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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. When a parasite benefits at the expense of the host






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






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






4. 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






5. Developed long legs and many are hoofed






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






7. 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






8. 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






9. Group of organisms of the same species living together in a given location






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






11. Deer - fox - woodchuck - and squirrel






12. Include saprophytic organisms and organisms of decay






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






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






15. 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






16. 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






17. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






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






19. Determined by the same decisive factors-temperatures and rainfall






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






21. Animals that consume primary consumers (carnivores)






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






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






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






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






26. 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






27. The ultimate source of energy for all organisms






28. 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






29. Symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit






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






31. 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






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






33. Free-living organisms that feed on other living organisms






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






35. Links between oceans and land






36. Animals that eat both plants and animals






37. Animals that consume green plants (herbivores)






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






39. First to resettle a virgin area






40. Affect the type of vegetation that can be supported






41. 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






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






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






44. Freshwater Biomes vs. Saltwater 1: Freshwater is _______________ which results in the passage of water into the cell. Freshwater organisms have homeostatic mechanisms to maintain water balance by the regular removal of the excess water. these include






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






46. 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






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






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






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






50. Adaptations for maintaining their internal osmolarity and conserving water