b7 - ecology

Question 1

define what a ‘biome’ is

Answer 1

a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat

Question 2

define what an ‘ ecosystem ‘ is

Answer 2

a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment

Question 3

define what a ‘ community ‘ is

Answer 3

an interacting group of various species in a common location

Question 4

define ‘ population ‘

Answer 4

a group of animals, plants or humans among whose members are interbreeding

Question 5

define what an ‘ abiotic factor ‘ is

Answer 5

non-living elements of an ecosystem

Question 6

give examples of an eco-system

Answer 6

climate
temperature
water
soil

Question 7

define what a ‘ biotic factor ‘

Answer 7

living elements of an ecosystem

Question 8

give examples of a biotic factor

Answer 8

plants
animals

Question 9

what does a food chain represent?

Answer 9

one set of feeding relationships in an ecosystem

Question 10

what do the arrows in a food chain represent?

Answer 10

the flow of energy in a food chain

Question 11

define
producer
consumer
decomposer

Answer 11

producer : organisms that produce their own food
consumer : organisms that eat other organisms or organic matter
decomposer : breaks down dead animals, animal waste and plants

Question 12

define
heterotrophs

Answer 12

an organism that cannot manufacture its own food and obtains its food and energy by taking in organic substances

Question 13

define autotrophs

Answer 13

an organism capable of synthesising its own food from inorganic substances

Question 14

name the 3 consumer types and what they eat

Answer 14

primary : eat producers ( herbivores )
secondary : eat primary consumers and producers ( carnivores and omnivores )
tertiary : eat secondary consumers and producers

Question 15

name the 2 types of decomposers

Answer 15

detritivores
saprophytes

Question 16

define the 2 types of decomposers

Answer 16

detritivore : larger organisms that help speed up decay by feeding on detritus

saprophytes : decompose bacteria and fungi

Question 17

name the 3 adaptations categories

Answer 17

structural
behavioural
functional

Question 18

define a structural adaptation

Answer 18

structures of the organism’s body that are adapted

Question 19

define a behavioural adaptation

Answer 19

the way a particular organism behaves in order to survive in its natural habitat

Question 20

define a functional adaptation

Answer 20

the way an organism’s body works

Question 21

describe an animal’s adaptations for a cold environment

Answer 21

structural : thick fur coats
behavioural : hibernate in the coldest parts of the year
functional : store energy as a layer of blabber under the skin

Question 22

describe an animal’s adaptations for a hot climate

Answer 22

structural : don’t sweat to prevent water loss
behavioural : remain in burrows during hot days
functional : keep insulating fat and body hair to a minimum to prevent overheating