Ecosystems Review Answers

KEY Ecosystems Review Name - _________KEY______ Parts of an ecosystem: 1. What is the difference between an ecosystem and a habitat? A habitat is the local area that an organism survives in where as an ecosystem contains all the living and non-living components in an area. 2. List three main abiotic components of ecosystems. Temperature, precipitation and soil conditions are the three main non-living components. 3. What is the difference between a population and a community? A population is all the organisms of one species living in an area and a community is simply all of the different organisms living in an area. 4. Define the term symbiosis. A close relationship between two organisms where at least one species receives benefit from the relationship. 5. What is commensalism? A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other receives no harm or benefit. 6. How does mutualism differ from parasitism? Mutualism differs from parasitism in that mutualism both parties receive a benefit and in parasitism one organism IS harmed. 7. What is predation? Predation is the act of stalking and killing prey. Symbiotic relationships commensalism mutualism parasitism competition predation Use the above terms to identify the following descriptions. Identify the term and explain the relationship. 8. An ant lives in the thorns of the bullhorn acacia bush. The ant sips the nectar of the acacia's leaflets and protect the plant by fighting off other insects. Term: mutualism Explanation: Both the ant and the acacia receive benefits from the relationship. 9. Spotted knapweed releases chemicals into the soil. These chemicals prevent the growth of other plants and allow the plant to spread quickly. Term: competition Explanation: The knapweed is out competing its rivals for nutrients by repelling them with its chemicals. 1 SCIENCE 10 10. Lynx hunt snowshoe hares. When the lynx population increases the snowshoe hare population decreases. Term: Predation Explanation: The lynx is preying on the hare for food through stalking and killing. 11. Spanish moss lives on trees in rainforests and has no roots. The feathery structure of the Spanish moss captures nutrients and moisture from the air. Term: Commensalism Explanation: The moss is receiving benefit while the tree appears to be unhurt and not receive benefit. 12. The mountain pine beetle is killing British Columbia's lodgepole and white pine forests. Term: Parasitism Explanation: The pine trees are being hurt while the pine beetle is receiving benefit. 2