Biology (ecology)

• What are communities in ecology?

  All living things in a specific place
• What is a population in ecology?

  All organisms of any species in a habitat
• What is the difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition?

  • Interspecific competition: between different species
  • Intraspecific competition: between the same species
• How do organisms interact with their environment?

  They compete for resources and depend on each other
• What is an abiotic factor?

  A non-living factor in an ecosystem
• Give examples of abiotic factors.

  Temperature, moisture, wind intensity, light
• Why is light intensity significant for plants?

  It affects the rate of photosynthesis
• What is a biotic factor?

  A living factor in an ecosystem
• How does interdependence affect ecosystems?

  Changes in one factor affect all parts
• What can cause imbalances in organism populations?

  Direct and indirect effects of biotic factors
• What are adaptations?

  Features that help organisms survive
• What are behavioral adaptations?

  Features that improve survival chances
• How does less food affect populations?

  It causes populations to shrink
• What is the significance of temperature in ecosystems?

  It controls the rate of photosynthesis
• How do soil factors impact plant growth?

  They affect water content and nutrient levels
• What are the effects of a new predator in a community?

  • Decrease in prey population
  • Indirect effects on other organisms
• What are structural adaptations?

  Physical features that help organisms survive
• How do cacti adapt to their environment?

  They have spines to reduce water loss
• What is the original source of energy for living organisms?

  The Sun
• What is the role of decomposers?

  They obtain nutrients from organic matter
• What are food chains?

  • Represent feeding relationships
  • Show direct energy transfer between organisms
• What are predators and prey?

  Predators eat other animals; prey are eaten
• How do predator and prey populations interact?

  They rise and fall in cycles
• What is a quadrat?

  A tool for sampling species abundance
• What are the rules for using quadrats?

  • Positioning must be random
  • Sufficient number for representation
• What is the formula to estimate total snails?

  $\text{Total snails} =$$\frac{4000}{25} \times 80$
• How do you estimate the total number of snails in a habitat?

  Use quadrat sampling method
• What is a transect?

  A line used to measure organism distribution
• What are the three main types of averages?

  Mean, median, and mode
• How is the median calculated?

  Middle value when data is ordered
• How is the mode calculated?

  The value that occurs most often
• How is the mean calculated?

  Sum of values divided by number of values
• What are the key terms in the carbon cycle?

  • Combustion
  • Photosynthesis
  • Respiration
  • Decay
• What factors affect the rate of decomposition?

  Bacteria, fungi, temperature, water, oxygen
• How does temperature affect decomposition?

  Cold slows it; heat speeds it up
• What role does water play in decomposition?

  Moist conditions increase decomposition rate
• What is biogas?

  A fuel made mostly of methane gas
• How does oxygen availability affect decomposition?

  Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to decompose
• What is the practical activity to investigate temperature's effect on decay?

  1. Add lipase to a tube
  2. Add milk and phenolphthalein
  3. Set water bath temperature
  4. Time reaction until color change
  5. Record results at different temperatures
• How is the rate of decomposition calculated?

  $\text{Rate (s}^{-1}\text{)} =$$\frac{1000}{\text{Time for color change (s)}}$