Biology Ecology & Evolutionary Processes Flashcards
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Which ecological term describes the role and position of a species in its environment, including its diet, habitat, and interactions?
Answer: Ecological niche
An ecological niche encompasses all the biotic and abiotic conditions a species needs to survive and reproduce, as well as its functional role in the ecosystem.
The bottleneck effect is an example of genetic drift that occurs when:
Answer: A large population is drastically reduced by a catastrophic event
The bottleneck effect occurs when a population is sharply reduced by a catastrophe, leaving a small survivor group whose allele frequencies may differ greatly from the original population.
In lake ecosystems, the euphotic zone is defined as the area where:
Answer: Photosynthesis can occur due to sufficient light penetration
The euphotic (photic) zone is the sunlit upper layer of a body of water where light is sufficient for photosynthesis to exceed respiration.
Sexual selection that gives one sex an advantage in competing for mates of the other sex is called:
Answer: Intrasexual selection
Intrasexual selection involves direct competition between members of the same sex (usually males) for access to mates, often producing weapons like antlers or horns.
Which type of interspecific interaction harms both species involved?
Answer: Competition
Interspecific competition negatively affects both species because they consume the same limited resources, reducing the fitness of each compared to living without the other.
Which evidence most directly supports the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Answer: The fossil record showing species change over time
The fossil record provides a chronological history of life on Earth, showing gradual change in species over time and the appearance and extinction of lineages consistent with natural selection.
The process of eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems refers to:
Answer: Excessive algae growth due to nutrient enrichment, leading to oxygen depletion
Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) fuel algal blooms; when the algae die and decompose, oxygen is depleted, creating dead zones.