wildfires and pest outbreaks, such as bark beetles, which thrive in warmer conditions.

  • What is permafrost and where is it found?

    Permanently frozen subsoil found in Arctic tundra regions.

  • What biome is expected to replace melting tundra?

    Coniferous forest as permafrost melts and conditions warm.