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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. Lichens and moss






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






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






4. 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






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






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






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






8. Freshwater Biomes vs. Saltwater 2: In rivers and streams - strong swift currents exist - and thus fish that have developed strong muscles and plants with _____________ have survived






9. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






16. Forest floors contain moss and lichens






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






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






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






20. Animals that consume green plants (herbivores)






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






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






23. Deer - fox - woodchuck - and squirrel






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. 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






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






27. Because organisms at the upper levels of the food chain derive their food energy from organisms at lower levels - and because energy is lost from one level to the next - each level can support a successively smaller biomass






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






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






30. Adaptations for maintaining their internal osmolarity and conserving water






31. Links between oceans and land






32. 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






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






34. 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






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






36. Determines water holding capacity






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






38. 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






39. 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






40. Include saprophytic organisms and organisms of decay






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






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






43. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






44. 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






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






46. 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






47. Rock and soil surface






48. Symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit






49. 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






50. 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