Unit 11 Ecology Review

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy decreases as it moves from producers to top predators.

Front

Which organisms are at the base of the energy pyramid?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, are at the base of the energy pyramid, as they convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

Front

What is the role of herbivores in the energy pyramid?

Back

Herbivores are primary consumers that eat producers and convert the energy stored in plants into a form that can be used by higher trophic levels.

Front

What is the significance of top predators in an ecosystem?

Back

Top predators are at the top of the energy pyramid and help regulate the populations of other species, maintaining balance in the ecosystem.

Front

Define commensalism.

Back

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

Front

Give an example of commensalism.

Back

An example of commensalism is barnacles attaching to whales; the barnacles benefit by getting a place to live, while the whale is unaffected.

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

Front

Provide an example of mutualism.

Back

An example of mutualism is bees pollinating flowers; bees get food from the flowers, and flowers get pollinated.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

Front

How does population size relate to carrying capacity?

Back

When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, resources become scarce, leading to competition and a decline in population size.