Ecology (seneca) Flashcards
(197 cards)
1
Q
An ecosystem is made up of …
A
living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts. In an ecosystem, there are different levels of organisation.
2
Q
———- are the smallest part of an ecosystem.
A
Individual organisms
3
Q
Populations of individual organisms make up a …
A
single species.
4
Q
An ecosystem is made up of living organisms (——) and non-living (abiotic) parts.
A
biotic
5
Q
An ecosystem is made up of living organisms (biotic) and non-living (———) parts.
A
abiotic
6
Q
Animals often compete for …
A
food, mates and territory.
7
Q
Plants often compete for…
A
water and mineral ions (minerals) from the soil, as well as for light and space.
8
Q
what are populations?
A
Groups of individual organisms that make up single species
9
Q
what are Individuals?
A
The smallest part of an ecosystem
10
Q
what are Communities?
A
These are made up of populations of different species
11
Q
There is interdependence between different species. This means that one species may rely on another species for different things, such as:
A
- A species may depend on another for food.
- A species may depend on another to spread its seeds.
- A species may depend on another for pollination (transfer of pollen).
- A species may depend on another for shelter.
12
Q
A community is stable when:
A
- species are balanced
- the environment is balanced
- population numbers are constant
13
Q
When a community is stable, the populations within it are:
A
fairly constant
14
Q
Food chains show the …
A
feeding relationships within a community
15
Q
Food chains nearly always begin with a …
A
producer that makes its own food.
16
Q
Producers are eaten by …
A
animals called primary consumers.
17
Q
Primary consumers are eaten by …
A
secondary consumers.
18
Q
Secondary consumers are eaten by …
A
tertiary consumers.
19
Q
An apex predator is …
A
at the top of the food chain.
20
Q
Predator-prey graphs show the …
A
cyclical nature of predator and prey populations in stable communities.
21
Q
Environmental change affects the …
A
distribution (spread) of species, and in extreme cases, their longevity (how long they survive).
22
Q
Polar bears hunt seals on floating sea ice.
Increasing temperatures cause …
A
this ice to melt. This means that the polar bears are no longer able to hunt their main food source.
23
Q
Carbon dioxide dissolves in water and increases …
A
the water acidity.
24
Q
Carbon dioxide dissolves in water and increases the water acidity.
Acidic water hinders …
A
corals’ ability to build a skeleton. This means that the increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevents coral growth.
25
Wildebeests migrate annually from the ...
Serengeti plains of Tanzania Northwards into Kenya to track seasonal changes in rainfall patterns.
26
Environmental changes can come about for many different reasons, including:
- Geological activity
- Seasons
- Humans
27
give examples of geological activity:
- Volcanic eruptions change the composition of atmospheric gases.
_ Storms and droughts change the availability of water.
28
give examples of Seasons activity:
- Many countries have rainy and dry seasons.
- The difference in temperature between winter and summer drives birds on worldwide migrations.
29
give examples of Humans activity:
- Through the burning of fossil fuels, humans increase the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases.
- People can change water availability through the building of large dams. The pollution of water sources can make them toxic to wildlife.
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Environmental changes affect ...
species, their distribution and, in extreme cases, their longevity.
31
Volcanic eruptions change the ...
composition of atmospheric gases.
32
Many countries have rainy and dry seasons.
The difference in temperature between winter and summer drives ...
birds on worldwide migrations.
33
Examples of Environmental Changes That Affect Species:
- water
- atmospheric gases
- temperature
34
People can change ------- availability through the building of large dams, and pollution of water sources can make them toxic to wildlife.
water
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People can change water availability through the ...
building of large dams, and pollution of water sources can make them toxic to wildlife.
36
Experimental tools for looking at ecosystems and their populations include:
- Transects
- Quadrats
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Quadrats are ...
square frames that can be used to estimate population sizes.
38
Transects can be used to ...
investigate the effect of a factor on the distribution of a species.
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A transect line is a ...
piece of tape that is stretched across the habitat of interest.
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Quadrats are placed at ...
regular intervals along the transect line.
41
The median is the...
middle value in a numerically ordered series.
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The mode is the ...
most common value in a series.
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population =
number counted x (total survey area / area sampled)
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Area of n quadrats =
number of quadrats × length of quadrat × width of quadrat
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The recycling (using again) of materials is essential as they ...
provide the building blocks for future organisms.
46
The recycling (using again) of materials is essential as they provide the building blocks for future organisms. Two cycles that are particularly important for living organisms are:
- The carbon cycle
- The water cycle
47
---------- is present in all living organisms.
Carbon
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When organisms die, the carbon is recycled so that it can be ...
used by future generations.
49
describe the carbon cycle:
Carbon is present in all living organisms.
When organisms die, the carbon is recycled so that it can be used by future generations.
50
The water cycle describes how ...
water moves on, above or just below the surface of our planet between different locations, such as rivers, oceans and the atmosphere.
51
In order for the water cycle to be completed, water has to ...
change state.
52
When animals and plants die, decomposers return the ...
carbon locked in their bodies back to the atmosphere via decay.
53
------- of fossil fuels is another source of carbon entry into the atmosphere.
Combustion
54
When water vapour cools and condenses in the atmosphere, what two forms can it take?
- rain
- snow
55
Water evaporates from the Earth’s surface, before rising up into the atmosphere. Once in the atmosphere, the water vapour ...
cools and condenses into either rain or snow, which eventually returns to the Earth’s surface.
56
Biological material in the form of ------------------ decays as a result of the activity of decomposers.
waste products or dead organisms
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The rate of the decay process is dependent on:
- Moisture availability
- Oxygen availability
- Temperature
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For the decay process, ------- moisture availability is usually best.
High
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For the decay process, ---------oxygen availability is usually best.
High
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For the decay process, ------ temperature is usually best.
High
61
Anaerobic decay happens when the ...
oxygen supply is insufficient (not enough), and results in the production of biogas, which is mainly methane.
62
Biogas generators produce ----------------- . It can also be used to produce slurry which can also be used as a fertiliser.
methane gas, which is used as a fuel
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Biogas generators produce methane gas, which is used as a fuel. It can also be used to produce...
slurry which can also be used as a fertiliser.
64
Biogas generators produce methane gas, which is used as a fuel. It can also be used to produce slurry which can also be used as a fertiliser.
It is crucial that...
temperatures are maintained at a suitable level and that oxygen is not allowed to enter the site of fermentation.
65
Can you suggest potential ways to make sure that the temperatures in biogas generators stay at a suitable level?
- Bury the generators underground.
- Cover them in insulating jackets.
66
Which gas do biogas generators produce that can be used as a fuel or slurry?
methane
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Biogas generators are devices that can produce methane gas as a fuel for purposes such as ...
cooking, heating or refrigeration
68
Biogas generators are devices that can produce methane gas as a fuel for purposes such as cooking, heating or refrigeration. The inputs depend on the ...
scale of the generator
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Large-scale generators take ...
waste from sugar factories or sewage works.
70
Small-scale generators are used by ...
households and farms.
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Small-scale generators are used by households and farms.
Typical inputs include ...
egested (excreted) material from humans and animals, as well as farm and garden waste.
72
Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of -------------- by measuring pH change.
decay of fresh milk
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Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring ...
pH change.
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The effect of ---------------- on the rate of decay can be observed using milk.
temperature
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As milk takes a long time to decay, lipase and sodium carbonate are added to ...
speed up the decay.
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As milk takes a long time to decay, ----------------------- carbonate are added to speed up the decay.
lipase and sodium
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As milk decays, its pH -------------. This can be observed with an indicator called Cresol red.
reduces
77
As milk decays, its pH reduces. This can be observed with an indicator called ...
Cresol red.
78
describe the Practical of Temperature & Milk Decay.
- Use a water bath to heat all of the components to a given temperature.
-Mix the milk, sodium carbonate and Cresol red. The resulting solution should be purple.
- Add lipase to the solution and start timing.
- When the solution turns yellow, stop timing.
- Repeat using different temperatures.
79
what is the independent variable for milk decay?
The independent variable is the temperature.
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what is the dependent variable for milk decay?
The dependent variable is the time taken for the solution to turn yellow.
81
Which substances can be added to speed up the decay of milk?
- lipase
- sodium carbonate
82
Which word best describes the nature of predator-prey dynamics in stable communities?
cyclic
83
By consuming plant matter, animals obtain ------ compounds.
carbon
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Carbon is removed from the atmosphere by producers (e.g. algae) who use it in
respiration ...
photosynthesis.
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Carbon is returned into the atmosphere (as carbon dioxide) because of the
------------ that happens in plant and animal cells.
respiration
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When animals and plants die, decomposers return the carbon locked in their bodies back to the atmosphere via
...
decay
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Food stored in warm, moist places will decay ---------- than food stored in cool, dry places.
faster
88
What can slurry be used as?
fetiliser
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What do decomposers secrete to break down organic matter?
Enzymes
90
Causation is when ...
a change in one factor is the reason for a change in another factor. It is much more difficult to demonstrate than correlation.
91
Correlation is a ...
relationship or connection between things. For example, there in this case study there is a correlation between the use of artificial fertilisers and a decrease in trout population size.
92
How could a study be improved to increase confidence in the results?
- Increasing the sample size
- Include a control experiment
93
If the temperature was increased, the rate of decomposition would increase.
This is because ...
the enzyme activity is increased, so rates of reactions increase.
94
When organic material decays, it releases ...
nutrients into the soil, which are used by plants.
95
A gardener sees that his chilli plants have stunted growth.
He adds compost to the soil, but after several weeks the plants have not increased in size.What might be the reasons for this?
- Soil is deficient in a mineral or nutrient not in fertiliser
- the plant may have a disease
- another factor is a limiting factor
96
Biodiversity is the ...
variety of all the different species in a given space. Sufficient biodiversity is important for the future of humans.
97
An awareness of the detrimental nature of these activities has existed for several decades.However, because of the --------------- , the warning signs have largely been ignored.
pursuit of economic gain
98
-------- have recently begun to change and measures are being taken to prevent further damage being done and to regain pre-existing biodiversity.
Attitudes
99
For some time, and especially since the industrial revolution, humans have conducted many activities that have caused a ---------- in biodiversity on a global scale.
severe decline
100
The human population has rapidly expanded in recent decades. Resource use has increased accordingly. This has led to to huge amounts of industrial waste and pollution, which is affecting:
- Land
- Air
- Water
101
Toxic herbicides and pesticides used in ----------------------- are all land pollutants.
farming, buried nuclear waste and household waste in landfill sites
102
--------------------- used in farming, buried nuclear waste and household waste in landfill sites are all land pollutants.
Toxic herbicides and pesticides
103
Smoke and gases are being added into the atmosphere constantly, particularly by ...
power stations and cars.
104
------------------ are being added into the atmosphere constantly, particularly by power stations and cars.
Smoke and gases
105
-------------------------------- , which are produced by industrial practices, as well as excess fertiliser from agriculture, all find their way into the Earth’s water sources.
Sewage and toxic chemicals
106
Sewage and toxic chemicals, which are produced by ------------------------------------ , all find their way into the Earth’s water sources.
industrial practices, as well as excess fertiliser from agriculture
107
The human population has rapidly expanded in recent decades. ------------ use has increased accordingly, leading to huge amounts of industrial waste and pollution.
Resource
108
Peat is a ...
deposit of partially decayed plant matter, which accumulates in bogs.
109
Peat is a deposit of partially decayed plant matter, which accumulates in bogs.
Here, carbon ...
remains in the plants instead of being released into the atmosphere.
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The destruction of peat bogs has become more common, resulting in ...
the burning or decay of peat.
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The destruction of peat bogs has become more common, resulting in the burning or decay of peat.
This releases ...
the stored carbon into the atmosphere in the form of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide.
111
Another negative impact of peat bog destruction is the ...
loss of biodiversity within the habitat.
112
Peat bogs are being destroyed for the following reasons:
- To free up land for farming, which requires the bogs to be drained. This draining process stimulates peat decay.
- To burn the peat for fuel.
- To sell the peat to gardeners as garden compost.
113
Peat demand can be reduced by gardeners using ...
peat-free compost, such as manure or bark chippings.
114
What are the negative impacts of peat bog destruction?
- Release of carbon dioxide
- Loss of biodiversity
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what are reasons for peat bog destruction?
- Burn the peat for fuel
- sell the peat to gardeners as compost
- free up land for farming
116
Forests are often chopped down to be replaced by agriculture, with the purpose of growing rice or farming cattle.
These activities produce ----------, which is a greenhouse gas.
methane
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Deforestation destroys habitats. This causes ------------- to be lost.
biodiversity
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Deforestation causes a loss of ecosystem services provided by forests, such as ...
erosion prevention, flood control and food provision.
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The burning of trees and decomposition of wood increases the rate of ...
carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.
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The burning of trees and decomposition of wood increases the rate of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.
As less photosynthesis is taking place, ...
less carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere.
121
Deforestation results in the loss of the following ecosystem services:
- Erosion prevention
- Flood control
- Food provision
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Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere naturally by ...
green plants and algae during photosynthesis.
123
Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere naturally by green plants and algae during photosynthesis.
Other natural stores of carbon include ...
bodies of water and peat bogs.
124
How is carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere?
- burning of fossil fuels
- respiration
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How is carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere?
- Photosynthesis
- Dissolving in water
- Absorbing into peat bogs
126
What is Re-radiating?
This happens to some of the heat energy that reaches the Earth.
127
The consequences of global warming include:
- altered migration patterns
- Extreme meteorological events
- Ocean acidification
- Reduction of biodiversity
- Sea surface temperatures
- Distribution of species
- melting of ice
128
Increased acidification (becoming more acidic) of the oceans is making it harder for ...
corals to build their skeletons.
129
The rate at which the climate is changing makes rapid adaptation key to avoiding extinction.
This is particularly challenging for ...
large-bodied animals that typically have longer generation times.
130
Rising sea surface temperatures are causing ...
bleaching of sensitive corals.
131
Programmes have been established by scientists and governments that attempt to mitigate (soften) the negative impact of humans on ecosystems and biodiversity:
- Rare and threatened habitats
- Recycling waste
- Incentivising farmers
- Breeding programmes
- Government-imposed targets
132
what are negative consequences of deforestation?
-The burning of trees and decomposition of wood increases the rate of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.
- As less photosynthesis is taking place, less carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere.
- Deforestation destroys habitats.
- This causes biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services to be lost.
- Forests are often chopped down to be replaced by agriculture, with the purpose of growing rice or farming cattle.
- These activities produce methane, which is a greenhouse gas.
133
Some species may depend on each other for pollination or seed dispersal. This is known as ...
interdependence.
134
Give the name of the revolution that resulted in the initial spike in human activities that were detrimental to biodiversity?
Industrial revolution
135
What is made when sulfur dioxide dissolves in moisture in the air?
acid rain
136
Complete the following about programmes that help maintain biodiversity:
- Breeding programmes for endangered species can be important for preventing extinction events.
- Efforts are being made into the protection and regeneration of rare and threatened habitats.
- Farmers are being incentivised to maintain field margins and hedgerows, as these habitats can support biodiversity.
- Recycling slows down the expansion of landfill sites and reduces the need to extract new natural resources.
137
Food chains show ...
feeding relationships and energy flows within a biological community.
138
An organism’s trophic level describes ----------------------------. Trophic levels are given numbers.
where it fits into a food chain
139
Trophic levels are given numbers:
- level 1
- level 2
- level 3
- level 4
140
Describe level 1 of the food chain.
At the base of all food chains, there are green plants and algae.
These are called producers and use light energy from the Sun to synthesise (make) their own food.
141
Describe level 2 of the food chain.
Herbivores that eat green plants and/or algae are called primary consumers.
142
Describe level 3 of the food chain.
Carnivores that eat herbivores are called secondary consumers.
143
Describe level 4 of the food chain.
Carnivores that eat other carnivores are called tertiary consumers.
An apex predator is at the highest point in the food chain.
144
Food chains are made up of:
- Predators
- Prey
- Apex predators
- Decomposers
145
A predator is a ...
consumer that eats other animals.
146
Prey are ...
the animals that predators eat.
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Decomposers, such as --------------------- , are responsible for recycling organic matter within an ecosystem.
bacteria and fungi
148
Herbivores that eat ------------------ are called primary consumers.
green plants and/or algae
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Biomass is the...
total mass of living material in an organism multiplied by the number of organisms.
150
A pyramid of biomass can be constructed to represent the ...
relative amount of biomass at each trophic level in a food chain.
151
Energy is wasted at each trophic level in a food chain, meaning...
less biomass and energy is passed on to the next organism in the food chain.
152
Producers only manage to trap approximately --% of light energy from the sun.
1%
153
A general rule for transfer efficiency between all trophic levels is that ----% of energy from a given trophic level will be available to the next trophic level.
10%
154
Energy is wasted at each trophic level in a food chain, meaning less biomass and energy is passed on to the next organism in the food chain.
This progressive loss of energy usually means that there are ------- individuals at higher trophic levels.
fewer
155
Large quantities of --------- are used in respiration to produce energy.
glucose
156
arge quantities of glucose are used in respiration to produce energy. Highly mobile animals require ...
a lot of energy to sustain their movement.
157
Large quantities of glucose are used in respiration to produce energy.
Highly mobile animals require a lot of energy to sustain their movement.
This comes at the cost of ...
having less energy available for growth.
158
Warm-blooded animals need to expend ...
energy to maintain a suitable body temperature
159
At each trophic level in a food chain, energy is wasted. If there was no wastage, all of the energy that entered a trophic level would be used for growth. There are several reasons why this is not the reality:
- Movement
- Body temperature
- Excretion
- Digestion
160
Which trophic level tends to contain the most biomass?
level 1
161
Food security will be achieved when the ...
whole global human population has access to enough safe and nutritious food to stay healthy.
162
Food security will be achieved when the whole global human population has access to enough safe and nutritious food to stay healthy. Currently, the most pressing obstacles to this goal are:
- New pests and pathogens
- Diet shifts
- Extreme meteorological events
- Conflicts
- Birth rates
- Costs of agricultural inputs
163
Agricultural inputs, such as fertiliser, are essential for ensuring that food is produced at sufficient yields.
Their increasing price means farmers can ...
afford less and yields suffer.
164
------------ often result in reduced accessibility to food and water.
Conflicts
165
Diet shifts in developed countries are resulting in the accumulation of a massive quantity of food miles.
This is because food is ...
transported across the world in order to meet demands.
166
------------------------------- can reduce farming yields.
New pests and pathogens
167
Biotechnology is the use of biological processes to develop or make products. Modern biotechnology techniques include:
- Growing microorganisms for food
- Genetic modification
168
Genetically modified crops have the potential to provide ...
more food, including more nutritious food.
169
Mycoprotein is a food source that is ...
- high in protein and fibre,
- low in fat
- suitable for vegetarians.
170
----------- is a food source that is high in protein and fibre, low in fat and suitable for vegetarians.
Mycoprotein
171
Mycoprotein is a food source that is high in protein and fibre, low in fat and suitable for vegetarians.
It is produced by growing the ----------------- in vats called fermenters under aerobic conditions and using glucose syrup as a food source.
fungus Fusarium
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Mycoprotein is a food source that is high in protein and fibre, low in fat and suitable for vegetarians.
It is produced by growing the fungus Fusarium in vats called ------- under aerobic conditions and using glucose syrup as a food source.
fermenters
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Mycoprotein is a food source that is high in protein and fibre, low in fat and suitable for vegetarians.
It is produced by growing the fungus Fusarium in vats called fermenters under ------------ conditions and using glucose syrup as a food source.
aerobic
174
Mycoprotein is a food source that is high in protein and fibre, low in fat and suitable for vegetarians.
It is produced by growing the fungus Fusarium in vats called fermenters under aerobic conditions and using --------------- as a food source.
glucose syrup
175
Genetically modified crops have the potential to provide more food, including more nutritious food.
Golden rice, for example, is genetically modified to contain a molecule that helps make ...
vitamin A.
176
Genetically modified crops have the potential to provide more food, including more nutritious food.
------------ , for example, is genetically modified to contain a molecule that helps make vitamin A.
Golden rice
177
To ensure global food security is achieved, it is essential that the efficiency of food production is improved:
- Livestock
- High protein foods
- Food chains
178
Energy will always be transferred from livestock to the environment due to essential processes, like …
moving or maintaining body temperature.
179
Energy will always be transferred from livestock to the environment due to essential processes, like moving or maintaining body temperature.
Limiting the amount of …
energy wasted in this way helps improve food production efficiency.
180
Feeding animals foods that are ————- helps boost their growth rates.
high in protein
181
Only about 10% of energy passes from each trophic level to the next.
Therefore, ———- food chains will greatly increase efficiency.
shortening
182
Overfishing has led to the drastic decline of many fish stocks across the globe (e.g. the Atlantic cod). Declining fish stocks means that:
- Populations at risk
- fishermen have financial struggle
- Food security is threatened
- Food chains are affected
183
Sustainable fishing of the oceans means that fish are not caught at a faster rate than they can reproduce. This is achieved by:
- Fishing quotas
- controlling net size
184
Controlling the net (holes) size allows …
the smaller, younger fish to slip through the net so that they can survive at least until maturity.
185
Fishing is sustainable if fish …
are not caught at a faster rate than they can reproduce.
186
How do high protein foods benefit animals?
Boost growth rates
187
Enzymes partly digest the organic matter, producing small and soluble food molecules. These molecules then ———— into the decomposer.
diffuse
188
What fungus is grown to produce Mycoprotein?
Fusarium
189
What has led to the drastic decline of many fish stocks across the globe?
Overfishing
190
What is phototropism?
A plants response to light
191
What is gravitropism?
A plants response to gravity
192
What is a tropism?
a growth in response to a stimulus
193
What is a positive tropism?
A growth towards a stimulus
194
What is a negative tropism?
A growth away from a stimulus
195
What is hydrotropism?
A growth in response to water.
