Biology Ecology Test Review #1

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably.

Front

What is primary succession?

Back

The process of ecological change that occurs in an area where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption.

Front

What is secondary succession?

Back

The process of ecological change that occurs in an area where soil exists but has been disturbed, such as after a forest fire.

Front

What are limiting factors in an ecosystem?

Back

Factors that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population in an ecosystem.

Front

Give an example of a limiting factor.

Back

Food availability, water supply, space, and shelter.

Front

What is exponential growth in populations?

Back

A growth pattern where the population size increases rapidly due to abundant resources and lack of predators.

Front

What is logistic growth?

Back

A growth pattern where the population grows rapidly at first but slows as it approaches the carrying capacity of the environment.

Front

What role do invasive species play in ecosystems?

Back

Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems by outcompeting native species for resources.

Front

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

Back

Primary succession starts from bare rock without soil, while secondary succession starts from existing soil after a disturbance.

Front

What is a forest fire's role in an ecosystem?

Back

Forest fires can act as a natural limiting factor and can lead to secondary succession.