Definitions Paper 2

Question 1

Define ecology?

Answer 1

The study of the relationships between living organisms, and their living and non - living environment

Question 2

Define biosphere?

Answer 2

The part of the Earth that supports life.

Question 3

Define hydrosphere

Answer 3

Is the combined mass of water found on, under and above the surface of the earth

Question 4

Define atmosphere

Answer 4

Is the layer of gases surrounding the earth

Question 5

Define lithosphere

Answer 5

Is the rocky outer part of the earth

Question 6

Define climate

Answer 6

The typical weather conditions in a particular area

Question 7

Define biome

Answer 7

A region with a certain climate, soil type and type of vegetation

Question 8

What are the two types of biomes?

Answer 8

Aquatic (in water) and terrestrial (on land) biomes

Question 9

Define wetlands

Answer 9

Areas with a shallow layer of water with vegetation growing in and on the edges of the water

Question 10

Define flora

Answer 10

Plant life

Question 11

Define Species diversity

Answer 11

The variety of different types of living things found in an area

Question 12

Define Sediment

Answer 12

Layers of sand and other small particles that settle at the bottom of rivers, lakes and dams

Question 13

Define biotic factors

Answer 13

Living organisms

Question 14

Define Abiotic factors

Answer 14

Non - living factors important for living organisms like sun and water

Question 15

Define environment

Answer 15

Any living or non - living factor that has an influence on living organisms

Question 16

Define Poaching

Answer 16

The illegal catching and killing of animals

Question 17

Define extinction

Answer 17

The death of all individuals of a species

Question 18

Define producers

Answer 18

Plant that use light energy from the sun to produce food

Question 19

Define Consumers

Answer 19

Organisms that are not able to make their own food; they eat other organisms

Question 20

Define Decomposers

Answer 20

Organisms that feed on dead matter, breaking it down and returning it to the environment

Question 21

Define silt

Answer 21

Very fine particles of rock

Question 22

Define humus

Answer 22

The organic material in soil formed by decomposition of organisms by decomposers

Question 23

Define water - holding capacity

Answer 23

The amount of water a soil can hold

Question 24

Define photosynthesis

Answer 24

The process of using light energy to make food

Question 25

Define photoperiod

Answer 25

The number of hours of light that a plant gets every day

Question 26

Define diurnal

Answer 26

Active during the day and inactive at night

Question 27

Define nocturnal

Answer 27

Active at night and inactive at daytime

Question 28

Define migration

Answer 28

The seasonal movement of animals from one area to another due to climate conditions such as temperature and rainfall

Question 29

Define hibernation

Answer 29

Is the slowing down of body processes when temperatures drop and food becomes scarce

Question 30

Define aestivation

Answer 30

Is the slowing down of body activity and processes in response to high temperatures

Question 31

Define pollution

Answer 31

The transfer of pollen from the another to the stigma

Question 32

Define physiographic factors

Answer 32

Factors that relate to the physical features of the land, such as altitude, aspect and slope

Question 33

Define wind

Answer 33

Wind is moving currents of air

Question 34

Define altitude

Answer 34

The height above sea level

Question 35

Define slope

Answer 35

How steep or flat an area is

Question 36

Define aspect

Answer 36

The direction a slope faces

Question 37

Define trophic levels

Answer 37

A position or level in food chain that describes the feeding or energy relationships at that level

Question 38

Define heterotrophs

Answer 38

Organisms that cannot make their own food and have to rely on other animals for food

Question 39

Define autotrophs

Answer 39

Organisms that make their own food

Question 40

Define primary consumers

Answer 40

Animals that feed on plant material (herbivores)

Question 41

Tertiary consumers

Answer 41

Carnivores that eat other carnivores

Question 42

What are the two types of consumers?

Answer 42

Primary (for herbivores) and tertiary (for carnivores)

Question 43

Define food chain

Answer 43

Shows how each living thing gets its food. Food and energy pass from one trophic level to the next in food chain

Question 44

Define global warming

Answer 44

A rise in the average temperatures on Earth

Question 45

Define nitrates

Answer 45

A form of nitrogen that can be used by plants to make proteins

Question 46

Define ammonia

Answer 46

A gas containing nitrogen that is converted into nitrites and nitrates by bacteria in the nitrogen cycle

Question 47

Define nitrites

Answer 47

A form of nitrogen that is converted into nitrates by bacteria in the nitrogen cycle

Question 48

Define eutrophication

Answer 48

Excess algal growth owing to an abundant supply of plant nutrients, which causes problems for other organisms in the system

Question 49

Define biodiversity

Answer 49

The variety of living organisms on Earth

Question 50

Define classification

Answer 50

Arranging living organisms according to their similarities

Question 51

Define taxonomy

Answer 51

The science of naming, describing and classifying organisms