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






2. 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






3. Symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit






4. The oceans






5. 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






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






7. Animals that consume only plants or plant foods






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






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






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






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






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






13. 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






14. Rock and soil surface






15. Polar bears - musk oxen - and arctic hens






16. Animals that consume primary consumers (carnivores)






17. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






18. 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






19. 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






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






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






22. 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






23. 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






24. 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






25. 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






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






27. Determines water holding capacity






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






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. Without a constant input of energy from the sun - an ecosystem would soon run down - as food is transferred from one level of the food chain to the next - a transfer of energy occurs






31. Jungles characterized by high temperatures and torrential rains -found in Central Africa - Central America - the Amazon basic - and Southeast Asia






32. Only animal life and other heterotrophic life exists






33. Plants growing on other plants - trees grow closely together; sunlight hardly reaches the forest floor






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






35. Links between oceans and land






36. 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






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






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






39. Regiong beneatht he photic zone that receives no light






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






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






42. Affect the type of vegetation that can be supported






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






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






45. Each member of a food chain uses some of the energy it obtains from its food for its own metabolism and loses some additional energy in the form of heat






46. Lichens and moss






47. 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






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






49. Include saprophytic organisms and organisms of decay






50. Organisms that manufacture their own food