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






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






3. 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






4. 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






5. Regiong beneatht he photic zone that receives no light






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






7. Deer - fox - woodchuck - and squirrel






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






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






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






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






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






14. Vegetation such as vines and eppiphytes






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






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






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






18. 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






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






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






21. 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






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






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






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






25. Determines water holding capacity






26. 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






27. Animals that consume primary consumers (carnivores)






28. Distinct community in a geographic region






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






30. Animals that feed on secondary consumer






31. Animals eat plants and use the digested nutrients to form carbohydrates - fats - and proteins characteristic of the species. a part of these organic compounds is used as fuel in respiration in plants and animals






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






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






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






35. 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






36. Determine by the amount of decaying plant and animal life in the soil






37. Developed long legs and many are hoofed






38. 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






39. 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






40. The chief disruptive force






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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






47. Polar bears - musk oxen - and arctic hens






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






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






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