Ecology Workshop
Questions
Question 1
What role do photosynthetic organisms play in an ecosystem ?
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Hint
Photosynthesis captures solar energy and uses it to ... ... ...
Answer
Photosynthetic organisms (producers) capture solar energy and use it to assemble carbohydrates from CO2 and water. Consumers then eat the producers, utilising the energy, carbohydrates and other nutrients the producers have amassed.
Hint Answer
Question 2
Contrast the movements of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem.
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Hint:
Nutrients are recycled, but energy ..............
Answer
Nutrients: formed or gathered by producers ==> a layer (or layers) of consumers ==> decomposers ==> back to producers or consumers. In other word,. the nutrients are cycled within the biosphere, the system may be almost closed.
Energy: harnessed by producers ==> a layer (or layers) of consumers ==> decomposers ==> heat, which is lost to the ecosystem eventually. Energy cycling is an open system.
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Question 3
What is the relationship between warning colouration and Batesian mimicry?
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Hint
Warning colouration alerts predators that the prey is toxic.
Answer
Batesian mimicry relies on predators assuming that certain colours and patterns indicate the prey is toxic. Mimics copy the clours or patterns of a toxic organism, using the colouration as protection. They do not expend energy on forming toxins.
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Question 4
Name some abiotic factors that may influence the distribution of plants.
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Hint
Some of the requirements of life are; energy, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and water.
Answer
Factors that affect distribution include; availability of sunlight, presence of fresh water, sufficient minerals such as phosphorus and nitrogen in the soil, temperatures suitable for growth of the plant, and sufficient space for an adequate root and shoot system.
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Question 5
What are the two major trends in the productivity of terrestrial habitats?
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Hint
Water and warmth are beneficial for growth.
Answer
The closer towards the poles one moves, the lower the productivity.
Moving from wet to dry, there is a decrease in productivity.
Hint Answer
Question 6
What sort of growth do resource limited populations undergo?
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Hint
Populations with unlimited resources have exponential growth.
Answer
Resource limited populations have logistic growth: the rate of growth slows off as the resource becomes limited...
Moving from wet to dry, there is a decrease in productivity.
Hint Answer