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






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






4. Rock and soil surface






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






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






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






8. 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






9. 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






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






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






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






13. Consumer organisms that are higher in hte food chain are usually larger and heavier than those further down






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






15. Developed long legs and many are hoofed






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






17. Lichens and moss






18. Links between oceans and land






19. 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






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






21. Vegetation such as vines and eppiphytes






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






23. The vegetation that becomes dominant and stable after years of evolutiionary development






24. 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






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






26. Include saprophytic organisms and organisms of decay






27. First to resettle a virgin area






28. Recycle water - oxygen - and phosphorus






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






30. 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






31. 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






32. Animals that consume only plants or plant foods






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






34. Needs constant energy source and cycling of materials between the living system






35. Material is cycled and recycled betweenn organisms and their environments - passing from inorganic forms to organic forms and then back to the inorganic forms






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






37. The ultimate source of energy for all organisms






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






39. Distinct community in a geographic region






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






41. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






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






43. 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






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






45. Nitrates are absorbed by plants are used to syntheisze nucleic acids and plant proteins






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






47. Live in burrows had few birds and mammals are found except those which have developed adaptations for maintaining constant body temperatures






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






49. The chief disruptive force






50. Affect the type of vegetation that can be supported