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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. Any group of similar organisms that are capable of reproducing






2. The ultimate source of energy for all organisms






3. Animals that consume only plants or plant foods






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






5. Affect the type of vegetation that can be supported






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






7. 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






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






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






10. Deer - fox - woodchuck - and squirrel






11. Include saprophytic organisms and organisms of decay






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






13. Symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit






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






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






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






17. Distinct community in a geographic region






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






19. 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






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






21. 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






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






23. Animals that feed on secondary consumer






24. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






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






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






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






28. Determines water holding capacity






29. Adaptations for maintaining their internal osmolarity and conserving water






30. Regiong beneatht he photic zone that receives no light






31. Animals that consume primary consumers (carnivores)






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






33. Encompasses all that is external to the organism and is necessary for its existence






34. 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






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






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






37. Organisms that manufacture their own food






38. First to resettle a virgin area






39. Animals that consume green plants (herbivores)






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






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






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






43. 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






44. 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






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






46. 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






47. 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






48. 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






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






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