Ecology and Human Influences

Question 1

What is a bionic factor

Answer 1

Living components that affect the ecosystem and organisms within it

Question 2

What are abiotic factors

Answer 2

Non-living physical conditions that influence or affect the ecosystem and the organisms within it

Question 3

What is a habitat

Answer 3

The place where specific organisms live. An ecosystem is made up of lots of habitats

Question 4

What is a community

Answer 4

A combination of all populations of different species interacting with one and another within the ecosystem

Question 5

What is the population

Answer 5

All organisms belonging to one/the same species living in an ecosystem

Question 6

How do you know where to place your quadrat

Answer 6

Get a table of random numbers to generate co-ordinates

Question 7

Place quadrat on ground, if plant takes up……then mark it as…..

Answer 7

Over 50%

Present

Question 8

How do you work out the percentage cover of plants in the 10m x 10m area

Answer 8

No. squares plant was present in
————————————————- (x100)
Total number of squares

Question 9

What is a transect

Answer 9

A 10m line to investigate how the number of organisms change over the habitat

Question 10

Give a method of using a transect

Answer 10

Measure 12m from the top of the hill to the bottom using tape measure

At every meter, place the quadrat against the length of tape, always on the left.

See the percentage cover of each little square in the 1m²

Do this every meter and record the average percentage cover on the table afterwards.

Question 11

What is an autotroph

Answer 11

Makes own food (plant)

Question 12

What is a heterotroph

Answer 12

Gets nutrition from eating other animals

Question 13

What are decomposers

Answer 13

Organisms, namely bacteria and fungi, that break down dead or decaying matter.

Question 14

In a food web, the arrow represents the……of……..

Answer 14

Transfer of energy

Question 15

What shape will pyramids of Biomass always be

Answer 15

Pyramids!

Question 16

How do you work out the energy efficiency in trophic levels

Answer 16

Energy in Trophic Level 2
Efficiency = ————————————
Energy in Trophic Level 1

Question 17

Give two types of decomposers

Answer 17

Fungi

Bacteria

Question 18

What does Nitrifying Bacteria do

Answer 18

Converts Ammonia to Nitrites to Nitrates (Soil)

Question 19

What are Denitrifying Bacteria

Answer 19

Nitrogen is converted into the atmosphere (Soil)

Question 20

What do Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria do

Answer 20

Nitrogen converted to Ammonia (Soil, roots (legumes))

Question 21

Give two molecules in our body that contain Nitrogen

Answer 21

Protein

DNA

Question 22

Give the difference between Organic and Inorganic fertilisers

Answer 22

Organic contains carbon (natural) e.g Manure

Inorganic are more complex, no Carbon e.g NPK

Question 23

Give some effects acid rain has on the planet

Answer 23

If inhaled, acid can damage the delicate tissue winning the lungs

The acid can directly damage the leaves of plants, meaning that they can no longer carry out photosynthesis

Animals with soft skins, such as fish + amphibians may have their skin damaged by the acid rain falling into ponds, lakes and rivers

Acidity cause more mineral ions to become more soluble

Poisons such as aluminium will be absorbed by the plant

Essential mineral ions may be washed away.

Question 24

What is a greenhouse gas

Answer 24

Gas that trap some of the heat radiated from the Earths surface and prevent it from escaping

Question 25

What is the greenhouse effect

Answer 25

Heat is retained on surface go the Earth, as a direct result of greenhouse gasses

Question 26

What is global warming

Answer 26

An environmental condition of the average increase of the temperature of the Earth’s surface + atmosphere

Question 27

Explain why food chains are one made of 4 trophic levels

Answer 27

Energy is lost through each level

e.g Respiration, exertion, not all of the organic is consumed and heat

So there is not enough energy to sustain anymore than 4 levels

Question 28

What type of radiation is emitted from the Sun

Answer 28

Short wave - Uv light

Question 29

What type of wave is remitted by the Earth

Answer 29

Long wave - Infa-red

Question 30

Give the 5 greenhouse gasses

Answer 30

Methane - Increased farming (animals + crops)

Water Vapour

Carbon Dioxide - Combustion of fuels + Deforestation

Nitrous Oxide - Combustion + break down of artificial Nitrogen fertilisers

Chlorofluorocarbons - Artificial chemicals produced for use in fridges and aerosol cans

Question 31

Give some effects of global warming

Answer 31

Rising sea levels
Ice Caps Melting
Animals left with no habitat
More droughts
Stronger storms
Increased rainfall
Wetter winters
Mountain snow could melt

Question 32

What effect does deforestation have on the water cycle

Answer 32

Little transpiration could lead to a dry climate

Water will then collect on the soil which will cause floods

Question 33

What effect does deforestation have on the soil

Answer 33

Nutrients taken up by plants are not put back into soil

Less barriers to prevent water from washing away nutrient in the soil

Soil erosion as roots not holding soil together

Desertification

Question 34

What effect does deforestation have on the Carbon cycle and balance of CO2 and O2 in the atmosphere

Answer 34

Less carbon dioxide absorbed as less photosynthesis due to the lack of trees

Burning trees will release carbon dioxide

Less oxygen produced as little photosynthesis