Ecology

[dickyjones]

I've gone to invites; it was actually pretty well rounded and decently written (w/ a couple of badly worded questions, but other than that good). It was an initial 20 minutes for 50 multiple choice questions. And then another 30 minutes for a 30 questions short answer test where we were given printed powerpoint slides that went with the questions. Multiple choice was easy for me, I only didn't know the difference between detrivore and detritus feeder...I actually still don't. Just questions about basic community interactions, biomes, nutrient cycling, and doubling time. Short answer questions were... identifying adaptations of different animals/plants, talking about soil properties, nutrient pools, identifying interactions, graphing population growth (reasons for exponential), benefits of different energy sources, and one wierd question about explaining population growth using a bucket constantly being filled with water with a hole in it. I got 1st out of 14, but I haven't seen my score yet.

[keamo]

Gracias

[Stahl]

[crazy77]

oh mine was completly different like, they just gave us a 50 question multiple choice test with five fill in the blanks and one short answer with three parts it only took about half the time that they gave us 2 do it

[Flavorflav]

I only didn't know the difference between detrivore and detritus feeder...I actually still don't.

I would have said they were the same thing, but I searched and found this:

Decomposer
A type of detritivore. Decomposers play an important role in recycling organic matter back into inorganic nutrients in ecosystems. This recycling is done by decomposing complex organic matter and then coverting the less complex organic products into inorganic compounds and atoms. Much of the recycled inorganic nutrients are then consumed by producers. Bacteria and fungi are the most common decomposers found in most ecosystems. Also see detritus feeders.

[...]

Detritus Feeder
A type of detritivore. Detritus feeders acquire the nutrients they need from partially decomposed organic matter found in shed animal tissues, plant litter, dead bodies of plants and animals, and animal waste products. Some examples of detritus feeders include various species of beetles, various species of ants, earthworms, and termites. Also see decomposer.

[...]

Detritivore
Heterotrophic organism that feeds on detritus. Examples of such organisms include earthworms, termites, slugs, snails, bacteria, and fungi. Two types of detritivores are generally recognized: decomposers and detritus feeders.

http://www.physicalgeography.net/physgeoglos/d.html

My guess is that the difference depends on whether they ingest the food or simply absorb nutrients from it.

[L42]

It looks to me like it's squares and rectangles...

[sciolykid101]

It looks to me like it's squares and rectangles...

Same here.

[jazzy009]

Random personal opinion: i agree with the original posts...this event has done great and terrible things to me. no matter how i place, i still think its my favorite event... i dont know why.

and second, i need advice: the soinc website has a link to a college bio class lecture notes. if you know what im talking about, your thoughts on their effectiveness would be appreciated

[rocketman1555]

they look pretty good, i haven't read through all of them, but they seem to be a good overview

[Jazzy09]

not knowing the grasslands killed me and jazzy009 on our ecology test