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






2. 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






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






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






5. 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






6. Consists of populations of different plants and animal species interacting with each other in a given environment






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






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






9. Symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit






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






11. Affect the type of vegetation that can be supported






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






13. Forest floors contain moss and lichens






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






15. Lichens and moss






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






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






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






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






20. Polar bears - musk oxen - and arctic hens






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






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






23. The ultimate source of energy for all organisms






24. 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






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






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






27. The oceans






28. 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






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






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






31. 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






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






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






34. Determines water holding capacity






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






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






37. Regiong beneatht he photic zone that receives no light






38. 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






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






40. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






41. Composed of populations that are able to exist under the new conditions






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. Organisms that manufacture their own food






44. Animals that consume primary consumers (carnivores)






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






46. Rock and soil surface






47. Vegetation such as vines and eppiphytes






48. 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






49. Frozen area with no vegetation and terrestrial animals -animals that do inhabit polar regions generally live near the polar oceans






50. Links between oceans and land