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Szl 103: Fundamentals Of Ecology Question Paper

Szl 103: Fundamentals Of Ecology

Course:Bachelor Of Science In Biology

Institution: University Of Nairobi question papers

Exam Year:2012

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS

FIRST YEAR EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BIOLOGY)

SZL 103: FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY

February 3, 2012 TIME 9 A.M.- 11.00 A.M.

INSTRUCTIONS

ANSWER ANY TEN QUESTIONS. EACH IS 7 MARKS

1. a) Briefly describe the characteristics of floodland wetland.

b) List the adaptations of organisms living on top of rocks in a rapidly flowing
stream.

2. Explain the meaning of the following terms used in the study of natural ecosystems.

a) Ecosystem structure
b) Ecosystem products
c) Ecosystem services

3. Discuss the biotic component of ecosystem structure.

4. Compare and contrast the logistic and exponential theories of population growth

5. a) List the types of inorganic phosphate present in aquatic ecosystems.

b) Outline the pathway of the element carbon on entering a community.

6. Describe the following sampling methods and explain how they can be used in vegetation
studies.

a) Systematic random sampling
b) Stratified random sampling
c) Multiple stage sampling

7. With the aid of a flow chart, illustrate energy flow and carbon cycling in an natural
ecosystem.

8. Define the term "Competition Exclusion Principle" and explain its implication in
regulating population growth.

9. Illustrate diagrammatically the nitrogen cycle.

10. Name four measures of data scatter and show how they can be calculated.

11. By relating structure to function, explain the adaptations of the upper and the lower
epidermis of a leaf for energy capture.

12. Define the following ecological terms:

a) Biotic potential
b) Species diversity
c) Opportunistic species
d) Niche hypervolume

13. Briefly describe the physical processes involved in matter and nutrient transport.

14. a) Distinguish between realized niche and fundamental niche.
b) Give three distinguishing characteristics of r-selected and k-selected organisms.

15. Discuss the fate of the solar radiation that reaches the earth.

Szl 103: Fundamentals Of Ecology Question Paper

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