9 Study Guide/Open Notes Quiz; Ecology And Environment

Decomposers play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead plants and animals, as well as the waste of other organisms. Without decomposers, the essential nutrients from dead matter and waste would not be released back into the ecosystem, leading to a buildup of organic material. This would result in a lack of essential nutrients for plants, disrupting the nutrient cycle and overall balance of the ecosystem.

The correct answer is "network of feeding relationships among all organisms in a community." This answer accurately describes what a food chain is - a series of organisms that are linked by their feeding relationships, showing the flow of energy and nutrients from one organism to another in a community. It highlights the interconnectedness of organisms and emphasizes the importance of these relationships in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem.

The correct answer explains that commensalism is a type of symbiosis where one species benefits from the interaction, while the host species is not significantly affected. This means that in commensalism, one species gains an advantage without causing harm or benefit to the other species involved.

The term "ecology" refers to the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. This field of study focuses on understanding how organisms interact with each other and their surrounding environment, including the physical and biological factors that influence these interactions. By studying ecology, scientists can gain insights into the relationships and dynamics within ecosystems, helping to inform conservation efforts and understand the impacts of environmental changes on species and their habitats.

The correct answer is "living factor that affects an ecosystem." Biotic refers to living organisms in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. These organisms play a crucial role in the ecosystem as they interact with each other, obtain energy from the sun through photosynthesis, and contribute to the overall functioning and balance of the ecosystem.

An energy pyramid is a diagram that represents the flow of energy in an ecosystem. It shows how energy is transferred from one organism to another, starting with the producers (organisms that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis) and progressing through the different trophic levels, including herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, and consumers. The pyramid illustrates that energy is lost as it moves up the food chain, with each trophic level receiving only a fraction of the energy from the level below. Therefore, the correct answer explains the purpose and structure of an energy pyramid accurately.

The term "abiotic" refers to nonliving factors that affect an ecosystem. This can include things like temperature, sunlight, water availability, and soil composition. These abiotic factors play a crucial role in shaping the structure and function of an ecosystem. They can determine which organisms can survive and thrive in a particular environment, and they can also influence the interactions between different species within the ecosystem. Therefore, the correct answer is "nonliving factor that affects an ecosystem."

The given correct answer is "organism at the base of a food chain - absorbs energy from the sun." This answer accurately describes a producer in an ecosystem. Producers, such as plants or algae, are organisms that are capable of photosynthesis and convert sunlight into energy. They are the foundation of the food chain as they provide energy for other organisms through their production of organic compounds.

The term "mutualism" refers to a symbiotic relationship in which both species involved benefit from each other. This means that both organisms involved in the relationship gain advantages or resources that they would not have access to otherwise. The concept of mutualism highlights the cooperative nature of interactions between species, where both parties contribute to each other's survival and well-being.

The correct answer is "relationship between organisms where one organism lives in (or on) another organism; harmful to the host." This answer accurately describes parasitism, which is a type of symbiotic relationship between two organisms where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other organism (the host). The parasite lives in or on the host and obtains nutrients and resources from it, causing harm or damage to the host in the process.

The correct answer is "relationshjp in which two species live closely together". This answer accurately describes symbiosis, which is a type of relationship between two different species in which they live closely together and interact with each other. Symbiotic relationships can be mutualistic, where both species benefit, or parasitic, where one species benefits at the expense of the other. This answer aligns with the definition of symbiosis and correctly identifies it as a relationship between two species.

The correct answer is "succession." Succession refers to the gradual change in living communities after an environmental disturbance. This process involves the establishment and development of different species over time, as the ecosystem recovers and reaches a stable state. It is a natural progression that occurs in response to disturbances such as fires, floods, or human activities. Succession plays a crucial role in the regeneration and resilience of ecosystems.

The correct answer is "group of ecosystems with the same climate and communities". A biome refers to a large geographic area that is characterized by a specific climate and the presence of similar plant and animal communities. It is a broad classification that encompasses multiple ecosystems within it. The key characteristic of a biome is the similarity in climate and the types of organisms that can be found in it.

The correct answer is the definition of community. It explains that community is the branch of ecology that focuses on studying the interactions among species and between species and the abiotic environment. This study helps in understanding how these interactions affect the structure of a community, including aspects like species richness, species diversity, and patterns of species abundance.

The correct answer is "group of ecosystems with the same climate and communities." This answer accurately describes an ecosystem as a collection of different organisms and their physical environment that interact with each other within a specific geographical area. The term "climate" refers to the prevailing weather conditions in that area, while "communities" refers to the various populations of organisms that exist within the ecosystem. This definition captures the essence of what an ecosystem is and how it is formed.

The correct answer is the definition of a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. This definition accurately describes the concept of symbiosis, which refers to a close and long-term interaction between two different species. In this type of relationship, one organism, known as the symbiont, benefits from the association, while the other organism, known as the host, is unaffected. This type of symbiotic relationship is known as commensalism.