AICE Marine CH3

How does the amount of primary production in a habitat affect:

a. The number of individual animals

b. The amount of biodiversity

c. The type of niches (narrow vs broad)

a. Higher primary production provides more energy, supporting larger animal populations.

b. Greater primary production supports higher biodiversity because more species can be sustained.

c. High productivity allows narrow, specialized niches, while low productivity favors broad niches.

Of the food energy that is consumed by an animal, approximately how much is available to the next trophic level? Why is this percentage so small?

About 10% is transferred because most energy is lost as heat, respiration, feces, and waste.

Is the net primary production of one trophic level the gross primary production for the next level?

No, net primary production is the energy available to the next level after respiration losses.

Describe the primary productivity in a hydrothermic vent habitat?

Primary productivity is driven by chemosynthetic bacteria using chemical energy instead of sunlight.

Why is only a portion of the sun’s energy captured for photosynthesis?

Much sunlight is reflected, passes through producers, or is lost due to inefficiency.

Suggest how upwelling may affect the amount of photosynthesis occurring in the photic zone?

Upwelling increases nutrients in surface waters, increasing photosynthesis.

Describe the R, F, U values in the equation discussed in class?

R is respiration energy, F is energy lost as feces, and U is energy lost as urine and metabolic waste.

Why are big fierce predators rare in the wild?

Limited energy transfer up the food chain cannot support large populations of top predators.

Within a habitat, how are biotic and abiotic characteristics different?

Biotic factors are living components, while abiotic factors are nonliving environmental conditions.

Predator and prey populations will affect each other over time. Why?

Changes in prey numbers affect predator populations, which then influence prey numbers, causing cycles.

Hydrothermic vents have reduced biodiversity because…

Extreme conditions limit survival to a small number of specialized species.

The sandy slopes around a reef are not harsh environments but do not have high biodiversity, why?

They lack structure, shelter, and stable resources needed to support many species.

How does niche formation affect the adaptability of a species to survive environmental change?

Species with broad niches adapt more easily than species with narrow niches.

What is the original source of energy for a food web living in the upper waters of the ocean?

Sunlight.

What is the general ecological name for organisms that feed on herbivores?

Secondary consumers.

What are the reactants for photosynthesis?

Carbon dioxide and water.

How does photosynthesis differ from chemosynthesis? How are they alike?

Photosynthesis uses light energy, chemosynthesis uses chemical energy, and both produce organic molecules by fixing carbon.

Define these terms:

a. population

b. community

c. parasitism

d. mutualism

e. commensalism

a. Members of the same species living in a defined area.
b. All populations living together in an ecosystem.
c. One species benefits while the host is harmed (e.g., tapeworm).
d. Both species benefit (e.g., coral and algae).
e. One species benefits and the other is unaffected (e.g., remora and shark).

Why do plants and algae perform respiration?

To release energy from glucose for life processes.

What factors affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Light, temperature, carbon dioxide, and nutrient availability.

Why would the reactions for photosynthesis and respiration be considered opposites?

Photosynthesis stores energy while respiration releases energy.

Why is only a small fraction of sunlight reaching phytoplankton used to make glucose?

Light is reflected, absorbed inefficiently, or not the correct wavelength.

What is ATP and ADP?

ATP is the energy-carrying molecule, and ADP is the lower-energy form after energy is released.

How may a pyramid of numbers differ from a pyramid of biomass?

A pyramid of numbers can be inverted, while a biomass pyramid shows total living material.

Why would an endothermic animal require more energy than an ectothermic animal?

Maintaining a constant body temperature requires more metabolic energy.