Note that not all terms that were presented in class are posted here.  Please refer to your lecture notes for a more complete list.

Terms and concepts: : Ecology, Ecosystem, Prokaryote, eukaryote, ozone, aquatic, terrestrial, theories of evolution, Biotic level (living level), Abiotic level (Nonliving level), Complex interaction of living and non living (light, water, nutrients) Habitat, microhabitat, Biotic zonation primary producers, consumers, decomposers, autotrophic, heterotrophic, phytoplankton, zooplankton, mixotroph, kelp, coral, Primary producer, consumer, predator, prey, parasitic, symbiosis, herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, chlorophyll, autotrophic, heterotrophic, matter, nutrients, minerals, cellular respiration (metabolism), biodiversity, food pyramid, pyramid of biomass, cycles of matter, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, organic matter and inorganic matter, eutrophic, oligotrophic, estuaries, marshes, wetlands, mangrove,

Know what these equations represent-

• Energy+CO2 + H20 => CH2O + O2, and
• CH2O + O2=> CO2 + H2O + energy
• Also the relationship between increase CO2  and pH of a solution.

And from the text:

Chapter 1 terms

Ecology, ecosystem, biotic, abiotic, levels of ecological organization -population, community, biomes, biosphere, individuals, Scientific method and its process, Adaptation, evolution,

Chapter 3 Terms

Hydrologic cycle or water cycle, evaporation, precipitation, condensation, surface runoff, groundwater

Diffusion of oxygen and dissolved oxygen

Polar covalent bond of water, Be able to draw the molecular formula of water, Hydrogen bonding be able to draw these bonds that are found between water, surface tension, solution, solute, solvent, concentration, ions,  pH scale of 0 to 14 pH 0 is Acidic and pH 14 basic/ alkaline, salinity,

Water movements and tides-Upwelling, intertidal zone,littoral zone, benthic and pelagic zones, thermocline, salinity,

Short answer questions for Exam:

• In your own words what is Ecology?  Using specific examples from lecture or lab discussions (on campus and off campus), describe the ecology of an animal or plant.

• Explain why most food chains end after only four trophic levels.

• Explain why energy flows through an ecosystem

• Why is decomposition an important process?  What would happen if decomposition stopped completely?

• What ecosystem traits will tend to buffer them against elevated atmospheric CO2?

• Why do we add fertilizers, especially nitrogen to agricultural land? How does this activity affect adjacent aquatic ecosystems?

• Nutrient upwelling in certain costal ecosystems has produced some of the most productive areas in the world. How might large-scale phenomena such as El Nino or human induced climate changes influence these ecosystems?

• How are differences between aquatic and terrestrial environments reflected in plant structure and function?

• What is a biome?  What determines where a particular biome is found on earth?  Are animals and plants similar?
• Why or how are exotic species brought into areas? 

• Why do exotic species pose a threat to a community?

• Review the distribution of water among the major reservoirs of the hydrologic cycle. What are the major sources of freshwater? Explain why according to some projections availability of freshwater may limit human populations and activity.
• Where does your drinking water supply come from?
• Why are some organisms able to live on the surface of aquatic environments?