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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. Conserve water actively






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






3. Freshwater Biomes vs. Saltwater 2: In rivers and streams - strong swift currents exist - and thus fish that have developed strong muscles and plants with _____________ have survived






4. The study of interactions between organisms and their environment






5. Deer - fox - woodchuck - and squirrel






6. The chief disruptive force






7. 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






8. 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






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






10. Every energy transfer involves a loss of energy and each level of the food chain uses some of the energy it obtains from the food for its own metabolism and loses some additional energy in the form of heat






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






12. Must be maintained at an optimal level -organisms have adaptations necessary for protection against extremes






13. The stable - living part of the ecosystem in whicih populations exist in balance with each other and with the environment






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






15. Rock and soil surface






16. 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






17. Developed long legs and many are hoofed






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






19. Encompasses all that is external to the organism and is necessary for its existence






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






21. Chief animal inhabitant is the moose; however - the black bear - wolf - and some birds






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






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






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






25. Symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit






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






27. Characterized by low rainfall - although considerably more than the desert biomes receive -provide no shelter for herbivorous mammals from carnivorous predators -ex: East of the Rockies - steppes of the Ukraine - and the pampas of Argentina






28. Live together in an intimate - often permanent association - which may or may not be beneficial to both participants






29. 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






30. 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






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






32. Monkeys - lizards - snakes - and birds - floor is inhabited by saprophytes






33. Distinct community in a geographic region






34. Nutrients - water - and sunlight limitations aid in maintaining populations at relatively constant levels






35. 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






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






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






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






39. Recycle water - oxygen - and phosphorus






40. 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






41. 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






42. Body temperature is very close to that of their surroundings -as temperature rises - these organisms become more active






43. Have adaptations enabling them to survive in very cod water - with high pressures - and in complete darkness






44. Adaptations for maintaining their internal osmolarity and conserving water






45. Contains plankton - passively drifting masses of microscopic photosynthetic and heterotrophic organisms - and nekton - and algae






46. Two fates await the ammonia (NH3). some are nitrified or dentrified






47. Animals that eat both plants and animals






48. Animals that consume dead animals






49. Animals that feed on secondary consumer






50. Food chain is not a simple linear chain but an intricate web