General Biology Ecology Test 1 Study Guide

Test #2 will cover topics from Ch 3 and 4. Here is a general outline of the things you should be familiar with for the exam, but this is only a starting point for your studies.

You should be familiar with all terms and definitions from chapters 3 and 4.
Ch 3

-Be familiar with the different levels at which ecology is concerned (ie populations vs ecosystems)

-Be able to discuss energy flow in an ecosystem. How do energy and nutrients move through an ecosystem (how do they differ in movement)? How is energy stored in molecules? Through what processes does energy enter an ecosystem? How does energy leave an ecosystem? What are the two laws of thermodynamics and how are they important to the number of trophic levels (and biomass) found in an ecosystem? How do these cycles differ from terrestrial (land) ecosystems and marine (oceanic) ecosystems?

-Be able to discuss the different feeding relationships using terminology like autotroph, heterotroph and decomposer as they relate to food webs, trophic levels, and ecological pyramids. (If you don’t know what these terms mean or how they relate, you should see me immediately).

-You should be able to give a basic description of each of the four cycles we discussed (Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus). Be able to compare and contrast the cycles.

-Be able to talk about what happens when limiting nutrients (make sure you know what a “limiting nutrient” is) become abundant in a system, especially an aquatic one.

Ch 4

-Be able to distinguish climate from weather.

-What is the greenhouse effect? How are we causing it?

-How does the angle of sunlight relate to latitude and amount of energy that different systems receive?

-Be able to discuss how the patterns of deserts and tropics relate to the last question as well as the facts that hot air rises and hot air holds more moisture than cold air.

-Be able to discuss biotic and abiotic factors and how these relate to the concept of the niche. Why don’t two organisms ever occupy the same niche in the same system (unless they are the same species)?

-Be able to talk about the different types of community interactions including:

competition, predation, mutualism, commensalisms, parasitism, and parasitoids. How is each organism impacted in each relationship? What is a symbiotic relationship?

-What is succession? How is primary succession different from secondary? Be able to give examples of each. How is succession different in an oceanic system? This question relates back to idea of nutrient and energy flow in ecosystems…

-You should be familiar with the different biomes we’ve discussed and what criteria determine the kind of biome found in a given location. How does a mountain range affect the type(s) of biome(s) found?

-Be able to interpret a climatograph (climate diagram). Look at the climatograms on pp100-104. Be able to relate the climatograms to the given terrestrial biome.

-Be able to identify the different types of freshwater and marine ecosystems from descriptions. Which systems are most productive (contain the most biomass) and why? Why isn’t the open ocean very productive?

It’s a lot, but you can do it. Don’t hesitate to drop by and see me for help or clarification, but don’t wait until the last minute! I’m free F and G periods, and I’m available before and after school, usually until at least 4pm.