Chapter 3-4 Flashcards

1
Q

Ecology

A

the scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

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2
Q

Biotic

A

Contains carbon

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3
Q

Abiotic

A

Does not contain carbon

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4
Q

Biosphere

A

where all life exists

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5
Q

List and describe the levels of ecology:

A

Species: A group of organisms that are able to reproduce.
Populations: A group of organisms in a given area at a given time.
Communities: A group of populations in a defined area.
Ecosystem: All living and nonliving factors in an environment.
Biome: Area with a certain climate.
Biosphere: Where all life exists.

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6
Q

What are the three basic approaches scientists use?

A

Observing: Using all your senses to study an organism.
Experimenting: Testing a hypothesis, can be natural or artificial.
Modeling: Represents an idea or concept.

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7
Q

What is sunlight?

A

the ultimate source of energy for life on Earth.

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8
Q

Autotrophs

A

Make their own food.

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9
Q

Photosynthesis

A

Photosynthesis: Using light to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and energy-rich carbohydrates.

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10
Q

Chemosynthesis

A

Use chemical energy to produce carbs.

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11
Q

Heterotrophs

A

Have to go get their food

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12
Q
Describe the types of consumers:
Herbivores
Carnivore
Omnivores
Detritivores
Decomposers
A

Herbivores: Eat plants.
Carnivore: Eat meat.
Omnivores: Eat both plants and meat.
Detritivores: Feed on detritus which are the remains of dead organisms.
Decomposers: Break down dead organic matter.

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13
Q

Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs and heterotrophs.

A

Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs and heterotrophs.

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14
Q

Food Chain Ex.

A

3 organisms

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15
Q

Food Web Ex.

A

5 organisms

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16
Q

What % of energy is transferred to the next organism?

A

10%

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17
Q

Energy Pyramid

A

The largest group on bottom building the pyramid to the smallest group at the top.

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18
Q

Biomass Pyramid

A

Shows the amount of living tissue.

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19
Q

Pyramid of Numbers

A

The number of individuals of each species.

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20
Q

Nutrient

A

Anything needed for life

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21
Q

Carbon Cycle

A

Mostly goes from Co2 breathed out by animals and brought into plants and O2 breathed in by animals and breathed out by plants.

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22
Q

Carbon

A

The element of life.

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23
Q

Most carbon is not moving at a given time.

A

Only recycled when organisms die.

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24
Q

Nitrogen Cycle

A

Goes from nitrogen fixation > Denitrification > Back to nitrogen fixation.

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25
Q

What % of the earth’s atmosphere does nitrogen make up?

A

78%

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26
Q

Nitrogen Fixation

A

Plants converting nitrogen gas into ammonia.

27
Q

Legumes

A

Put nitrogen back into the soil. Ex: soybeans.

28
Q

Denifitrication

A

Converting nitrates into nitrogen gas.

29
Q

Phosphorus Cycle

A

Cycles between rocks, soil, and the ocean.

30
Q

Limiting Nutrient

A

Determines how well an ecosystem does.

31
Q

Algal Bloom

A

Quick growth because there are enough nutrients in the area.

32
Q

Weather

A

Day to day conditions of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.

33
Q

Climate

A

Average year after year conditions of temperature and precipitation.

34
Q

Greenhouse Effect

A

The natural situation in which heat is retained by the Earth’s atmosphere.

35
Q

Polar

A

Cold areas where the sun’s rays strike Earth at a very low angle.

36
Q

Temperate

A

Most affected by changing the angle of the sun, has seasons.

37
Q

Tropic

A

Receive direct sunlight so warmer.

38
Q

What is the tilt of the axis?

A

23.5 degrees

39
Q

What drives the currents?

A

The unequal heating of Earth’s surface drives the winds and ocean currents.

40
Q

Niche

A

An animal’s job in the ecosystem

41
Q

Can two species in the same ecosystem have the same niche?

A

no

42
Q

Competition

A

Fighting for resources

43
Q

Resources

A

Anything needed for life

44
Q

Predation

A

One organism (predator) captures and kills the other (prey).

45
Q

Mutualism

A

Both species benefit.

46
Q

Parasite

A

One organism benefits (parasite) and the other is harmed (host).

47
Q

Commensalism

A

One organism benefits while the other is not affected at all.

48
Q

Are ecosystems constantly changing? Why?

A

Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human disturbances > older inhabitants gradually die out and new organisms move in.

49
Q

Ecological Succession

A

Series of predictable changes that occurs in a community over time.

50
Q

Primary Succession

A

It starts with bare rock.

51
Q

Secondary Succession

A

It starts with the soil.

52
Q

Terrestrial

A

On land

53
Q

Microclimate

A

The small area that differs in climate from one around it. mall area that differs in climate from one around it.

54
Q

Tropical Rain Forest

A

Hot and humid, rains year-round.

More species than all other biomes combined.

55
Q

Tropical Dry Forest

A

Rain is seasonal.

Mostly deciduous trees will lose their leaves during dry seasons.

56
Q

Tropical Savanna

A

Seasonal rainfall, less than tropical dry forest but more than a desert.
Usually, a grassland since it is covered in many kinds of grass.

57
Q

Desert

A

Less than 25 cm of rainfall per year.

Usually extreme temperature changes from day to night.

58
Q

Temperate Grassland

A

Mostly farmland.

Normal seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter.

59
Q

Temperate Woodland and Shrubland

A

An area dominated by shrubs known as chaparral.

Constant fire threats.

60
Q

Temperate Forest

A

A mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees.

Year-round precipitation.

61
Q

Northwestern Coniferous Forest

A

Abundant rainfall from the Pacific Ocean.

Mild temperatures.

62
Q

Boreal Forest

A

Also called taiga.

Dense evergreens.

63
Q

Tundra

A

Permafrost: Layer of permanently frozen subsoil.

Low precipitation.