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Biology > Ecology and Genetics > Flashcards

Ecology and Genetics Flashcards

1
Q

What are the levels of organisation of an ecosystem?

A

Individual organism, population, community, ecosystem

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2
Q

What is a population?

A

A group of individuals of the same species living together

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3
Q

What is a community?

A

All the living organisms in a habitat

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4
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

The interaction of a community with the non-living parts of their environment

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5
Q

What is an abiotic factor?

A

A non-living factor affecting a community

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6
Q

Give seven examples of abiotic factors

A

Light intensity, temperature, moisture levels, soil pH, wind strength/direction, carbon dioxide levels (plants), oxygen levels (aquatic animals)

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7
Q

What is a biotic factor?

A

A living factor affecting a community

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8
Q

Give four examples of biotic factors

A

Food availability, new predators, new pathogens??, competition between species

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9
Q

What is interdependence?

A

Each species in a community depends on another for survival

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10
Q

Give four examples of interdependence

A

One species depends on another for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal

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11
Q

What is a stable community?

A

Where all species and abiotic factors are in balance, population sizes remain fairly constant

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12
Q

In a stable community, what happens to the population size of predators and prey?

A

They rise and fall in cycles

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13
Q

What are extremophiles?

A

Organisms living in very extreme environments

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14
Q

Give three examples of extreme environments.

A

High temperature, high pressure, high salt concentration

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15
Q

Give one example of an extremophile

A

Bacteria living in deep sea vents

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16
Q

How can population sizes and distributions be measured?

A

Using transects and quadrats

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17
Q

What is a line transect?

A

A line marked with a measuring tape which can be sampled at regular intervals

18
Q

How can quadrats be used to estimate the number of organisms in an area?

A

They allow the numbers of organisms in a small sample of an area to be counted

19
Q

What is variation?

A

Differences in characteristics of individuals in a population/species?

20
Q

What factors can cause variation?

A

Genetic causes, environmental causes or a combination of both

21
Q

What are genes?

A

Instructions for cells

22
Q

What are genes made of?

A

DNA

23
Q

How are genes passed on?

A

From parent to offspring through reproduction

24
Q

What are genetic causes of variation?

A

The genes an individual inherits

25
Q

What are environmental causes of variation?

A

The conditions in which an individual develops

26
Q

What are mutations?

A

Changes in the DNA code

27
Q

When do mutations occur?

A

All the time/whenever a cell divides

28
Q

What causes genetic variation?

A

Mutations

29
Q

How many mutations affect the characteristics of an individual?

A

Very few

30
Q

What is biodiversity?

A

The variety of species of organisms in an ecosystem or on Earth

31
Q

How does a high biodiversity help ensure stability of ecosystems?

A

Reduces the dependence of one species on another

32
Q

What is the effect of decreased biodiversity on humans?

A

Decreased biodiversity threatens the existence of humans

33
Q

What causes water pollution?

A

Sewage, fertiliser, toxic chemicals

34
Q

What causes air pollution?

A

Smoke, acidic gases

35
Q

What causes land pollution?

A

Landfill waste, toxic chemicals

36
Q

What is the effect of pollution on plants and animals?

A

Can kill plants and animals and reduce biodiversity

37
Q

Why do humans engage in large-scale deforestation?

A

To provide land for cattle, rice fields or biofuel crops

38
Q

What is the main consequence of deforestation?

A

Reduction in biodiversity

39
Q

What gases contribute to global warming?

A

Increasing carbon dioxide and methane

40
Q

What are the main biological consequences of global warming?

A

Loss of habitats through flooding, reduction in biodiversity

Biology (7 decks)

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