1. In which level would a lion be found?

on a trophic pyrimid

1. On which level would a herbivore be found?

1.        A herbivore is a plant eater so it would be found on level #3.

on a trophic pyrimid

1. Where would the most and least amount of energy be found?

on a trophic pyrimid

1. On which levels would the most and least amount of biomass be found?

1.        The most amount of biomass would be found on level 4 where the producers are found.  The least amount of biomass would be found on level 1 where the tertiary consumers are found.

on the trophic pyrimid

1. On which levels would consumers be found?

1.        Consumers would be found on levels 1, 2, and 3.

on the trophic pyrimid

1. On which levels would producers be found?

Consider a freshwater lake ecosystem that could be found in Indiana for the following questions.

Consider a freshwater lake ecosystem that could be found in Indiana for the following questions.

1. What role would a bird like a hawk have in this ecosystem?

Consider a freshwater lake ecosystem that could be found in Indiana for the following questions.

1. Which members of this ecosystem would be affected by fertilizer runoff?

Consider a freshwater lake ecosystem that could be found in Indiana for the following questions.

Classify minnows and tadpoles in this ecosystem 

Consider a freshwater lake ecosystem that could be found in Indiana for the following questions.

Predict which organisms would produce the least amount of biomass and which organisms would produce the most amount of biomass in this ecosystem 

1.        A fish such as a 24 inch small-mouth bass would represent the least amount of biomass since there are very few of them.  The water plants and algae would represent the greatest amount of biomass in a lake aquatic ecosystem.

1. In any ecosystem, which level of organisms would have the greatest impact if they were removed?

1.        The group of organisms that MIGHT have the greatest impact if they were removed from an ecosystem are decomposers such as bacteria.

1.        The steps of carbon going through the carbon cycle are:

·         Carbon dioxide in the air

·         Plants fix the carbon from the carbon dioxide and produce glucose by photosynthesis.

·         Plants and animals use the glucose in the process of respiration and return carbon to the air in the form of carbon dioxide which is a waste product of respiration.

·         Organisms die and the carbon in their tissues return to the soil.

1.        Plants can get nitrogen from the air by fixation, from the decay of dead organisms, and from nitrifying bacteria found in the soil.  Not to mention, farmers add fertilizer containing nitrogen to fields.

1.        In mutualism, both organisms benefit. (+, +)  In commensalisms, one organism benefits and the other organism is not harmed.  (+, 0)  In parasitism, one organism benefits and the other is harmed.  (+, -)

1. Define succession and tell where the best example of succession can be found in Indiana.

1.        Succession is the gradual change in an ecosystem over time.  The best example of ecological succession in Indiana can be found at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

1.        A biocide is any chemical or substance that can effectively kill anything that lives.  An insecticide is a specific type of biocide that kills insects.  A pesticide is a general type of biocide that can kill any number of living organisms considered to be pests.  A fungicide is a type of biocide that kills fungi.  A herbicide is a specific type of biocide that kills plants.

1. What is climax and what would it be at the Indiana Dunes?

1.        Climax is the final stage of ecological succession and at the Indiana Dunes State Park it would be represented by the beech-maple forest.

1. What is the general mechanism of action for most pesticides?

1.        Most pesticides attack the nervous system of living organisms by inhibiting or disrupting the enzyme, cholinesterase.  Remember that this is the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.  Effectively, this keeps nerve impulses going in the organism.

1. What is biological magnification and how does this relate to the eagle population in the 1960’s in the United States?

1.        As a biocide is passed up the trophic feeding pyramid from level 4 to level 1, its concentration becomes greater in each successive level.  The American Bald Eagle developed such high concentrations of the biocide, DDT, that the female’s egg shells became so thin that they were broken by the female as she nested.  This disrupted the reproductive cycle of the American Bald Eagle.

1. Draw a population growth curve.  Be able to label all its parts and describe what factors are responsible for affecting each part.

1.        The greatest limiting factor of human population growth worldwide is a clean supply of fresh water.

1.        IUD’s, intrauterine devices, are prescribed by a doctor, inserted into the uterus by the doctor for the purpose of altering the shape or lining of the uterus, and may only be removed by a doctor.  There are highly effective in preventing embryo implantation after conception.  Check your notes for the percent effectiveness.

1. Describe how diaphrams are used and effective they are.

1.        Diaphragms are self-inserted or inserted by one’s sexual partner.  They block the passage of sperm and are more effective if used with spermicidal jelly.  Check your notes for the percent effectiveness.

1.        Good – 97% + effective.  Bad – weight gain, high blood pressure, blood clots, etc.  Check your notes for other negative effects.

1. List all the criteria necessary for water to be called potable.

1.        For water to be potable it must be free of odor, taste good, have not hazardous chemicals, have no dangerous microorganisms, and be pleasant to smell.  Check your notes to see if this list is complete.

1. Explain how primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment are carried out in a home septic tank.  If one of these types of treatments is missing, please note that.

1.        In a home septic tank, primary treatment is simply the settling out of solids in the septic tank.  Secondary treatment is the breakdown of organic solids by bacteria in the home septic tank.  There is no tertiary treatment in a home septic tank.

1.        Some causes of sewage backup from a home septic tank include roots in the finger system, too full a septic tank, death of bacteria in the septic tank, or collapse of the finger system due to too much weight or aging.

1. Define the terms primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment.

1.        Primary treatment is settling out of solid wastes.  Secondary treatment is the bacterial breakdown of the organic waste solids.  Tertiary treatment is only found in a municipal waste water treatment plant and includes chlorination, skimming of oils, and ozonation.

1. Which types of organisms in the sewage treatment plants benefit the most from the large paddles?

1. What does a skimmer do in sewage treatment plants and which type of treatment is this?

1.        The skimmer removes grease and oil from the surface of the water in a waste water treatment plant.  This is a form of tertiary treatment.

1. Define eutrophication, tell what causes it, and give some examples of what is seen before, during, and after eutrophication.

1.        Eutrophication is the sped up ecological succession of an aquatic ecosystem like a lake.  It is caused by runoff containing high nitrogen and phosphorous levels.  Before eutrophication, there is a balance of algae, water plants, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.  During eutrophication, the producers over multiply and use up the dissolved oxygen in the water.  After eutrophication occurs, the consumers and producers die off and settle to the bottom, effectively filling in a lake over a much shorter period of time.  Eventually the lake will become a marsh and finally becomes a grassy meadow.

1.        Oxygen, ozone, nitrates, sulfates, and hydrocarbons can be found as components of smog.  CARBON DIOXIDE IS NOT CONSIDERED A COMPONENT OF SMOG!

List the specific agents that can cause acid rain

1.        Nitrates and Sulfates can cause acid rain.

1. Explain what happens to oxygen concentrations in a lake as eutrophication is occurring.

1.        Just remember, burning coal of high sulfur content is the greatest cause of air pollution in Indiana.

1. What is the limiting factor for heterotrophs in a lake over a period of time while eutrophication is occurring?

1.        Oxygen is the greatest limiting factor for heterotrophs in a lake undergoing eutrophication over a period of time.

1.        Treatment with ozone (ozonation) is the final tertiary treatment of treated waste water before it enters the White River.

1. The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,500 years.  After 22,000  years how much of the original carbon-14 from time zero is left?

1.        1/16 of the original carbon-14 will be left after 22, 000 years.

1. Describe the different methods Twin Bridges Sanitary Landfill uses to prevent groundwater contamination.

1.        Twin Bridges prevents ground water contamination by lining the waste cell with a clay soil liner and plastic liner.

1. Define alpha particles, beta particles, x-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays.