Ecology Flashcards
(172 cards)
1
Q
habitat
A
place where an organism lives
2
Q
population
A
all the organisms of one species living in a habitat
3
Q
community
A
the populations of different species living in a habitat
4
Q
abiotic factors
A
non-living factors of the environment
5
Q
biotic factors
A
living factors of the environment
6
Q
ecosystem
A
the interaction of a community of biotic and abiotic factors
7
Q
what resources to plants compete for to survive
A
- light
- space
- water
- mineral ions (nutrients) from the soil
8
Q
interdependence
A
all species in a community depends on each other to survive (food, shelter, pollination and seed dispersal)
9
Q
why can a change in the ecosystem have massive effects
A
because of the interdependence of all living things and how they all use and need each other to survive and function
10
Q
food chain
A
what eats what
11
Q
what is the stable communities like in a tropical rainforests
A
all the species and environmental factors in a community are in balance so the population size stays roughly constant
12
Q
examples of abiotic factors
A
- moisture level
- light intensity
- temperature
- carbon dioxide levels
- wind intensity and direction
- oxygen levels
- soul pH and mineral content
13
Q
a change in the environment could be
A
- an increase or decreases in abiotic factors (increase in temperature)
- introduction of a new biotic factor (new predator or pathogen)
14
Q
decrease in mineral content or the soil could cause
A
nutrient deficiencies and affect plant growth, decrease population size
15
Q
adaptations
A
organisms or microorganisms change a function and features to better suit living in a different condition
16
Q
extremophiles
A
microorganisms that are adapted to live in very extreme conditions
17
Q
food chains always start with what
A
a producer
18
Q
how do producers make their own food
A
use energy from the Sun
19
Q
how is energy transferred through living organisms in an ecosystem
A
when organisms eat other organisms
20
Q
who are producers eaten by
A
primary consumers
21
Q
who are primary consumers eaten by
A
second consumers
22
Q
who are secondary consumers eaten by
A
tertiary consumers
23
Q
example: producer
A
dandelions
24
Q
example: primary consumers
A
rabbits
25
example: secondary consumers
fox
26
quadrat
a square frame enclosed on a area to compare how common an organism is in two areas
27
how to use quadrants to study the distribution of small organisms
1) place a 1m*2 quadrat on ground at random point in first sample area (field)
2) count all organisms within quadrat
3) repeat steps 1and 2 as many times as possible
4) work out the mean number of organisms per quadrat
5) repeat steps 1-4 in second sample area (under tree in shade)
6) compare the means of the two sample areas
28
how to use transects to study the distribution of organisms along a line
1) mark out a line with a tape measure in area your studying
2) count all organisms that touch the line
29
water cycle: stage 1
energy form sun heats water to make water vapour, makes it evaporate
30
water cycle: step 2
water evaporates from plants (transpiration)
31
water cycle: step 3
water vapour goes up, cools, condenses, forms clouds
32
water cycle: step 4
precipitation falls from clouds (rain) onto land
33
water cycle: step 5
water that’s not absorbed by soil will runoff into rivers or streams
34
water cycle: step 6
water drains into seas (cycle restarts)
35
biodiversity
variety of different species of organisms within an ecosystem
36
why is high biodiversity important
make sure ecosystems are stable because different species all depend on each other for food and some maintain a healthy physical environment
37
what human actions are reducing biodiversity
- waste production
- deforestation
- global warming
38
what is currently happening to the population of the world
rising very quickly
39
why is the population of the world rising quickly
- use of modern medicine (reduce death)
- farming methods (reduce hunger)
- natural increase
40
effects of increasing demands on the environment
people demand higher standard of living so use more raw materials and energy to manufacture it, taking lots of resources, run out soon
41
what are the effects of increasing waste
- makes waste chemicals
- if not properly handled, cause harmful pollution
- pollution affects water, land, air and kill plants and animals (reducing biodiversity)
42
water pollution/waste
- sewage and toxic chemicals from industry pollute lakes, rivers and oceans
- can affect or kill animals and plants
- chemicals used on plants (fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides) wash and contaminate water
43
land pollution/waste
- toxic chemicals used for farming (pesticides, herbicides)
- we bury nuclear waste underground
44
air pollution/waste
smoke and acidic gases released into atmosphere pollute the air (sulfur dioxide causes acid rain)
45
temperature of the Earth is a balance between what
- the energy it gets from Sun
- energy it radiates back out into space
46
gases in the atmosphere naturally act like what
an insulating layer, absorb most energy radiated out into space and re-radiate it in all directions (back to Earth) increases temperature of planet
47
consequences of global warming
- high temperatures cause animals to move habitats and sea levels to rise, leads to flooding and loss of habitats
- biodiversity may be reduced if animals go extinct
48
problems of deforestation
- more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
- less carbon dioxide taken in
- less biodiversity
49
problems of deforestation (more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere)
- carbon dioxide released when trees burned
- microorganisms feed on dead wood release carbon dioxide a waste product of respiration
50
problems of deforestation (less carbon dioxide taken in)
- trees store up carbon that they absorb during photosynthesis in their wood
- remove trees, carbon dioxide escapes into atmosphere
51
problems of deforestation (less biodiversity)
habitats like forests contain huge amounts of biodiversity because of huge number of species, forest cut down biodiversity is reduced, species go extinct
52
what are bogs
areas of land that are acidic and waterlogged
53
what are the plants like that live in bogs
- die because not enough oxygen, then don’t fully decay
- rotted plants build up to form peat
54
in a bog where is the carbon stored in a plant
in the peat instead of being released into the atmosphere
55
what often happens to peat bogs
- often drained so area can be used for farming
- peat is cut up and dried to use as fuel
- sold to gardens as compost
56
what is happening with the resource of peat
being used faster than it forms
57
what happens when peat is drained
comes in contact with air and microorganisms decompose that respire and release carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming
58
what are the effects of destroying bogs
- contributing to global warming
- destroys habitats so reduces biodiversity
59
programmes set up by humans to minimise damage to ecosystems and biodiversity
- breeding programmes
- recycle waste
- reduce level of deforestation
- reintroduce hedgerows and field margins around fields on farms
60
breeding programmes
- made to prevent endangered species become extinct
- bred in captivity (protected) to then be released back into wild to re-establish population
61
reintroduce hedge grows and field margins in fields
- in fields on farms where only one type of crop is grown
- provide a habitat for variety of organisms
62
field margins
areas around edges of fields where wild flowers and grasses left to grow
63
cons of protecting biodiversity
- costs a lot
- may impact local human livelihood
- conflict between protecting biodiversity and our food security
64
biodiversity: costs a lot
government pay farms a subsidy to reintroduce hedgegrows and field margins
65
biodiversity: may impact local human livelihood
reduce deforestation reduces jobs makes people unemployed and reduces local economy
66
biodiversity: conflict between protecting biodiversity and our food security
farmers kill organisms that can be pests to crops, this protects our crops and livestock and produces more food but affects the food chain and biodiversity
67
what resources do animals compete for to survive
- space (territory)
- food
- water
- mates
68
Seals are adapted to cope with extreme temperatures because they have a layer of __________. What one word completes the sentence?
fat
69
What is the main thing plants compete for in poor soil?
nutrients
70
True or false? The fur of a polar bear is an adaptation to help it survive extreme cold.
true
71
An extremophile lives in very concentrated brine pools. It is adapted to the extreme condition of high __________ concentration. What word completes the sentence?
salt
72
An __________ includes all living things and their interactions with the environment. What one word completes the sentence?
ecosystem
73
There is an extremophile that lives on the edges of hot volcanoes. The extreme condition it is adapted to is high __________. What word completes the sentence?
temperatures
74
True or false? Within a community, each species is independent when it comes to food, shelter and pollination.
false
75
Which of the following is NOT an adaptation in elephants that helps them cope with high temperatures?
tusks
76
Look at the image below. The Arctic fox's white fur helps it to be an efficient hunter. This is an example of the adaptation called __________.
camouflage
77
What does the cactus store in its stem that helps it to survive?
water
78
What is the term for the non-living parts of a community?
abiotic
79
The spines on a cactus help prevent it from being eaten and from losing what?
water
80
If there is limited space, what will organisms mainly compete for?
space
81
If species A is better at competing for a resource than species B, will the numbers of species B increase or decrease?
decrease
82
The acacia tree is covered in spikes. This is an __________ to protect it from herbivores. What one word completes the sentence?
adaptation
83
Camouflage helps prey animals to survive. What does it protect them from?
predators
84
If the available number of mates in an environment increased, would competition increase or decrease?
decrease
85
What is a feature that helps an organism to survive called?
adaptation
86
Is disease a biotic or an abiotic factor on a community?
biotic
87
Apart from territory and mates, name one other thing that animals mainly compete for.
food
88
If the available space in an environment decreased, would competition increase or decrease?
increase
89
In order to reproduce sexually, what do animals need to compete for?
mates
90
If the resources available in an environment were to decrease, would competition increase or decrease?
increase
91
Is oxygen level a biotic or an abiotic factor for aquatic mammals?
abiotic
92
The bright colours of the frog are an adaptation against what?
being eaten
93
In a shady forest, what do plants mainly compete for?
light
94
The frog is brightly coloured. Because of this, potential predators think it is what?
poisonous
95
Is temperature a biotic or an abiotic factor on a community?
abiotic
96
If one species is removed it can impact the whole community. This is called... what?
interdependence
97
Camouflage helps predators to survive by helping them blend in with their surroundings so their _________ won't see them approach. What one word completes the sentence?
prey
98
Tropical rainforests and ancient oak woodlands have population sizes that stay relatively constant. This means that they are... what?
stable communities
99
If a plant has large dark leaves, it is likely to be adapted to the condition of low __________. What one word completes the sentence?
light
100
The advantage to organisms of being able to live in extreme conditions is the lack of... what?
competition
101
True or false: Most organisms can decide to make an adaptation happen for themselves.
false
102
In a dry desert, what do plants mainly compete for?
water
103
Polar bears are dependent on ice that covers the sea for hunting seals and moving around. If we were to see a decrease in sea ice, would the numbers of polar bears increase, decrease or stay the same?
decrease
104
Aside from territory, food and water, what do horns on some male animals help them to compete for?
mates
105
What is the term for the living parts of an ecosystem?
biotic factors
106
If species A is better at competing for a resource than species B, will the numbers of species A increase or decrease?
increase
107
If food available for an organism in an environment were to decrease would competition increase or decrease?
increase
108
A cactus has spines instead of leaves. What effect does this have on its surface area?
decrease
109
Some species of seal are dependent on ice that covers the sea in order to give birth to their young. What is likely to happen to the number of these seals if the sea ice decreases? Would it increase, decrease or stay the same?
decrease
110
The availability of oxygen can affect living organisms. The availability of another gas also affects their distribution. What is this gas called? Give the name, not the formula.
carbon dioxide
111
The name given to the mass of living material in an organism or population is... what?
biomass
112
When using quadrats, what should you do to get an accurate estimate of the numbers of an organism?
create a grid and use random numbers to pick on which square of the grid to place your quadrat
113
Where do most plants get light from?
sun
114
Environments are sometimes sampled along a straight line. What is such a line called?
transect
115
What happens to the total biomass available as you move up a food chain? Does it increase, decrease or stay the same?
decreases
116
What is the missing word in this sentence? The biomass is greatest at the __________ level of a food chain.
bottom
117
Plants use carbon dioxide for __________. What one word completes the sentence?
photosynthesis
118
What is the name given to the square frame used for sampling organisms in an environment?
quadrat
119
What gas is removed from the atmosphere by plants and algae?
carbon dioxide
120
True or false? Biogas can be produced from animal waste.
true
121
Compost is used as a natural __________ for crops and garden plants. What word completes the sentence?
fertiliser
122
An experiment into decay was carried out at three different temperatures: 10°C, 15°C and 20°C. At which temperature would you expect the rate of decay to be fastest?
20
123
What type of living thing is the main organism involved in decay? (Hint: There is more than one possible answer. Give any one.)
microorganisms
124
Is biogas produced by aerobic or anaerobic fermentation?
anaerobic
125
Name the main useful gas in biogas.
methane
126
What term is used to describe decay that happens in the presence of oxygen?
aerobic
127
Gardeners and farmers try to provide the optimum conditions for waste organic matter to __________ so they can then use it as compost. What word completes the sentence?
decay
128
True or false? Decay happens fastest in the absence of oxygen.
false
129
Microorganisms digest waste material faster in conditions that are aerobic, moist and what else?
warm
130
Amir carried out an experiment into rates of decay. He used two pots of dead leaves. He added several woodlice to pot 1 and nothing to pot 2. In which of the pots would you expect the leaves to decay fastest?
pot 1
131
As well as bacteria, what other type of microorganism is often involved in decay?
fungi
132
What term is used to describe decay that happens when there is no oxygen present?
anaerobic
133
The natural process by which waste substances are broken down and materials are recycled is known as what?
decay
134
What is the scientific name for the process in which organic material is broken down by microorganisms?
decay
135
When animals and plants die, organisms cause the decay of their bodies. Name one of these types of organism.
microorganisms
136
Rachel has bought two types of tomatoes at the supermarket: fresh tomatoes and tinned tomatoes. Which will last for longer without decaying if kept in their original packaging?
tinned
137
A piece of steak contains microorganisms. What will happen to their reproduction rate if the steak is placed in a freezer?
it will slow down
138
Which method of handling waste has fewer negative effects on ecosystems?
recycling
139
Good levels of biodiversity are essential for which of the following?
stable ecosystem
140
What term is used for species that are at serious risk of extinction?
endangered
141
True or false? 'Biodiversity' refers to the variety of species on Earth.
true
142
True or false? Pesticides have a negative effect on biodiversity if they are washed into streams but fertilisers have a positive effect.
false
143
True or false? A lower level of biodiversity requires fewer interdependencies in a community.
false
144
What is likely to happen to the size of the habitats of endangered species as the human population increases?
decrease
145
Some programmes seek to increase biodiversity by protecting rare __________ like coral reefs and mangroves. What word completes the sentence?
habitats
146
Human activity has __________ biodiversity. Which word completes the sentence?
decreased
147
In an effort to increase biodiversity, some governments are reducing their deforestation and __________ __________ emissions. What two words complete the sentence?
greenhouse gas
148
True or false? Tropical rainforests tend to be naturally low in biodiversity.
false
149
What process carried out by microorganisms in the carbon cycle releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
respiration
150
What type of organism present in huge numbers indicates that eutrophication has taken place?
algae
151
Fill in the missing word. When the carbon dioxide from animal respiration is released it goes into the __________.
atmosphere
152
What is currently happening to the average standard of living of the global human population?
increasing
153
Name the pollutant gas that causes acid rain.
sulfur dioxide
154
If fertiliser is washed from farmland into a pond, what effect will it initially have on plant growth in the pond?
increase
155
Which of these options provides the best definition of the term "standard of living"?
level of material comfort that is available to meet our needs. This includes goods, services and luxuries.
156
Apart from microorganisms, what other organisms use the nutrients released by decay?
plants
157
In what state is carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
gas
158
What type of organisms are herbicides intended to kill?
weeds
159
If fertiliser is washed from farmland into a pond, what effect will it have on oxygen levels in the pond in the long term?
decrease
160
What name is given to chemicals used to kill insect pests?
pesticides
161
What is currently happening to the size of the world's human population?
increasing
162
During photosynthesis, what does carbon dioxide react with to make carbohydrate?
water
163
True or false? The effects of acid rain may be seen thousands of miles away from the industry that caused it.
true
164
Carbon gets transferred from plants to animals when the plants are __________ by animals. What one word completes the sentence.
eaten
165
As well as oxygen levels and rainfall, what other non-living indicator can give a good indication of changes in the environment?
temperature
166
In the water cycle what is the name given to the process of water falling from clouds?
rain
167
Is the human population of the Earth increasing or decreasing?
increasing
168
What is currently happening to the amount of waste produced by the world's human population?
increasing
169
Name a process that releases water from plants back into the atmosphere.
transpiration
170
What is the constant cycling of carbon between living organisms and their environment called?
carbon cycle
171
Sewage was accidentally released into a river. What would you expect to happen to the oxygen levels in the water?
decrease
172
Apart from dead organisms, what process returns carbon from living animals to the cycle?
respiration
