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Exam 1
Principles of Ecology Summer Semester 2026
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Comparative approach | Researchers compare naturally varying systems without directly manipulating variables. |
| Manipulative experiment | Researchers directly alter variables to test ecological hypotheses. |
| Key feature of good hypothesis tests | Control variables carefully and compare alternative explanations. |
| Phytoplankton | Microscopic algae in the water column that perform photosynthesis. |
| Two mechanisms by which small fish increase algae | 1. Eat zooplankton that consume algae. 2. Recycle nutrients through waste. |
| Conceptual model | A simplified explanation of how ecological systems work. |
| Statistical model | A mathematical model used to identify relationships among variables. |
| Coriolis effect | Deflection of moving air/water caused by Earth's rotation. |
| Hadley cell | Atmospheric circulation cell with rising air at the equator and descending dry air near 30° latitude. |
| Why deserts form near 30° latitude | Descending dry air from Hadley cells suppresses rainfall. |
| Jet streams | Strong high-altitude westerly winds at boundaries between atmospheric circulation cells. |
| Surface ocena currents | Wind-driven currents moving water along the ocean surface. |
| Deep ocean currents | Density-driven circulation caused by cold salty water sinking. |
| Main factor distinguishing forest from grassland | Water availability / precipitation. |
| Min factor distinguishing tropical vs temperate | Temperature seasonality. |
| Rain shadow effect | Dry conditions form on the leeward side of mountains after air loses moisture on windward side. |
| Soil composition | Organic matter, mineral particles, water, and air. |
| O horizon | Mostly decomposing organic matter. |
| A horizon | Mixture of organic matter and mineral particles. |
| B horizon | Mineral-rich horizon with clay accumulation. |
| Tropical rainforest | Warm, wet biome with very high biodiversity and nutrient-poor soils. |
| Why rainforest soils contain little organic matter | Rapid decomposition and nutrient uptake by plants. |
| Mediterranean woodland/shrubland | Biome with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. |
| Temperate grassland | Biome with fertile soils largely converted to agriculture. |
| Why grasslands resist trees | Fire and grazing suppress tree establishment. |
| Caliche | Calcium carbonate layer common in desert soils. |
| Peat | Accumulated organic matter formed where decomposition is slow, especially in tundra. |
| Tundra | Cold biome with low decomposition rates and peat accumulation. |
| Savanna | Tropical grassland with scattered trees maintained by fire and herbivory. |
| Boreal forest | Cold conifer-dominated biome with nutrient-poor soils. |
| Mycorrhizae | Symbiotic fungi that help plants acquire nutrients. |
| Pelagic zone | Open water region of lakes or oceans. |
| Littoral zone | Shallow nearshore zone with rooted aquatic plants. |
| Benthic zone | Bottom sediments of aquatic habitats. |
| thermocline | Layer where temperature changes rapidly with depth. |
| Photic zone | Upper layer where enough light exists for photosynthesis. |
| Estuary | Habitat where freshwater mixes with seawater. |
| Why estuaries stratify | Freshwater is less dense and floats above saltwater. |
| Kelp forest | Cold-water marine habitat dominated by giant kelp. |
| Coral reef | Warm-water habitat built by corals with symbiotic algae. |
| Zooxanthellae | Photosynthetic algae living symbiotically within corals. |
| Role of kelp | Shade suppresses benthic algae and favors sessile invertebrates. |
| Salt marsh | Temperate coastal wetland dominated by herbaceous vegetation. |
| Mangrove forest | Tropical/subtropical coastal habitat with salt-tolerant trees. |
| Watershed | All land draining to a common point. |
| River continuum concept | Energy sources and organisms change from headwaters to large rivers. |
| Hyporheic zone | Water flowing through sediments beneath streambeds. |
| Riparian zone | Land adjacent to streams that filters runoff and moderates temperature. |
| Lake turnover | Mixing of the entire water column. |
| Eutrophication | Nutrient enrichment leading to excessive algae growth. |
| Why eutrophication kills fish | Algal decomposition depletes dissolved oxygen. |
| Phenotype | Observable anatomical, physiological, and behavioral traits. |
| Genotype | Genetic makeup of an organism. |
| Gene locus | Specific location of a gene on a chromosome. |
| Allele | Different version of a gene. |
| Phenotypic variation | Differences in traits among individuals in a population. |
| Phenotypic plasticity | One genotype producing different phenotypes in different environments. |
| Reciprocal transplant experiment | Experiment testing effects of genes vs environment by growing populations in multiple environments. |
| Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium conditions | Random mating, no mutation, large population, no migration, equal fitness. |
| Evolution | Change in allele frequencies through time. |
| Mutation | Random change in DNA creating new alleles. |
| Natural selection | Differential survival and reproduction based on phenotype. |
| Adaptation | Trait improving survival or reproduction in a particular environment. |
| Directional selection | Selection favoring one extreme phenotype. |
| Disruptive selection | Selection favoring both extremes. |
| Stabilizing selection | Selection favoring intermediate phenotypes. |
| Artificial selection | Humans selectively breed organisms for desired traits. |
| Genetic drift | Random changes in allele frequencies, strongest in small populations. |
| Population bottleneck | Sharp random reduction in population size causing loss of diversity. |
| Founder effect | New population started by a few individuals with limited diversity. |
| Gene flow | Movement of alleles among populations through migration. |
| Microclimate | Local environmental conditions organisms actually experience. |
| Macroclimate | Regional climate patterns over large areas. |
| Factors influencing microclimate | Altitude, aspect, vegetation, albedo, and habitat buffering. |
| Why water temperatures are stable | Water has high specific heat. |
| Riparian vegetation effect | Shade cools stream water. |
| Temperature-performance curve | Biological performance peaks over a narrow temperature range. |
| Urban heat island | Cities become warmer due to heat-retaining surfaces and reduced vegetation. |
| Enzymes | Proteins that speed up cellular chemical reactions. |
| Effect of temperature on enzymes | Enzymes function best within a limited temperature range. |
Created by:
KristenR2025