Name _______________________________________ Date ______________ Period

__________

Ecology 

1. Define the term ecology : the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms
to one another and to their physical surroundings.

1. List one major factor that slows down  population growth and give examples of that
factor: abiotic and biotic and density- dependent, density-independent

1. Population growth is regulated by other limiting factors such as:  density- dependent,
density-independent, abiotic or biotic, draw a t-chart to differentiate between all four factors
and give examples of each: 
1. The exponential growth model and the logistic growth model are both population
growth models, draw the two graphs and write a basic statement to differentiate between each:

The logistic growth model includes the influence of limiting factors on population growth. A
graph of logistic population growth has a characteristic S-shape.
 The exponential growth model
describes a population that grows at a constantly increasing rate. A
graph of exponential growth has a characteristic J-shape.

1. Define the term carrying capacity and explain how this affects a population:  a species
average population size in a particular habitat.

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals that the environment can support over
a long period of time without harming the environment.

Main Idea:  Ecologists study environments at different levels of organization.

Write a description of each level of organization in the table.  Also, provide an example for each
level.

Level Description Example

1. Organism an a dog,
individual person or
animal, bacteria
plant, or
single-celle
d life form.

2. Population group of the

organisms, number
all of the of people
same or
species, animals
which in a
interbreed particula
and live in r place.
the
same area at
the same
time

3. Community group of Voluntee

populations r
that live in communi
the same ty. A
area at the group of
same time people
o A change who
in one work
population together
can cause a for the
change in greater
another good
population

4. Ecosystem a biological agroecos

community ystem,
and the aquatic
nonliving ecosyste
things in the m, coral
community’ reef,
s desert,
environmen forest,
t human
ecosyste
 m,
littoral
zone,
5. Biosphere portion of Tundras.
the Earth Prairies.
that Deserts.
supports
living
things

Fill in the diagram below with the Levels of Organization studied in Ecology, from the simplest
to the most complex.

Organism,Population,Community,Ecosystem,Biosphere

Main Idea:  An ecosystem includes both abiotic and biotic factors.  Producers provide
energy for other organisms in an ecosystem.
Complete the following sentences with the correct term from the list below

6. All ecosystems are made up of biotic and abiotic components.

7. Biotic factors are living things, such as plants or animals.

8. abiotics are nonliving things, such as wind, temperature, or mass.

9. plants are organisms that get their energy from sunlght resources, 

meaning they make their own food.  These organisms are also called producers.

10. Heterotrophs are organisms that get their energy by eating other 

consumers.  These organisms are also called consumers.

11. Why are producers so important to an ecosystem?

producers/plant They are the base of the food chain!

12. Define the term trophic levels, list at least four trophic levels and give an example of each:
tertiary consumers,secondary consumers,primary consumers.producers

13. What does the arrows in a food chain or food web represent?
the food web

KEY CONCEPT: Food chains and food webs model the flow of energy in an ecosystem.
Choose the correct term from the box below to fit each description.

12.  I eat only plants.  I am a(n)  herbivore.

13.  I eat only other animals.  I am a(n)  carnivore.

14.  I eat both plants and animals.  I am a(n) omnivore.

15.  I eat dead organic matter.  I am a(n) detritivore.

16.  I break down organic matter into simpler compounds. I am a(n)  decomposer. 

17.  I am the first consumer above the producer level. I am a(n) primary consumer.

18.  I am a carnivore that eats herbivores. I am a(n) secondary consumer . . 

19.  I am a carnivore that eats other carnivores. I am a(n) tertiary consumer . .

20.  The levels of nourishment in a food chain are called trophic levels.

21. How is a food web different from a food chain?

A foodweb is a set of interconnected food chains. It includes multiple feeding options

22. Label the four tiers of the energy pyramid with the correct trophic level (producers, primary
consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers).  Choose an ecosystem.  Research
what types of plants and animals live in your chosen ecosystem.  Fill in the energy pyramid with
what might exist with that ecosystem.
23. From the organisms listed construct two food chains and one food web. Maze, locust, lizard,
snake, carrots, rabbit, fox, lion, grass, grasshopper, frog, python, eagle, tiger, hawk, deer, 
 Ensure each trophic level in the food chain and the food web is labelled: