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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. 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






2. Algae - crabs - crustacea - and many different species of fish






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






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






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






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






7. 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






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






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






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






11. Recycle water - oxygen - and phosphorus






12. 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






13. 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






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






15. 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






16. The chief disruptive force






17. Deer - fox - woodchuck - and squirrel






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






19. Animals that consume primary consumers (carnivores)






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






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






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






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






24. Region exposed to low tides that undergoes variations in temperature and periods of dryness






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






26. 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






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






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






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






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






31. Vegetation has evolved adaptations for water conservation such as needle shaped leaves






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






33. Organisms that manufacture their own food






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






35. Conserve water actively






36. 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






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






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






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






40. 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






41. Only animal life and other heterotrophic life exists






42. 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






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






44. The ultimate source of energy for all organisms






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






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






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






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






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






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