Environmental science chapter 4
practice quiz Questions & Answers
Explain how tolerance limits to environmental factors determine distribution of a highly
specialized species such as the saguaro cactus. - ANSWERSTolerance limits are the
minimum and maximum levels of a specific environmental factor that an organism can
tolerate. The saguaro cactus has very specific and limited tolerance limits, which means
that it can't really survive in many environments that don't fit its limits.
Productivity, diversity, complexity, resilience, and structure are exhibited to some extent
by all communities and ecosystems. Describe how these characteristics apply to the
ecosystem in which you live. - ANSWERSProductivity--not that much, I live in a dry area
Diversity--medium
Complexity--don't know
Resilience--strong, because of wildfires
Define selective pressure and describe one example that has affected species where
you live. - ANSWERS?
Define keystone species and explain their importance in community structure and
function. - ANSWERSKeystone species--species which has a disproportionate amount
of influence on their ecosystem.
They keep the ecosystem stable and running, and their removal would affect all species
of the ecosystem.
The most intense interactions often occur between individuals of the same species.
What concept discussed in this chapter can be use to explain this phenomenon? -
ANSWERSIntraspecific competition--competition amongst members of the same
species.
Explain how predators affect the adaptations of their prey. - ANSWERSPredators
provide selective pressure for their prey to evolve to evade capture better, and in turn
the predator evolves to become a better hunter.
Competition for a limited quantity of resources occurs in all ecosystems. This
competition can be interspecific or intraspecific. Explain some of the ways an organism
might deal with these different types of competition. - ANSWERS1) Changing niches
2) Death of one population
3) Intraspecific; evolution (sympatric speciation)
Describe the process of succession that occurs after a forest fire destroys an existing
biological community. Why may periodic fire be beneficial to a community? -
practice quiz Questions & Answers
Explain how tolerance limits to environmental factors determine distribution of a highly
specialized species such as the saguaro cactus. - ANSWERSTolerance limits are the
minimum and maximum levels of a specific environmental factor that an organism can
tolerate. The saguaro cactus has very specific and limited tolerance limits, which means
that it can't really survive in many environments that don't fit its limits.
Productivity, diversity, complexity, resilience, and structure are exhibited to some extent
by all communities and ecosystems. Describe how these characteristics apply to the
ecosystem in which you live. - ANSWERSProductivity--not that much, I live in a dry area
Diversity--medium
Complexity--don't know
Resilience--strong, because of wildfires
Define selective pressure and describe one example that has affected species where
you live. - ANSWERS?
Define keystone species and explain their importance in community structure and
function. - ANSWERSKeystone species--species which has a disproportionate amount
of influence on their ecosystem.
They keep the ecosystem stable and running, and their removal would affect all species
of the ecosystem.
The most intense interactions often occur between individuals of the same species.
What concept discussed in this chapter can be use to explain this phenomenon? -
ANSWERSIntraspecific competition--competition amongst members of the same
species.
Explain how predators affect the adaptations of their prey. - ANSWERSPredators
provide selective pressure for their prey to evolve to evade capture better, and in turn
the predator evolves to become a better hunter.
Competition for a limited quantity of resources occurs in all ecosystems. This
competition can be interspecific or intraspecific. Explain some of the ways an organism
might deal with these different types of competition. - ANSWERS1) Changing niches
2) Death of one population
3) Intraspecific; evolution (sympatric speciation)
Describe the process of succession that occurs after a forest fire destroys an existing
biological community. Why may periodic fire be beneficial to a community? -
