Ecosystem Development and Relationships - AP Environmental Science
Card 1 of 730
Which of the following choices is best defined as a group of genetically compatible (able to mate) individuals living in the same geographical area.
Which of the following choices is best defined as a group of genetically compatible (able to mate) individuals living in the same geographical area.
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Populations consist of individuals of the same species in a common area. Communities are made up of groups of populations of different species within a given geographic range. Last, a niche refers to the specialized role and position that a species has within its environment.
Populations consist of individuals of the same species in a common area. Communities are made up of groups of populations of different species within a given geographic range. Last, a niche refers to the specialized role and position that a species has within its environment.
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The Galapagos Islands are famously associated with Charles Darwin. The islands are home to many species that can be found nowhere else in the world; furthermore, some of the Galapagos species are only found on a single island.
Which of the following choices best describes a species that is found in only one area?
The Galapagos Islands are famously associated with Charles Darwin. The islands are home to many species that can be found nowhere else in the world; furthermore, some of the Galapagos species are only found on a single island.
Which of the following choices best describes a species that is found in only one area?
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A species is "endemic" when it is found only in one particular location. The flightless cormorant, marine iguana, and Galapagos penguin are all examples of species that are endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
A species is "endemic" when it is found only in one particular location. The flightless cormorant, marine iguana, and Galapagos penguin are all examples of species that are endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
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Which of the following terms describes the array of living organisms, their assemblages, their evolutionary and natural histories, as well as their interactions with each other?
Which of the following terms describes the array of living organisms, their assemblages, their evolutionary and natural histories, as well as their interactions with each other?
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The correct answer choice is biodiversity. Biodiversity is the area within biology focused on understanding biological diversity. The terms "disturbance" and "fragmentation" are natural processes that can have impacts on species, but they do not describe species. The terms "biomagnification" and "bioaccumulation" describe how nutrients and contaminants accumulate over time.
The correct answer choice is biodiversity. Biodiversity is the area within biology focused on understanding biological diversity. The terms "disturbance" and "fragmentation" are natural processes that can have impacts on species, but they do not describe species. The terms "biomagnification" and "bioaccumulation" describe how nutrients and contaminants accumulate over time.
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Land managers are responsible for conserving biodiversity within areas of natural habitat. By monitoring specific species in the habitat, land managers can tell whether or not they have a healthy ecosystem. Which do we call species that gives us information about the health of an ecosystem?
Land managers are responsible for conserving biodiversity within areas of natural habitat. By monitoring specific species in the habitat, land managers can tell whether or not they have a healthy ecosystem. Which do we call species that gives us information about the health of an ecosystem?
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The correct response is indicator species. If the indicator species is healthy, then it tells or indicates that the ecosystem as a whole is healthy. Indigenous species are native to a certain location, while invasive species are those that are not native to a location and their introduction usually causes harm to the existing ecosystem. A keystone species is one that plays a critical role in the overall health of an ecosystem.
The correct response is indicator species. If the indicator species is healthy, then it tells or indicates that the ecosystem as a whole is healthy. Indigenous species are native to a certain location, while invasive species are those that are not native to a location and their introduction usually causes harm to the existing ecosystem. A keystone species is one that plays a critical role in the overall health of an ecosystem.
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Which form of signaling is very important in marine ecosystems both in intraspecies and interspecies communication and is used by many reef fishes in conjunction with other senses to recognize places and receive warnings.
Which form of signaling is very important in marine ecosystems both in intraspecies and interspecies communication and is used by many reef fishes in conjunction with other senses to recognize places and receive warnings.
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Olfaction in fish and other marine life is very important. Smells are carried on currents and can be used to identify and find prey, recognize familiar territory, attract mates, and warn predators and/or competitors of defense mechanisms.
Olfaction in fish and other marine life is very important. Smells are carried on currents and can be used to identify and find prey, recognize familiar territory, attract mates, and warn predators and/or competitors of defense mechanisms.
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Of the following biomes, which contains the highest biodiversity?
Of the following biomes, which contains the highest biodiversity?
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Somewhere between 40% and 75% of all species are indigenous to rainforests, meaning that they are found nowhere else on earth. They contain half of the extant animal and plant species currently on earth, with a large majority of all flowering plants found there. Many of the world's natural medicines have been found in tropical rainforests, and with thousands of undiscovered species still lurking within them, it is likely that there are many more medicines waiting to be discovered.
Somewhere between 40% and 75% of all species are indigenous to rainforests, meaning that they are found nowhere else on earth. They contain half of the extant animal and plant species currently on earth, with a large majority of all flowering plants found there. Many of the world's natural medicines have been found in tropical rainforests, and with thousands of undiscovered species still lurking within them, it is likely that there are many more medicines waiting to be discovered.
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Some species of barnacles live attached to the skin of whales. This allows them to travel vast distances through the ocean without ever actually moving, guaranteeing them a constantly changing supply of food. While this is tremendously beneficial for the barnacles, it doesn't really have any effect on the whales, which are large enough that the barnacles aren't even a minor annoyance.
What kind of symbiosis does this describe?
Some species of barnacles live attached to the skin of whales. This allows them to travel vast distances through the ocean without ever actually moving, guaranteeing them a constantly changing supply of food. While this is tremendously beneficial for the barnacles, it doesn't really have any effect on the whales, which are large enough that the barnacles aren't even a minor annoyance.
What kind of symbiosis does this describe?
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In relationships based upon commensalism, one of the species benefits greatly, while the other is neither harmed nor helped. This is different from mutualism, where both species are benefited, and parasitism, where one species is benefited and the other is hindered. "Endosymbiosis" is the theory used to describe how mitochondria developed, and "predation" describes a situation where one organism feeds on another.
In relationships based upon commensalism, one of the species benefits greatly, while the other is neither harmed nor helped. This is different from mutualism, where both species are benefited, and parasitism, where one species is benefited and the other is hindered. "Endosymbiosis" is the theory used to describe how mitochondria developed, and "predation" describes a situation where one organism feeds on another.
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Which of the following choices correctly ranks the species conservation statuses from least serious to most serious?
Which of the following choices correctly ranks the species conservation statuses from least serious to most serious?
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Least concerned refers to the lowest risk where species members are abundant. Near threatened means the species is likely to become endangered at some point. Vulnerable means that, in the wild, the species are at high risk for becoming endangered. Endangered is similar to vulnerable, but has a high risk of extinction, not just endangerment. Extinct means there are no more members of the individuals in a species remaining. The correct ranking is as follows: least concerned, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, and extinct.
Least concerned refers to the lowest risk where species members are abundant. Near threatened means the species is likely to become endangered at some point. Vulnerable means that, in the wild, the species are at high risk for becoming endangered. Endangered is similar to vulnerable, but has a high risk of extinction, not just endangerment. Extinct means there are no more members of the individuals in a species remaining. The correct ranking is as follows: least concerned, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, and extinct.
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Which of the following is not a direct cause of depletion and premature extinction of wild species?
Which of the following is not a direct cause of depletion and premature extinction of wild species?
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Population growth is an underlying cause of depletion and premature extinction of a wild species, but is not a direct cause. On the other hand, habitat loss is a direct cause of depletion and premature extinction of wild species due to processes like over logging, damming rivers, or urban development. Pollution is a direct cause of extinction in the wild, usually caused as streams, rivers, and oceans are polluted. The introduction of an invasive, nonnative species to an environment can create an unbalanced ecosystem, directly causing extinction of wild species. These invasive species are often harmful and fill niches previously occupied by native species. Increasing predator species in an area can significantly reduce or drive prey species to extinction. Similarly, increasing the use of pesticides and pest controls can directly cause extinction of organisms in the affected ecosystem.
Population growth is an underlying cause of depletion and premature extinction of a wild species, but is not a direct cause. On the other hand, habitat loss is a direct cause of depletion and premature extinction of wild species due to processes like over logging, damming rivers, or urban development. Pollution is a direct cause of extinction in the wild, usually caused as streams, rivers, and oceans are polluted. The introduction of an invasive, nonnative species to an environment can create an unbalanced ecosystem, directly causing extinction of wild species. These invasive species are often harmful and fill niches previously occupied by native species. Increasing predator species in an area can significantly reduce or drive prey species to extinction. Similarly, increasing the use of pesticides and pest controls can directly cause extinction of organisms in the affected ecosystem.
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Which of the following terms refers to a group of organisms that are of the same species?
Which of the following terms refers to a group of organisms that are of the same species?
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A population is a collecting of individuals from the same species. Populations are a unit of organization that has measurable properties, such as population density and home range. Populations are altered by birth and death, immigration, and emigration.
A population is a collecting of individuals from the same species. Populations are a unit of organization that has measurable properties, such as population density and home range. Populations are altered by birth and death, immigration, and emigration.
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Which of the following models was identified by Richard Levins and describes the connectivity of populations in different habitats within the same landscape? It suggested that individuals migrate from one habitat to another, which moved genes and maintained the health of the species.
Which of the following models was identified by Richard Levins and describes the connectivity of populations in different habitats within the same landscape? It suggested that individuals migrate from one habitat to another, which moved genes and maintained the health of the species.
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The correct answer is “metapopulation model.” It describes multiple sub-populations that are connected together in a larger, metapopulation. This is typically shown as patches within a larger landscape. The patches represent sub-populations. Individuals can migrate from one patch to another, but they are all part of the same population.
The correct answer is “metapopulation model.” It describes multiple sub-populations that are connected together in a larger, metapopulation. This is typically shown as patches within a larger landscape. The patches represent sub-populations. Individuals can migrate from one patch to another, but they are all part of the same population.
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Life history traits can be highly variable in a population. Which of the following is not an example of a life history trait?
Life history traits can be highly variable in a population. Which of the following is not an example of a life history trait?
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The correct answer is “evenness.” All the other terms describe life history traits. “Maturity” refers to the age of first reproduction. “Parity” is described as the count of reproduction events. Last, “fecundity” is defined the number of offspring at each reproduction event.
The correct answer is “evenness.” All the other terms describe life history traits. “Maturity” refers to the age of first reproduction. “Parity” is described as the count of reproduction events. Last, “fecundity” is defined the number of offspring at each reproduction event.
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Which of the following terms describes a species that has a disproportionate effect on its community than would be expected by its overall biomass?
Which of the following terms describes a species that has a disproportionate effect on its community than would be expected by its overall biomass?
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The correct response is “keystone species.” A keystone species makes up a small portion of community; however, it has a major impact on the community structure despite making up a small percentage of the ecosystem that it inhabits. "Dominant species" have large number and large impacts; thus, this answer choice does not fulfill the disproportionate part of the description. "Common species" and "rare species" both have low impacts on the community structure, so they are poor answer choices.
The correct response is “keystone species.” A keystone species makes up a small portion of community; however, it has a major impact on the community structure despite making up a small percentage of the ecosystem that it inhabits. "Dominant species" have large number and large impacts; thus, this answer choice does not fulfill the disproportionate part of the description. "Common species" and "rare species" both have low impacts on the community structure, so they are poor answer choices.
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Beavers build dams and manipulate the terrestrial-aquatic system to their advantage. A species like the beaver that strongly modifies their environment is called a(n) .
Beavers build dams and manipulate the terrestrial-aquatic system to their advantage. A species like the beaver that strongly modifies their environment is called a(n) .
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The correct response is "ecosystem engineer." An ecosystem engineer manipulates and engineers the habitat to benefit them in a significant way. If an ecosystem engineer like the beaver is removed from the environment, it can have detrimental effects on other species and the community structure.
The correct response is "ecosystem engineer." An ecosystem engineer manipulates and engineers the habitat to benefit them in a significant way. If an ecosystem engineer like the beaver is removed from the environment, it can have detrimental effects on other species and the community structure.
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What does the I=PAT equation describe?
What does the I=PAT equation describe?
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The I=PAT equation was developed in the 1970s and it describes the impact of human population, affluence and technology on the environment. The equation is used as an aid in understanding how the size of a population, its affluence (i.e., the average consumption of each person), and the efficiency level of the population’s technology will affect the population’s general impact on the environment. The equation is simplistic and should not be seen as an accurate assessment of a population. Rather, it is a thought-provoking tool.
The I=PAT equation was developed in the 1970s and it describes the impact of human population, affluence and technology on the environment. The equation is used as an aid in understanding how the size of a population, its affluence (i.e., the average consumption of each person), and the efficiency level of the population’s technology will affect the population’s general impact on the environment. The equation is simplistic and should not be seen as an accurate assessment of a population. Rather, it is a thought-provoking tool.
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Which of the following is not true of human population growth?
Which of the following is not true of human population growth?
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When graphed, the human population shows a J-shaped curve. The human population grew very slowly at first. However, its growth is exponential, so the human population doubles in a shorter time period every time. An S-shaped curve, by comparison, would show a leveling off or decrease in population.
When graphed, the human population shows a J-shaped curve. The human population grew very slowly at first. However, its growth is exponential, so the human population doubles in a shorter time period every time. An S-shaped curve, by comparison, would show a leveling off or decrease in population.
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Two organisms with the same behavioral, evolutionary, and genetic traits living in different geographic locations can best be described as being which of these?
Two organisms with the same behavioral, evolutionary, and genetic traits living in different geographic locations can best be described as being which of these?
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Because the organisms are genetically, behaviorally, and evolutionarily the same, they are the same species. However, their difference in location means that they cannot be in the same population. Additionally, to be in the same community, they must be in the same population. Hence, they are only related to each other by species and nothing else listed.
Because the organisms are genetically, behaviorally, and evolutionarily the same, they are the same species. However, their difference in location means that they cannot be in the same population. Additionally, to be in the same community, they must be in the same population. Hence, they are only related to each other by species and nothing else listed.
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Which classification encompasses all the others?
Which classification encompasses all the others?
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The Biosphere is the collection of all biomes on Earth and the interactions between them. A species is representative of a group of organisms, while a population is a specific subset of a species. A community is the collection of all the populations that interact with each other within a given geographic area. An ecosystem is the interactions between a community and the abiotic factors within their geographic proximity. A biome is the overall interplay between similar ecosystems. Only the Biosphere contains all other answer choices within itself.
The Biosphere is the collection of all biomes on Earth and the interactions between them. A species is representative of a group of organisms, while a population is a specific subset of a species. A community is the collection of all the populations that interact with each other within a given geographic area. An ecosystem is the interactions between a community and the abiotic factors within their geographic proximity. A biome is the overall interplay between similar ecosystems. Only the Biosphere contains all other answer choices within itself.
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Symbiosis is an association between two or more species. Generally one species is living on or in another. These relationships can be helpful, harmful or have no effect.
What are the three types of symbioses?
Symbiosis is an association between two or more species. Generally one species is living on or in another. These relationships can be helpful, harmful or have no effect.
What are the three types of symbioses?
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Mutualism is when both species benefit. Commensalism is when one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped. Parasitism is when one species is negatively affected by the other.
Mutualism is when both species benefit. Commensalism is when one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped. Parasitism is when one species is negatively affected by the other.
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Choose the correct order, from smallest to largest group size.
Choose the correct order, from smallest to largest group size.
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Obviously, the smallest level of organization is the individual. This is followed by the same-species population, then the complete community of all species in a given area. Finally, the ecosystem is the largest level, including abiotic elements of the habitat.
Obviously, the smallest level of organization is the individual. This is followed by the same-species population, then the complete community of all species in a given area. Finally, the ecosystem is the largest level, including abiotic elements of the habitat.
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