Biology
Ecology Study Guide
CA Biology Content Standards Addressed:
6A
6B
6C
6D
6E
6F
3-1
Students know that biodiversity is the sum total of different kinds of organisms affected by alterations of
habitats.
Students know how to analyze changes in an ecosystem resulting from changes in climate, human activity,
introduction of nonnative species, or changes in population size.
Students know how fluctuations in population size in an ecosystem are determined by relat Students know
how to analyze changes in an ecosystem resulting from changes in climate, human activity, introduction
of nonnative species, or changes in population size. ive rates of birth, immigration, emigration, and death.
students know how water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle between the abiotic resources and organic matter in
the ecosystem and how oxygen cycles through photosynthesis and respiration.
Students know a vital part of an ecosystem is the stability of its producers and decomposers.
Students know at each link in a food web some energy is stored in newly made structures but much energy
is dissipated into the environment as heat. This dissipation may be represented in an energy pyramid.
What is Ecology
Ecology
Levels of Organization Within Ecosystems:
Biosphere
Biome
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Species
Individual
Biotic vs Abiotic factors within an ecosystem
Examples of abiotic factors within ecosystems
3-2
Energy Flow
Producers (Autotrophs)?
Plants and Algae- photosynthesis
Decomposers
Bacteria and Fungi
Consumers (heterotrophs)?
1st order consumer, 2nd order consumer, and 3rd order consumer ect…
-Herbivore
Omnivore
-Carnivore
Detritivore
Which two categories of organisms (producers, consumers, or decomposers) are considered most vital to an ecosystem and
why?
Which type of organism (producer, consumer, or decomposer) would be considered least vital or important?
What do food chain and food web diagrams show?
What does the term trophic level refer to in terms of food chains and food webs?
Is energy flow directional in an ecosystem or is energy cycled within ecosystems
What happens to most of the energy as it travels through an ecosystem?
Approximately how much energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next (-Energy Pyramid, page 72)
Where does the rest of the energy go?
3-3
Cycles of Matter
How is matter different from energy in ecosystems?
What four common elements/substances are cycled in nature (biogeochemical cycles)
Water Cycle
Evaporation and Transpiration
Precipitation
Condensation
Water Runoff
Root Uptake
Carbon Cycle
In Atmosphere
Respiration (Cellular)
Photosynthesis
Burning of Fossil Fuels
Food Chain
3 D’s
Nitrogen Cycle
In Atmosphere
Nitrogen Fixation
Root Uptake
Food Chain
3D’s
Denitrification
Phosphorus
In Soil/Water
Root Uptake
Food Chain
3 D’s
4-1 & 4-2 The Role of Climate on a Community & What Shapes an Ecosystem
What does the term weather refer to?
What does the term climate refer to?
What is the most important abiotic factor for an ecosystem? Why?
What is the greenhouse effect? Describe or diagram how this phenomena.
How does Latitude create 3 main climate zones on Earth?
What does the term niche refer to?
What is competition?
What is predation?
What is symbiosis?
Describe the difference between the 3 types of symbiotic relationships (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism)
What is ecological sucession?
What is the difference between primary succession and secondary succession?
What is a pioneer community?
Why is succession said to be “predictable”?
What is a climax community?
5-1 & 5-2 How Populations Grow & Limits to Population Growth
Immigration
Birth Rate
Emigration
Death Rate
Which two factors would increase the size of a population?
Which two factors would decrease the size of a population?
How is exponential growth differ from logistic growth. Which is seen when there is unlimited resources and which is more
commonly seen in nature?
What is the carrying capacity for a population?
What are some limiting factors?
Chapter 6
Humans in the Biosphere
What is biodiversity?
What value does Biodiversity have to humans?
Describe how the following have effected species and or entire ecosystems:
-Habitat Destruction/Alteration
Urban Development
Agricultural Development
-Habitat Fragmentation
-Overhunting/Overfishing/Poaching
-Introduction of INVASIVE or NONNATIVE SPECIES
-Pollution
Air
Acid Rain
Toxic Waste and BIOMAGNIFICATION
-Ozone Depletion
-Global Warming
Conservation-What is it?
Where are efforts focused?
What are some challenges?
Industrial Development