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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. 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






2. Include reproduction and protection from predators and destructive weather






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






4. 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






5. 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






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






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






8. Animals that eat both plants and animals






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






10. Determines water holding capacity






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






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






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






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






15. 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






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






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






18. Regiong beneatht he photic zone that receives no light






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






20. Symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit






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






22. One species may be competitively superior to the other and drive the second to extinction






23. 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






24. 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






25. 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






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






27. 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






28. Affect the type of vegetation that can be supported






29. Distinct community in a geographic region






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






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






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






33. 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






34. Recycle water - oxygen - and phosphorus






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






36. Vegetation such as vines and eppiphytes






37. Links between oceans and land






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






39. Polar bears - musk oxen - and arctic hens






40. 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






41. 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






42. Only animal life and other heterotrophic life exists






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






44. The oceans






45. Animals that consume green plants (herbivores)






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






47. Developed long legs and many are hoofed






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






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






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