Chapter 2—Fundamentals of Ecology
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Ecology is:
a.
a type of life style.
b.
the study of the interaction of organisms and their environment.
c.
a place where organisms live.
d.
what happens when a predator consumes a prey item.
e.
the study of the physical environment in an ecosystem.
2. The biosphere
a.
is located in the Northern Hemisphere.
b.
contains organisms with similar needs.
c.
has environmental conditions of similar temperature, pressure, and salinity.
d.
supports all of life on earth.
e.
is restricted to the continents.
3. Organisms that live under similar environmental conditions and location, and interact directly or
indirectly are part of the same:
a.
ecosystem.
b.
biosystem.
c.
abiotic habitat.
d.
biotic habitat.
e.
population.
4. An example of abiotic factors influencing marine organisms is:
a.
predation.
b.
competition for food.
c.
parasitism.
d.
salinity.
e.
bacterial disease.
5. Habitat refers to where an organism:
a.
lives.
b.
feeds.
c.
reproduces.
d.
forages.
e.
All of the above.
6. The habitat of a species has
a.
both abiotic and biotic factors.
b.
neither biotic or abiotic factors.
c.
biotic factors.
d.
abiotic factors.
7. Habitat complexity can support
a.
complex life histories.
b.
increased biodiversity.
c.
higher productivity.
d.
more different species in an area.
e.
All of the above.
8. An environment would be considered harsh to an organism if:
a.
it would be difficult for the individual to maintain homeostasis.
b.
the temperatures are extreme.
c.
salinity varies.
d.
pressure gradients are large.
e.
light levels are low.
9. Regions above or below the optimal range of an environmental variable are called:
a.
zones of stress.
b.
tolerance zones.
c.
optimal range areas.
d.
None of the above.
e.
b and c only.
10. A population growth pattern that reaches a certain level is described with a(n)
a.
logarithmic equation.
b.
exponential equation.
c.
logistic equation.
d.
J -shaped curve.
e.
quadratic equation.
11. You start to culture a petri dish of marine bacteria. Each day, the number of visible colonies growing
on the agar surface increases in this fashion: 2, 4, 16, 32, 64, 128. This growth pattern is best described
as
a.
logarithmic.
b.
logistic.
c.
exponential.
d.
quadratic.
12. The largest group and most important marine photosynthetic organisms are:
a.
kelp.
b.
seagrasses.
c.
macroalgae.
d.
phytoplankton.
e.
giant kelps.
13. Animals that obtain their body heat from internal metabolism are called:
a.
ectotherms.
b.
poikilotherms.
c.
endotherms.
d.
osmoconformers.
e.
osmoregulators.
14. An organism that maintains a constant body temperature is termed:
a.
an endotherm.
b.
an ectotherm.
c.
a poikiotherm.
d.
cold blooded.
e.
an osmoconformer.
15. An organism whose temperature is similar to its surroundings is called a(n)
a.
endotherm.
b.
poikiotherm.
c.
ectotherm.
d.
warm blooded organism.
e.
osmoregulator.
16. A particular sea bird has a Type 1 survival curve, and older female birds produce more eggs than
younger birds. What is an evolutionary strategy of these birds?
a.
young birds reach maturity rapidly
b.
reproduction is delayed
c.
birds reach maturity slowly
d.
both a and b
e.
both b and c
17. The amount of dissolved salts in water determines the:
a.
temperature.
b.
luminosity.
c.
salinity.
d.
clarity.
e.
turbidity.
15 Chapter 2—Fundamentals of Ecology
18. The movement of water across a membrane in response to a gradient of solute concentration is called:
a.
salinity.
b.
osmosis.
c.
solubility.
d.
diffusion.
e.
pressure.
19. An atmosphere of pressure at sea level,, in psi (pounds per square inch), equals:
a.
15.
b.
14.7.
c.
15.7
d.
16.5.
e.
16.7
20. The pressure of the oceans increases by one atmosphere for every ____ meter increase in depth.
a.
5
b.
10
c.
15
d.
20
e.
25
21. At what depth would water pressure be 4 times greater than atmospheric pressure at the surface?
a.
10 meters
b.
20 meters
c.
30 meters
d.
40 meters
e.
50 meters
22. In the carbon cycle, animals play a fundamental role by:
a.
decreasing the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide.
b.
increasing the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide as a result of respiration.
c.
increasing the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide as a result of photosynthesis.
d.
decreasing the amount of plant biomass.
e.
decreasing it as a result of photosynthesis.
23. An important inorganic nutrient needed by marine photosynthetic organisms is:
a.
glucose.
b.
amino acids.
c.
lipids.
d.
nitrates.
e.
carbohydrates.
16 Chapter 2—Fundamentals of Ecology
24. Oxygen during the early development of the atmosphere was:
a.
common.
b.
rare.
c.
important for photosynthesis.
d.
about the same as now.
e.
created from the cooling of hot lava.
25. Those organisms that thrive in an environment free of oxygen are called
a.
phytoplankton.
b.
zooplankton.
c.
nekton.
d.
anaerobes.
e.
aerobic.
26. Anaerobic organisms thrive:
a.
in oxygen-free environments.
b.
where oxygen is abundant.
c.
where carbon dioxide is abundant.
d.
in surface waters of the ocean.
e.
in the middle of the water column.
27. Metabolic wastes are:
a.
the byproduct of metabolism.
b.
unused nutrients during metabolism.
c.
re-used by the organism.
d.
unimportant to community metabolism.
28. Waste products of metabolism tend to accumulate in:
a.
open ocean areas.
b.
coastal waters.
c.
small enclosed bodies of water.
d.
fast circulating water.
e.
major ocean currents.
29. When two different species require the same resources we may observe
a.
intraspecific competition.
b.
resource partitioning.
c.
interspecific competition.
d.
predation.
e.
symbiosis/parasitism.
30. ____ is when one organism successfully outcompetes another organism and excludes it from a
particular area or niche.
a.
Predation
b.
Resource partitioning
c.
Parasitism
d.
Competitive exclusion
e.
Commensalism
31. The niche of the species is best described as:
a.
the biological relationships of the species in the ecosystem.
b.
the behavior of a species in the ecosystem.
c.
the sum of the abiotic factors required or tolerated by the species.
d.
the occupation (needs and role) of the species in the ecosystem.
e.
the location where the species resides.
32. The process of subdividing a niche into smaller niches is called:
a.
resource partitioning.
b.
interspecific competition.
c.
commensalism.
d.
mutualism.
e.
symbiosis.
33. Members of the same species living in the same area and interacting are:
a.
a community.
b.
a population.
c.
an ecosystem.
d.
a biosphere.
e.
a biome.
34. Predators that prevent the population of their prey from exploding and thus outcompeting their prey
are called:
a.
regulators.
b.
herbivores.
c.
keystone species.
d.
omnivores.
e.
decomposers.
35. A species whose effect on biological diversity is disproportionate to their own abundance is termed:
a.
predator.
b.
keystone.
c.
carnivore.
d.
producer.
e.
herbivore.
36. The symbiotic relationship in which the symbiont benefits from the relationship but the host is neither
harmed nor benefited is called:
a.
mutualism.
b.
parasitism.
c.
commensalism.
d.
competition.
e.
niche interactivity.
37. An example of mutualism is:
a.
remora fish attached to or following a shark.
b.
cleaner shrimp removing parasites from a fish.
c.
tapeworm living in the digestive system of a fish.
d.
hagfish feeding off a whale killed by an Orca.
e.
interactions between the barnacle species Semibalanus and Chthamalus
38. The following are main points of the example of the Amphipod and Sea Butterfly except:
a.
Fish are confused by the amphipods.
b.
A new form of symbiosis was observed.
c.
A “kidnapping” behavior was observed.
d.
An example of chemical defense was seen
e.
The scientific method was utilized.
39. Communities of organisms are made up of:
a.
populations of different species.
b.
different habitats.
c.
two or more populations of the same species.
d.
ecosystems.
e.
interacting niches.
40. Neuston is a term relating to small organisms of the:
a.
intertidal zone.
b.
benthic zone.
c.
ocean surface.
d.
abyssal zone.
e.
aphotic zone.
41. The pelagic division of the ocean consists of the:
a.
ocean bottom.
b.
lit area of the ocean.
c.
dark area of the ocean.
d.
water column.
e.
intertidal zone.
42. Estuaries are an example of:
a.
niches.
b.
populations.
c.
ecosystems.
d.
the abyssal zone.
e.
pelagic systems.
43. The primary source of energy for primary production is:
a.
high temperatures.
b.
sunlight.
c.
hydrogen bonds.
d.
glucose.
e.
carbohydrates.
44. Chemosynthetic organisms use the energy from ____ to produce organic molecules.
a.
the sun
b.
chemical reactions
c.
the water
d.
other organisms.
e.
glucose
45. The proper order of predator-prey relationships is
a.
herbivore-producer-carnivore.
b.
carnivore-producer-herbivore.
c.
herbivore-carnivore-producer.
d.
producer-herbivore-carnivore.
e.
carnivore-herbivore-producer.
46. ____ are good examples of consumers.
a.
Omnivores
b.
Detritivores
c.
Herbivores
d.
Carnivores.
e.
All of the above.
47. With each change in trophic level we can expect a ____% transfer of biomass.
a.
5
b.
10
c.
25
d.
50
e.
20
48. How much biomass of krill (in kg) is needed to produce 1,000 kg of whale?
a.
100
b.
2,000
c.
10,000
d.
50,000
e.
100,000
49. On average, only about ____ percent of the energy available at one trophic level is passed on to the
next trophic level.
a.
1
b.
5
c.
10
d.
90
e.
50
50. When nutrients are limited, they do all the following except:
a.
reduce metabolism.
b.
decrease growth rates.
c.
affect growth form.
d.
immobilize an organism.
e.
cause algal blooms.
51. Important nutrients for photosynthesis include:
a.
nitrogen and phosphate.
b.
phosphate and oxygen.
c.
nitrogen and oxygen.
d.
calcium and oxygen.
e.
glucose and oxygen.
52. Nutrients are reintroduced into the upper reaches of the oceans from deeper areas by the process of:
a.
wind and ocean currents.
b.
respiration of marine animals.
c.
excretion of wastes by animals.
d.
sinking of dead organisms.
e.
their attachment to floating plankton.
53. The process of increasing nutrient levels in coastal water is termed:
a.
photosynthesis.
b.
community metabolism.
c.
eutrophication.
d.
putrification.
e.
oligotropism.
21 Chapter 2—Fundamentals of Ecology
54. Eutrophication can lead to
a.
an algal bloom.
b.
fish congregations.
c.
decreased water clarity.
d.
slow plant growth rates.
e.
a and c only.
55. You are a resource manager of a large eutrophic lake. After stopping the source of nutrients from
entering the lake, what further steps could you do to improve the water quality?
a.
introduce phytoplankton-consuming fish.
b.
introduce freshwater sponges into the lake.
c.
introduce aquatic plants into the habitat.
d.
introduce carnivorous fish into the lake.
TRUE/FALSE
56. An organism’s niche can be described in terms of abiotic and biotic factors.
57. Homeostasis is the maintenance by organisms of a balanced state of internal conditions.
58. The only important role of sunlight in the marine environment is to provide energy for photosynthesis.
59. Desiccation is the process of drying out due to the effects of sunlight and wind.
60. Solutes are the liquid in which solid substances are dissolved.
61. Gases such as oxygen dissolve more readily in cool water than in warm water.
62. The two main sources of oxygen in the sea are photosynthesis and transfer from the atmosphere.
63. The relationship between a predator and its prey is within the realm of interspecific competition.
22 Chapter 2—Fundamentals of Ecology
64. Interspecific competition is competition occurring between individuals of the same species.
65. The relationship between the clownfish and the sea anemone it is associated with is an example of
mutualism.
66. Infaunal organisms live in the water column.
67. The abyssal zone is one of the zones of the pelagic division.
68. Producers can be photosynthetic or chemosynthetic.
69. Heterotrophic organisms cannot make their own food.
70. The hydrological cycle involves the biogeochemical cycling of water on the planet.
71. Decomposers play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen.
MATCHING
Match the word with the word it is most closely associated with.
a.
herbivore
b.
carnivore
c.
producer
72. predator
73. plant
74. first-order consumer
Match each term to a similar term.
a.
herbivore
b.
carnivore
c.
autotroph
75. producer
76. first-order consumer
77. second-order consumer
Match the direction of net movement of water to the type of extracellular solution.
a.
into cells
b.
out of cells
c.
no net movement
78. isotonic solution
79. hypotonic solution
80. hypertonic solution
Match the type of organism to a role.
a.
primary producer
b.
first-order consumer
c.
DOM producer
d.
detritivores
81. bacteria
82. phytoplankton
83. herbivorous zooplankton
84. worms
Match the types of competition with a brief description.
a.
Among members of a single species
b.
Between members of different species
c.
Local extirpation of a species
85. Interspecific Competition
86. Intraspecific Competition
87. Competitive Exclusion
Match the type of population growth characteristic with the term.
a.
Logistic
b.
Exponential growth
88. Algal bloom
89. Carrying Capacity
Link the words.
a.
Limiting nutrient
b.
Water movement
c.
Twilight zone
d.
Solute concentration
90. Osmosis
91. No photosynthesis
92. Nitrogen
93. Salinity
Link areas of the Ocean with the associated terms.
a.
Open Ocean
b.
Near Shore
c.
Primary Production
d.
Benthic area exposed during low tide
94. Photic Zone
95. Neritic Zone
96. Oceanic Zone
97. Intertidal Zone
Match the chemical with the cycle.
a.
Hydrologic
b.
Carbon
c.
Nitrogen
98. CO2
99. NH3
100. H2O
Match each phrase with its correct term.
a.
Populations of species in a area
b.
Mussels on a rocky shore
c.
Sum of biotic processes interacting in a large area with similar abiotic factors
101. Community
102. Population
103. Ecosystem
ESSAY
104. The movement of water is critical to life. Discuss how the movements of water (both horizontal and
vertical) affects climate and coastal productivity.
105. Describe the major biotic and abiotic components of marine ecosystems and how they affect energy
and trophic dynamics.
106. Using the definition of habitat and microhabitat, describe a marine habitat that you are familiar with
and describe a microhabitat within that larger habitat.
107. Think of a marine organism that you are familiar with and describe all aspects of its niche, including
both biotic and abiotic characteristics of the niche.
108. Describe two roles that sunlight plays in the marine environment.
109. Why do endotherms need to be well insulated from the external environment?
110. Describe the difference in temperature range between small bodies of water and open ocean areas.
What adaptations do you expect to see in the animals living in either body of water?
111. Osmoconforming animals, such as the spider crab, that live in the open ocean show little ability to
withstand large variations in salinity, while coastal animals, such as the closely related fiddler crab,
show great ability to withstand large salinity changes. Explain why this is the case, considering the
relevant abiotic features of both habitats.
112. Barnacles and mussels compete with each other for space on the rocky intertidal. What type of
interaction exists between these two species? If you knew that mussels are capable of occupying all
available space in the rocky intertidal then what would happen to the barnacles? What keeps mussels
from crowding out barnacles throughout the entire intertidal zone?
113. What is the difference between the rocky intertidal community and the rocky intertidal ecosystem?
114. Explain why the number of trophic levels in a given ecosystem is limited.