Midterm Review

Front

What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Front

What role do sea otters play in their ecosystem?

Back

Sea otters are keystone species that help maintain the balance of marine ecosystems by controlling sea urchin populations, which in turn allows kelp forests to thrive.

Front

Define commensalism.

Back

Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

What is the function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for plants.

Front

What is the significance of pectoral fins in fish?

Back

Pectoral fins are used for steering, balance, and sometimes for propulsion in fish.

Front

What is the difference between mutualism and parasitism?

Back

In mutualism, both organisms benefit from the relationship, while in parasitism, one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

Front

What are nutrients?

Back

Nutrients are substances that provide nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.

Front

What is the purpose of scuba gear?

Back

Scuba gear allows divers to breathe underwater by providing a supply of air and enabling them to explore aquatic environments.

Front

What is the role of crabs in a marine food web?

Back

Crabs often serve as both predators and prey, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.

Front

Explain the concept of predation.

Back

Predation is a biological interaction where one organism (the predator) hunts and eats another organism (the prey).