Chapter 13 Ecology Quiz

Explanation
An organism is a single living entity that can carry out all the necessary functions of life, such as reproduction, growth, and responding to the environment. It is the smallest unit of life and can be a plant, animal, or microorganism. In contrast, a population refers to a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area, while an ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment. Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity within a given area.

Explanation
A population refers to a group of organisms of the same species that exist in a particular area. It represents the individuals of a species that interact and interbreed with one another. This term specifically focuses on the members of one species within a defined geographical location. For example, a population of lions in a particular national park would consist of all the lions living in that area.

Explanation
An ecosystem refers to the combination of all living organisms (population) and non-living factors (climate, soil, water, etc.) in a specific area. It is a complex network where organisms interact with each other and their environment. The term "ecosystem" encompasses both the biotic (organisms) and abiotic (non-living) components, highlighting the interdependence and interconnections between them. Therefore, the given answer is ecosystem, as it accurately describes the combination of organisms and their surrounding environment in a given area.

Explanation
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living things in an ecosystem. It encompasses all the different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that coexist in a particular habitat. Biodiversity is important for the stability and functioning of ecosystems as it ensures the availability of essential resources, such as food and shelter, and contributes to the overall health and resilience of the environment. It also plays a crucial role in providing ecosystem services, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is biodiversity.

Explanation
A keystone species is an organism that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem compared to its abundance. This species plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance and health of the ecosystem. Its presence or absence can greatly affect the diversity and abundance of other species in the ecosystem. Keystone species often have a unique ecological niche or perform important ecological functions such as controlling populations of other species or modifying the physical environment.

Explanation
An autotroph is an organism that is capable of producing its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They are the primary producers in a food chain or ecosystem, converting energy from the sun or inorganic compounds into organic matter. This answer is correct because it accurately describes an organism that makes its own food, which fits the definition of an autotroph (producer).

Explanation
A heterotroph is an organism that relies on other organisms for food. They cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis or any other means, so they must consume other organisms or organic matter to obtain energy. This distinguishes them from autotrophs, which can produce their own food, and keystone species, which have a significant impact on their ecosystem but may not necessarily rely on other organisms for food. The term "organism" is a general term that encompasses all living things, but it does not specifically describe the feeding behavior of an organism.

Explanation
Water, air, dirt, and sunlight are all examples of abiotic factors. Abiotic factors refer to non-living components of an ecosystem, which have a significant impact on the organisms living in that ecosystem. Water, air, and dirt are all physical substances that are necessary for the survival of many organisms. Sunlight is a form of energy that is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into food. Therefore, all of the given options are abiotic factors that play a crucial role in the functioning of ecosystems.

Explanation
An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals. Humans are an example of omnivores as they consume a variety of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, as well as animal-based foods such as meat, fish, and dairy products. This ability to derive nutrition from both plant and animal sources makes omnivores adaptable and able to survive in different environments.

Explanation
A herbivore is an organism that only consumes plants as its source of food. In this case, the example provided is a cow, which is known to be a herbivore as it primarily feeds on grass and other plant material. Herbivores have specialized digestive systems that allow them to break down and extract nutrients from plant matter. Unlike omnivores and detrivores, which consume a variety of food sources including plants, herbivores solely rely on plants for their nutritional needs. Decomposers, on the other hand, play a different role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead organic matter.

Explanation
A detrivore is an organism that feeds on dead organic matter. In this case, the dung beetle is specifically mentioned as an example of a detrivore that eats dead organic matter. As a detrivore, the dung beetle plays an important role in the ecosystem by breaking down and recycling organic material, such as animal dung, helping to decompose it and return essential nutrients back into the environment.

Explanation
A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead organic matter, such as fungus. It plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by decomposing dead organisms and recycling nutrients back into the environment. This process helps to maintain the balance of nutrients and energy flow in the ecosystem. Decomposers are essential for the decomposition and recycling of organic materials, contributing to the overall health and sustainability of the ecosystem.

Explanation
A food web is a network of interconnected food chains, where each organism is connected to multiple other organisms through its feeding relationships. Unlike a food chain, which represents a linear sequence of organisms that transfer energy through consumption, a food web shows the complex and interconnected nature of energy flow in an ecosystem. It demonstrates that organisms can have multiple predators and prey, and that energy can flow through different pathways. Therefore, the given answer "food web" is the most appropriate term to describe a network of linked food chains.

Explanation
Trophic levels refer to the different levels of nourishment in a food chain. In a food chain, organisms are categorized into different trophic levels based on their position in the chain and their source of energy. The first trophic level consists of primary producers, such as plants, that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. The second trophic level includes herbivores that consume the primary producers. The third trophic level comprises carnivores that feed on herbivores, and so on. Trophic levels help to illustrate the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem, highlighting the interdependence of different organisms in a food chain.