Ecology Basics - Summary and Practice Questions
Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their
environment.
Key Concepts:
- Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their physical environment.
- Biosphere: The global sum of all ecosystems.
- Producers: Organisms that produce their own food (plants).
- Consumers: Organisms that consume other organisms (animals).
- Decomposers: Break down dead material (bacteria, fungi).
Food Chains:
- Example: grass -> rabbit -> fox -> bacteria
- Energy is transferred from one level to the next with losses (around 90%).
Environmental Factors:
- Abiotic: Non-living (light, temperature, water)
- Biotic: Living (influence of other organisms)
- Anthropogenic: Human impact
Environmental Protection:
- Reducing air and water pollution
- Preserving biodiversity
- Promoting sustainable agriculture and industry
Practice Questions:
1. What are producers?
A) Animals
B) Plants
C) Fungi
D) Humans
2. Which of the following is an abiotic factor?
A) Wolf
B) Temperature
C) Oak tree
D) Mold
3. What happens to energy in a food chain?
A) Fully preserved
B) Partially lost
C) Increased
D) Remains the same