Bio 20 IB

UNIT #1: ECOLOGY- review questions

1. What is an ecosystem and why would we study energy flow in relation to the ecosystem?

2. Place the following terms in correct order, from smallest to most inclusive levels of biological organization:
ecosystem, population, organism, community, cell, biome, organ, tissue, biosphere, system.

3. Label the diagram below, using fig 54.1 as a guide. You will notice that there is a major energy contributing
element missing in this diagram (as it only shows feeding relationships), consumers are classified as herbivores,
carnivores or omnivores. Also complete the missing trophic level diagram (the level at which you feed) on the
right side.

Trophic level:

1st trophic level

4. Why are detrivores essential to an ecosystem?

5. What is needed to maintain a self-sustaining ecosystem?

6. Which ecosystems have the highest productivity per unit area? What factors do you think contribute to such high
productivity?

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7. Draw a cross-section of the layers in a lake or pond. Be sure to include the following terms in the proper place:
photic zone, aphotic zone, littoral zone, thermocline, benthic zone, limnetic zone.

8. What is eutrophication, and is it considered a “positive” for the

lake environment?

9. Given your knowledge of what the difference is between eutrophic and oligotrophic lakes, explain what a
mesotrophic lake would be like.

10. Why is the energy transfer between trophic levels limited? (ex. laws
of thermodynamics)

11. The “law of 10%” states that typically only 10% of an organism’s
energy passes to the next trophic level. Using fig. 54.14 as a guide,
what would be a potential answer to a world wide food shortage due
to overpopulation?

12. What process is oxygen required for to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, why?

13. What are the three storage areas for inorganic carbon? What are these commonly referred to as?

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14. Describe how increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide could affect the Earth.

15. Name 2 natural (not man made) processes that release carbon into the atmosphere?

16. What is the difference between nitrification, denitrification, ammonification and nitrogen fixation?

17. What major storage area do we not find phosphorous?

18. Explain why the soil in tropical forests contains lower levels of nutrients than soil in temperate forests.

19. Describe how deforestation can affect nutrient cycling within an ecosystem

20. Imagine you are at the dinner table and are asked to explain what acid rain is and why it is a problem. Write your
response here.

21. What is biological magnification and how does it relate to the health warnings
given to pregnant women about the consumption of certain fish?