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B7 Flashcards

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1
Q

State the levels of organisation in an ecosystem. (4)

A

Individual. Population. Community. Ecosystem.

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2
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

The interaction between the living and non-living parts of an environment.

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3
Q

State the factors that plants may compete for. (4)

A

Light. Space. Water. Mineral ions

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4
Q

State the factors animals might compete for. (3)

A

Food. Mates. Territory

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5
Q

What is intraspecific competition?

A

Competition among members of the same species

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6
Q

What is interspecific competition?

A

Competition between members of different species

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7
Q

What is interdependence?

A

Different species in a ecosystem depend on each other for various resources; if one species is removed; the whole community may be affected.

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8
Q

What is a stable community?

A

A community is one where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that the population sizes remain fairly constant.

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9
Q

What are abiotic factors and what are some examples?

A

Nonliving factors like: Light intensity; Temperature; Soil pH; Wind intensity; Carbon dioxide concentration

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10
Q

Why might light intensity affect an ecosystem?

A

Different species of plants may have different optimum light intensities for growth.

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11
Q

Why does temperature affect an ecosystem?

A

Different species of plants and animals may have different optimum temperatures for growth and survival.

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12
Q

How does soil pH affect an ecosystem?

A

Certain plants may grow better in either alkaline or acidic soil. Soil pH may affect the appearance of the plant.

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13
Q

How does moisture level affect an ecosystem?

A

Many plants cannot survive in waterlogged soil as their roots cannot respire. Certain plants are adapted to high moisture levels.

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14
Q

How does wind intensity affect an ecosystem?

A

Plant seeds are more likely to germinate in locations with lower wind intensity which may also attract animals that depend on the plant to live nearby.

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15
Q

How does soil mineral content affect an ecosystem?

A

Most plants require a high level of soil minerals to grow well.

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16
Q

How does carbon dioxide concentration affect an ecosystem?

A

Higher carbon dioxide concentration leads to more plant growth.

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17
Q

How does oxygen concentration affect an ecosystem?

A

Aquatic animals cannot survive in areas with low oxygen concentration.

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18
Q

State the biotic factors that may affect an ecosystem.

A

Food. New pathogens. New predators. Competition.

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19
Q

What are adaptations?

A

Features that allow an organism to survive in the conditions that they normally live in

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20
Q

What are extremophiles?

A

Organisms that live in extreme environments

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21
Q

Give 3 examples of extreme living environments

A

High temperature. High pressure. High salt concentration

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22
Q

State an example of where extremophile bacteria can be found.

A

Deep sea vents

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23
Q

Define population

A

The number of organisms of the same species that live in a particular environment

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24
Q

Define habitat

A

Place where an organism lives

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25
Define community
Populations of different species interacting
26
What do food chains show?
Food chains show the feeding relationships of different organisms and the flow of energy between the organisms.
27
Define biomass
The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume.
28
What are tropic levels?
Position of an organism in a food chain
29
What do arrows in a food chain represent?
The direction of biomass transfer
30
Describe a simple food chain
producer → primary consumer → secondary consumer → tertiary consumer
31
What is a producer?
An organism that makes its own food
32
What types of organisms are primary producers?
Plants and algae - trap energy from sun
33
What is a primary consumer?
An organism that eats producers
34
What is a secondary consumer?
An organism that eats primary consumers
35
What is a tertiary consumer?
An organism that eats secondary consumers
36
What is a predator?
An animal that hunts other animals for food
37
What is prey?
An animal that is hunted and killed by another for food
38
Describe the pattern of predators and prey in a stable community
The numbers of predators and prey rise and fall in cycles
39
Why are producers the first trophic level?
1. Producers provide all biomass for the food chain (via photosynthesis). 2. The rest of the food chain involves the transfer of this biomass
40
What is a quadrat used for?
To measure population size in a particular area
41
What is a transect?
It is a line that helps to found out how many organisms are distributed across an area
42
Required practical 9 - measure the population size of a common species (quadrats)
1. Use random numbers to generate a set of coordinates to place your first quadrat. 2. Count the number of different plant species within this quadrat (the species richness). 3. Repeat 14 times using different random numbers. 4. Repeat steps in different locations. 5. Compare your results by calculating a mean for each location
43
Required practical 9 - measure the population size of a common species (transects)
You can do this by placing a measuring tape along the shore line then placing a quadrat at different distances along this line and recording the species and their numbers.
44
3 molecules which are cycled through ecosystems
oxygen; carbon dioxide; water
45
Briefly describe the carbon cycle
The carbon cycle is nature's way of reusing carbon atoms, which travel from the atmosphere into organisms in the Earth and then back into the atmosphere over and over again.
46
Why is the carbon cycle important?
Carbon-containing molecules such as glucose are important for living organisms to grow and provide energy for vital functions within cells.
47
Briefly describe the water cycle
1) Solar energy heats the earth causing evaporation (ocean; soil; transpiration of plants) 2) Water vapor condenses as it cools into clouds 3) Water returns to earth as precipitation (snow; rain; hail). 4) Taken up by plants; surface run off or percolates through soil into ground water.
48
Why is the water cycle important?
Living organisms require water and the water cycle provides organisms on land with a continuous supply of water.
49
Why are microorganisms important for the cycling of materials through an ecosystem?
Microorganisms return carbon to the environment by releasing carbon dioxide through respiration while they decompose dead matter. The decomposition of dead matter in soil returns mineral ions to the environment for other organisms to use
50
What is meant by decomposition?
The breakdown of dead materials into simpler organic matter
51
How do decomposers break down dead matter?
Decomposers release enzymes which catalyse the breakdown of dead material into smaller molecules.
52
What are the ideal condition for something to NOT decay?
1. Cold temperature. 2. No oxygen. 3. No water.
53
What are the two types of decomposition?
aerobic and anaerobic
54
What does anaerobic decomposition emit?
Methane gas.
55
What factors affect the rate of decomposition?
Oxygen availability. Temperature. Water content
56
Why is oxygen required for decomposition?
Most decomposers require oxygen for aerobic respiration
57
How does the availability of oxygen affect the rate of decomposition?
As oxygen levels increase, the rate of decomposition increases. As oxygen levels decrease, the rate of decomposition decreases.
58
Why does decomposition require water?
Water is required for the secretion of enzymes and absorption of dissolved molecules.
59
How does temperature affect the rate of decomposition?
Chemical reactions generally work faster in warmer conditions; but if it is too hot the enzymes can denature and stop decomposition
60
What is compost?
Decomposed organic matter that is used as a natural fertiliser for crops and garden plants
61
Required practical 10 - investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of decay. (5)
1. Place 20 cm3 of fresh milk into three beakers. 2. Each beaker will be 5 and 20 and 35°C. 3. Use universal indicator paper or solution to determine the pH of the milk in the three beakers. 4. Cover each beaker in cling film and incubate at the appropriate temperature. 5. Use universal indicator paper or solution to determine the pH of the milk in the three beakers after 24 and 48 and 72 hours
62
What impacts can sulfur dioxide have on the environment?
1. Formed when fossil fuels containing impurities are burnt. 2. Sulfur dioxide can dissolve in water to form acid rain which can erode buildings and pollute water sources.
63
Name 4 greenhouse gases
Methane. Carbon dioxide. Water vapour. 4. Nitrous oxide
64
Give 3 human activities that contribute to greenhouse gases
1. Burning fossil fuels. 2. Deforestation. 3. Large scale livestock farming
65
How do greenhouse gases lead to global warming?
1. Greenhouse gases allow heat from the sun to enter the atmosphere. 2. The gases act as a 'blanket' and trap the heat in the atmosphere.
66
State 3 negative consequences of global warming
1. Sea level rise caused by melting icebergs. 2. Disrupted farming and agriculture. 3. Increased spread of diseases in warmer climates.
67
What is biodiversity?
The variety of different species of organisms on Earth or within an ecosystem
68
What is the importance of biodiversity?
To maintain the stability of an ecosystem
69
How does biodiversity ensure the stability of an ecosystem?
It reduces the dependence on particular species for resources eg. food and shelter so that even if one species is removed other species can still survive.
70
Why have humans' consumption of resources and waste production increased?
1. Rapid rise in human population. 2. Increase in standard of living
71
3 types of pollution
Air e.g. smoke and acidic gases. Water e.g. sewage; fertiliser; chemicals. Land. e.g. landfill and toxic chemicals.
72
What are peat bogs?
Areas of land that are acidic and waterlogged
73
Why have peat bogs been destroyed?
To produce compost to increase food production.
74
Why does the destruction of peat bogs greatly contribute to the greenhouse effect?
Peat bogs are stores of carbon and burning them releases a large volume of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
75
Why is deforestation needed?
Provide land for cattle and rice fields. Grow crops for biofuels.
76
What are the harmful effects of deforestation?
1. Destruction of many animals' habitats. 2. Releases large amounts of greenhouse gases
77
State 3 consequences of global warming
1. Rising sea levels. 2. Melting polar ice caps. 3. Migration of animals to find suitable habitats
78
State 3 ways to maintain biodiversity
1. Breeding programmes for endangered species. 2. Replanting field margins and hedgerows. 3. Reduce deforestation. 4. Recycling rather than landfill. 5. Protection and regeneration of habitats.
79
What are the different levels in the trophic system?
Level 1 - producers. Level 2 - primary consumers. Level 3 - secondary consumers. Level 4 Tertiary consumers.
80
How do decomposers break down dead animal and plant matter?
They secrete enzymes into the environment. The small soluble food molecules diffuse into the microorganism.
81
Approximately how much of the biomass is passed on?
0.1
82
Why is there such a big loss in biomass?
1. Not all material is absorbed like faeces and bones. 2. Some material is lost as waste like co2 and water in respiration.
83
How do you work out the efficiency?
Level 2 / Level 1 X 100
84
What is food security?
Having enough food to feed a population
85
What are some biological factors which are threatening food security? (5)
1. Increased birth rate and population. 2. Changing diets. 3. New pests and pathogens which affect farming. 4. Costs of agricultural inputs. 5. Conflicts in some areas.
86
How can the efficiency of food production be improved?
Restricting energy transfer from food animals to the environment. E.g. by limiting their movement and controlling the temperature of their surroundings.
87
What are some animals fed to increase growth?
Lots of protein
88
Why is important to maintain fish stocks?
It is currently declining so some species may disappear altogether!
89
What is genetic modification?
The changing of an organism's DNA to add or improve its characteristics e.g. bigger and more fruit.
90
Give some info about the fungus Fusarium.
It produces mycoprotein which is a protein rich food for vegetarians.

Biology (7 decks)

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