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






2. Determine by the amount of decaying plant and animal life in the soil






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






4. 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






5. 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






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






7. Links between oceans and land






8. Nekton and benthos - scavengers - and predators (fiercely competitive)






9. Lichens and moss






10. Animals that eat both plants and animals






11. Include saprophytic organisms and organisms of decay






12. Polar bears - musk oxen - and arctic hens






13. Algae - sponges - clams - snails - sea urchins - starfish - and crabs






14. Individual unit of an ecological system - but the organism itself is composed of smaller units -organs >tissues >cells >molecules >atoms > subatomic particles






15. Includes climate - temperature - availability of light and water - and the local topology






16. Community in an ecological succession is identified by a dominant species






17. Defines the functional role of an organism in its ecosystem -described what the organism eats - where and how it obtains its food - what climatic factors it can tolerate and which are optimal - the nature of its parasites and predators - where and ho






18. Animals that only eat other animals -possess pointed teeth and fang-like canine teeth for tearing flesh -have shorter digestive tracts because the easier digestibility of animal food






19. Region typical of the open seas and can be divided into photic and aphotic zones






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. Gaseous CO2 enters the living world when plants use it to produce glucose via photosynthesis. The carbon atoms in CO2 are bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms. the plant uses the glucose to make starch - proteins - and fat






22. Rivers - lakes - ponds - and marshes






23. The study of interactions between organisms and their environment






24. Recycle water - oxygen - and phosphorus






25. Rhododendrons and pines are more suited for growth in acid oil






26. First to resettle a virgin area






27. Receive less rainfall than the temperate forests - have long - cold winters - and are inhabited by single coniferous tree-the spruce -extreme northern parts of Canada and Russia






28. The metabolically produced CO2 is released to the air. The rest of the orgnaic carbon remains locked whthin an organism until its death (except for wastes given off) - at which time decay processes by bacteria return the CO2 to the air






29. Affect the type of vegetation that can be supported






30. Forest floors contain moss and lichens






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






32. Organisms that manufacture their own food






33. Animals that consume only plants or plant foods






34. Conserve water actively






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






36. Sunlit layer of the open sea extending to a depth of 250-600ft






37. Any group of similar organisms that are capable of reproducing






38. When one organism is benefited by the association and the other is not affected






39. 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






40. 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






41. The chief disruptive force






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






43. The orderly process by which one biotic community replaces or succeeds another until a climax community is established






44. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






45. Animals eat plants and use the digested nutrients to form carbohydrates - fats - and proteins characteristic of the species. a part of these organic compounds is used as fuel in respiration in plants and animals






46. Evolve toward a balance in which the predator is a regulatory influence on th prey but not a threat to its survival






47. Elemental nitrogen is chemically inert and cannot be used by most organisms. Lightning and nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the roots of legumes change the nitrogen into the usable - soluble nitrates






48. Treeless - frozen plain found between the taiga lands and the northern ice sheets - very short summer and thus a very short growing season during which time the ground becomes wet and marshy






49. Cannot synthesize their ow food and must depend upon autotrophs or others in the ecosystem to obtain their food






50. Frozen area with no vegetation and terrestrial animals -animals that do inhabit polar regions generally live near the polar oceans