AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Ecological Tolerance
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
Is it true that an individual organism and its entire species must have the exact same range of ecological tolerance?
The provided text does not specify, but it states that ecological tolerance can apply to both individuals and species, implying potential differences.
Card 1 of 10
All Flashcards (10)
Is it true that an individual organism and its entire species must have the exact same range of ecological tolerance?
The provided text does not specify, but it states that ecological tolerance can apply to both individuals and species, implying potential differences.
Besides temperature and salinity, name two other environmental conditions that can define an organism's ecological tolerance.
Two other conditions that can define an organism's ecological tolerance are flow rate and sunlight.
A plant that requires a lot of sunlight is planted in a shady area and its health declines. This is an example of the plant being outside its ecological tolerance for what factor?
This is an example of the plant being outside its ecological tolerance for sunlight.
What are the potential consequences for an organism if it is exposed to conditions outside its range of ecological tolerance?
If an organism is outside its range of ecological tolerance, injury or death can result.
A certain species of coral can only live in water with a specific salinity. What concept does this specific range of salinity represent for the species?
This represents the coral species' ecological tolerance for salinity.
Term: The range of conditions (such as temperature and sunlight) an organism can endure before injury or death.
This term is ecological tolerance.
To what biological levels does the concept of ecological tolerance apply?
Ecological tolerance is a concept that can be applied to both individual organisms and to entire species.
What are some examples of conditions that are part of an organism's ecological tolerance range?
Examples of conditions include temperature, salinity, flow rate, and sunlight.
A freshwater fish is placed in a saltwater aquarium and dies. In this scenario, the fish has been moved outside its ecological tolerance for what condition?
The fish has been moved outside its ecological tolerance for salinity.
Define ecological tolerance.
Ecological tolerance refers to the range of conditions that an organism can endure before injury or death results.