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PCAT Biology Ecology

Subjects : pcat, biology
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The stable - living part of the ecosystem in whicih populations exist in balance with each other and with the environment






2. Two species may rapidly evolve in divergent directions under the strong selection pressure resulting from intense competition. thus - the two species would rapidly evolve greater differences in their niches






3. The nitrogen locked up in the wastes and dead tissues is released by the action of the bacteria of decay - which convert the proteins into ammonia






4. Affect the type of vegetation that can be supported






5. Vegetation such as vines and eppiphytes






6. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






7. An essential component of amino acids and nucleic acids - which are the building blocks of all living things






8. Links between oceans and land






9. Animals eat the plants and synthesize specific animal proteins form the plant proteins. both plants and animals give off wastes and eventually die






10. The ultimate source of energy for all organisms






11. Forest floors contain moss and lichens






12. Include saprophytic organisms and organisms of decay






13. Autotrophic green plants and chemosynthetic bacteria that use the energy of the sun and simple raw materials to manufacture carbohydrates - proteins - and lipids






14. Crawling and sessile organsms






15. One species may be competitively superior in some regions - and the other may be superior in other regions under different environmental conditions. this would result in the elimination of one species in some places and the other in other places






16. Trees such as beech - maple - oaks - and willows shed their leaves during cold winters months






17. Deer - fox - woodchuck - and squirrel






18. Animals that consume dead animals






19. The oceans






20. Region on the continental shelf that contains ocean area with depths up to 600 feet and extends several hundred miles from the shores






21. Ammonia (NH3) is broken down to release free nitrogen - which returns to the beginning of the denitrifying






22. Include those protists and fungi that decompose dead organic matter externally and absorb the nutrients - they consistitute a vital link in the cycling of material within the ecosystem






23. Freshwater Biomes vs. Saltwater 3: Freshwater biomes - except very large lakes - are affected by variations in _________. temperature of freshwater bodies varies considerably; they may freeze or dry up - and mud from their floors may be stirred up by






24. More than 70% of earth -plants have little controlling influence in communities -most stable ecosystems; the conditions affecting temperature - amount of available oxygen and cabon dioxide - and amount of suspended or dissolve materials are very stab






25. Active swimmers such as fish - sharks - or whales that feed on plankton and smaller fish






26. Have cold winters - warm summers - and moderate rainfall -found in the Northeast and Central-Eastern United States and Central Europe






27. One or both organisms can't survive without the other






28. Determines water holding capacity






29. Oceans connect to form one continuous body of water - which controls the earth's temperature by absorbing solar heat






30. One that exerts control over the other species that are present






31. Consists of populations of different plants and animal species interacting with each other in a given environment






32. Receive less than ten inches of rain each year; the rain is concentrated within a few heavy cloudbursts -ex: Sahara in Africa and Gobi in Asia






33. Evolved physical mechanisms that allow them to make Use of the heat produced as a consequence of respiratiion






34. Symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit






35. Individuals belonging to the same species use the same resources and if a particular resource is limited - then these organisms must compete with one another






36. Distinct community in a geographic region






37. Cold - dry - and inhabited by fir - pine - and spruce trees -much vegetation has evolved adaptations for water conservation such as needle-shaped leaves -Extreme Northern Part of the US and in Southern Canada






38. The major component of the internal environment of all living things






39. Includes the community and the environment and usually all five kingdoms






40. Because organisms at the upper levels of the food chain derive their food energy from organisms at lower levels - and because energy is lost from one level to the next - each level can support a successively smaller biomass






41. When a parasite benefits at the expense of the host






42. Includes all portions of the planet that support life -the atmosphere - the lithosphere - and the hydrosphere






43. Determines the nature of plant and animal life in the soil






44. Animals that consume green plants (herbivores)






45. Energy is transferred from the original sources in green plants through a series o organisms with repeated stages of consumption and finally decomposition






46. (living) includes all living things that directly or indirectly influence the life of the organism including the relationships that exist between organisms






47. Made into nitrites by chemosynthetic bacteria and then to usable nitrates by nitrifying bacteria






48. In the ocean - the top layer thorugh which light can penetrate - is where all aquatic photosynthetic activity takes place






49. Integrated system of species that are dependent upon one another for survival






50. Used to include only the population and not their physical environment