Biomes Flashcards
(118 cards)
1
Q
Ecology
A
The study of how living organisms interact with non-loving organisms
2
Q
Biosphere
A
Made up of the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere.
3
Q
Hydrosphere
A
All the water in the world are in this area
4
Q
Lithosphere
A
The entire outer crust of the planet
5
Q
Atmosphere
A
Made up of gasses and protect us from the sun’s harmful rays (gasses are oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor)
6
Q
Ecosystem
A
Groups of living organisms that interact with their environment
7
Q
-sphere
A
An area of activity that is specified by a unique trait
8
Q
Disturbance
A
An unnatural change in the natural ‘peace’ of an area
9
Q
Deforestation
A
The removal of trees when there is a lower amount of trees being produced than removed
10
Q
Soil erosion
A
the removal of soil from its natural position
11
Q
Carbon dioxide
A
A chemical that is harmful to humans and is found in the atmosphere
12
Q
Biome
A
A large area of land with a specific climate and specie spread
13
Q
Climate
A
The temperature, wind patterns, average rainfall and humidity of an area taken over a long time (approx. 30 years)
14
Q
Geography
A
The location of an object or area and its surroundings
15
Q
Average rainfall
A
The average amount of rain that falls in a timeframe
16
Q
Lattitude
A
The imaginary lines that run horizontally and separate North and South
17
Q
Altitude
A
The elevation of an object or area in regards to the sea level
18
Q
Community
A
A group of organisms that live in an area
19
Q
Micro-organisms
A
Extremely small organisms that are invisible to the naked eye without the use of a microscope
20
Q
Aquatic
A
Animals and organisms that live within the water
21
Q
Terrestrial
A
Animals and organisms that live within or above the Earth’s crust
22
Q
Seaweeds
A
A type of plant that roots itself under water
23
Q
Decomposers
A
Animals and organisms that break down anything they deem as food
24
Q
Scavengers
A
Animals and organisms that eat already dead organisms instead of hunting
25
Diversity
However many species there are.
| Higher number of species means larger diversity
26
Tides
The rise and fall of sea levels created by the Earth's attraction with the moon
27
Symbiotic
One cannot live without the other
28
Filter feeders
Animals that separate suspended food particles in the water to acquire nutrients
29
Intertidal
The area which is submerged in high tide and shown in low tide (the area between tides)
30
Coral reef
Underwater ecosystem that consists of many corals and fish species
31
Photosynthesis
The process where plants take in carbon dioxide and sunlight to create glucose which it uses to fuel itself
32
Algae
Organisms that are plant like and are able to photosynthesize
33
Plankton
A collection of unmoving organisms that go with the current and are a vital source of food for many fish
34
Estuary
An area where freshwater rivers connect with the salt water ocean
35
Spawning
The area where the next generation of a species is born and raised
36
Wetland
A body of water that is often seasonal and forms during floods. It acts as a natural filter for the water because of the many plants that reside there
37
Filter
A mechanism that separates particles by size
38
Acidic
Has a Ph level below 7 on the Ph scale
39
Fertile
Nutritious soil that provides better crop yields
40
Herds
Large groups of animals that migrate and graze together
41
Herbivores
Organisms that feed on only plants to receive nutrients (vegans)
42
Migration
When animals move large distances to find more suitable environment
43
Nocturnal
Animals that prefer hunting or scavenging at night
44
Humus
Decomposed plant matter that helps plants grow (fertillizer)
45
Canopy
A type of covering found in jungles to block out sun and is usually made of leaves
46
Nutrients
A substance that living organisms use to grow and gain energy
47
Proteas
A flower that grows mainly within South Africa and is part of the fynbos biome
48
Restios
A grass like plant that is used to make thatch and can be found in the fynbos biome
49
Ericas
Fragrant flowers that are found mainly within the fynbos biome
50
Geophytes
Bulb like plants that bloom after fires and can be found in the fynbos biome
51
Aromatic
A word to describe any smell that lingers in the air
52
Adaptations
The evolution of a specie to better fit their environment
53
Myrmecochory
The dispersal of seeds by means of ants
54
Serotiny
Plants that bloom under specific conditions e.g. after a fire
55
Germination
The word used to describe a plant growing from a seed
56
Ecology
The study of living organisms' relationships with its environment
57
Ecologist
A person that studies ecology
58
Ecosystem
A community and its abiotic environment
59
Abiotic
Any non-living item
60
Biotic
Any living organism
61
Community
A collection of populations that live and interact with one another in an area
62
Organisms
A single living individual
63
Population
A group of organisms in the same area at the same time
64
Species
A group of organisms that can interbreed and create fertile offspring
65
Interbreed
Reproduction of a species
66
Fertile
Able to produce more offspring
67
Niche
The role an organism plays in its ecosystem
68
Habitat
The environment where a species can be found
69
Producers
An organism that makes its own food e.g. Photosynthesis in plants
70
Autotrophs
Organisms that produce their own food
71
Cyanobacteria
The organisms that helps to accomplish photosynthesis
72
Glucose
The most basic form of fuel organisms use to make energy
73
Organic molecules
Any chemical compound that has a carbon-hydrogen bond in it e.g. Proteins and lipids
74
Starches
A combination of many glucose molecules joined together
75
Lipids
The functions of lipids include storing energy, signaling, and acting as structural components of cell membranes
76
Proteins
Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chains
77
Nucleic acids
Nucleic acid is an important class of macromolecules found in all cells and viruses. The functions of nucleic acids have to do with the storage and expression of genetic information. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) encodes the information the cell needs to make proteins
78
Consumers
Organisms that rely on outer means to acquire nutrients and energy
79
Heterotrophs
An organisms that receives energy by outside means
80
Herbivores
Organisms that only eat plants
81
Carnivores
Organisms that only eat animals
82
Omnivores
Organisms that eat both plants and animals
83
Decomposers
Organisms that break down another organism to acquire energy
84
Saprotrophs
An organism which gets its energy from dead and decaying organic matter
85
Energy
The component living organisms use to carry out a task
86
Food web
The different interconnected feeding relationships in an ecosystem
87
Food chain
A single feeding relationship in an ecosystem
88
Trophic level
The position an organism fits into a feeding relationship e.g. Primary producers(Plants), primary consumers(Herbivores), secondary consumers(Carnivores)
89
Metabolic processes
The process where an organism makes energy and the pathway it takes to reach the entire body
90
Ecological pyrmids
Graphical representation of the relationships between organisms in an ecosystem
91
Biomass
The total weight of dry living matter in an area
92
Photoperiodism
A regulation in plants that only allow it to bloom at certain times
93
Light intensity
Refers to the amount or strength of light in an area or emitted from a light source
94
Nocturnal
Organisms that are active mainly in the night
95
Diurnal
Organisms that are active mainly during the day
96
Hibernation
A state an organism lowers its body temperature, heart rate and metabolism to survive harsher conditions e.g. Lack of food and harsher weather
97
Aestivation
A similar event to hibernation but happens in the summer
98
Counter-current blood flow
The process where organisms use their blood to manage body heat by having blood vessels close together to share/absorb heat e.g. The blood going to the feet of a penguin is cooled down by the blood coming out which is warmed by the blood going in
99
Migration
Traveling large distances to escape harsh weather or seasonal challenges
100
Annual(Plant)
A plant that finishes its entire life cycle within one growing season
101
Deciduous(Plant)
Plant that lose their leaves as an adaptation to unwanted conditions
102
Evergreen(Plant)
Plants that retain green leaves throughout multiple growing seasons
103
Bulbs(Plants)
Plants that remain underground until certain conditions are met
104
Corms
A short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that serves as a storage organ that some plants use to survive winter or other adverse conditions such as summer drought and heat
105
Tubers
Tubers are enlarged structures in some plant species used as storage organs for nutrients
106
Rhizomes
A modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes
107
Physiographic
The geographical factors that affect an object/area
108
Aspect
The direction an object is in relation to the sun
109
Altitude
The height of an object/area in relation to sea level
110
Slope
A surface of which one end or side is at a higher level than another; a rising or falling surface
111
Nitrogen(N2)
The main gas in our atmosphere(approx. 78%)
112
Nitrites(NO2-)
Poisones gas that is created during nitrification
113
Nitrates(NO3-)
Compounds used to create proteins and is formed during the second nitrification
114
Ammonia(NH4+)
Compound formed by decaying organic matter
115
Excretion
The release of waste products of an organism
116
Nitrification
The process where ammonium is converted to nitrites and nitrates and is caused by nitrifying bacteria
117
Denitrification
The process where nitrites and nitrates are converted to nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria
118
Eutrophication
The process where a body of water's ecosystem is destroyed due to an algal bloom which occurs when a spike of nutrients appears in the water. The algae blocks the sun from entering the water body which prevents photosynthesis from happening beneath the water. The algae prevents diffusion from occurring and kills off most organisms. The increase of decaying matter produces lots of bacteria which use all the leftover O2 for decomposition and gives off lots of CO2
