Biology - Ecology - Quick Guides

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Study GuideBiology–Ecology1. Quiz Ecology1. QuestionWhich of the following is a group of individuals belonging to one species?Answer Choices•community•ecosystem•populationCorrect AnswerpopulationWhy This Is CorrectA population consists of all individuals of thesame speciesliving in a specific area at the same time.A community includes different species living together, and an ecosystem includes both livingorganisms and nonliving factors like water and soil.For example:All the deer living in a forest make up a population.2. QuestionWhich of the following includes interactions between communities and their physical environments?

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Study GuideAnswer Choices•biosphere•ecosystem•populationCorrect AnswerecosystemWhy This Is CorrectAn ecosystem includes living organisms (communities)andthe nonliving parts of their environment,such as air, water, soil, and sunlight. It focuses on how these living and nonliving components interactwith each other.For example:A pond ecosystem includes fish, plants, microorganisms, water, sunlight, and nutrients—all interactingtogether.3. QuestionWhich of the following is a collection of different populations, each with its own niche?Answer Choices•community•ecosystem•populationCorrect Answercommunity

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Study GuideWhy This Is CorrectA community is made up ofdifferent populations of different speciesliving in the same area. Eachpopulation has its own role, orniche, within that community.For example:In a forest community, trees, birds, insects, and deer are all different populations, each performing aspecific role in the ecosystem.2. CommunitiesLiving organisms do not exist alone. Plants, animals, and other organisms live together incommunities. You can find communities in places likedeserts, forests, grasslands, and saltmarshes.Acommunityis made up ofmany different populationsliving in thesame place at the same timeand interacting with one another.2.1Habitat and NicheWithin a community, each population has both ahabitatand aniche.•HabitatThephysical placewhere an organism lives (for example, a pond, forest floor, or tree canopy).•NicheTherole or joban organism has in the community.A niche describes how a population:•Gets its food•Reproduces•Survives climate conditions•Uses space•Interacts with other organisms•Is active during certain times of day or year

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Study GuideIn simple terms, a habitat iswherean organism lives, and a niche ishowit lives.Competitive Exclusion PrincipleThecompetitive exclusion principlestates thattwo species cannot occupy the same niche inthe same place at the same time for long periods. Eventually, one species will outcompete theother or be forced to change its niche.2.2SymbiosisSymbiosisis a close and long-lasting relationship between two different populations living together ina community.There are several types of symbiotic relationships:2.2.1Mutualism•Both populations benefit•Example:Lichens, which are formed by a fungus and an alga living together2.2.2Commensalism•One population benefits, and the other isneither helped nor harmed•Example:Humans and the bacteria in their intestines2.2.3Parasitism•One population benefits, while the other isharmed•Example: Microorganisms that cause disease in humans2.2.4Synergism•Both populations benefit by working together, accomplishing somethingneither could doalone

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Study Guide2.3PredationPopulations in a community often interact throughpredation, where one organism (the predator)captures and eats another (the prey).Key points about predation:•Predators usually havemore than one prey species•They tend to feed on themost abundant prey•When one prey population decreases, predators switch to anotherspeciesThis switching causesfluctuations in population sizesover time.Adaptations for SurvivalNatural selection favors:•Predators that arebetter hunters•Prey that arebetter at avoiding predatorsCommon prey adaptations include:•Poisonous toxins•Chemical defenses•Warning coloration•Camouflage•MimicryThese adaptations help prey survive and reproduce.2.4Ecological SuccessionCommunities do not stay the same forever. Over time, they change in an orderly and predictable way.This process is calledsuccession.

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Study Guide2.4.1Primary Succession•Occurs inlifeless areaswheresoil has not yet formed•Example: Land newly covered bylava from a volcanic eruption2.4.2Secondary Succession•Occurs in areas thatpreviouslysupported life•Soil is already present•Example: Areas recovering after a forest fire or flood2.4.3Climax CommunityDuring succession:•Certain populations dominate for a time•These populations eventually decline•New dominant populations replace themThe final, stable stage of succession is called theclimax community.3. Quiz Communities1. QuestionIn a predatory relationship, which participant does natural selection favor?Answer Choices•both the predator and the prey•the mostefficient predator•the prey that can escape predationCorrect Answerboth the predator and the prey

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