Ecology Practice Test

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (soil, water, and climate).

Front

Define biome.

Back

A biome is a large geographical biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions, such as deserts, forests, and tundras.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow through the system.

Front

Explain the carbon cycle.

Back

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, water, and living organisms, involving processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Front

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next, while a food web is a more complex network of interconnected food chains.

Front

Define biodiversity.

Back

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species and genetic diversity within those species.

Front

What is ecological succession?

Back

Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance, leading to a more stable community.

Front

What is the significance of keystone species?

Back

Keystone species are organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance, playing a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecosystem.

Front

Explain the concept of carrying capacity.

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the habitat.