Ecosystems

Question 1

Define ecosystem

Answer 1

A natural network of interdependent biotic (living like plants and animals)** and abiotic** (non-living like climate and soil) components

Question 2

Define abiotic

Answer 2

Non-living

Question 3

Define Biotic

Answer 3

Living organisms

Question 4

Define local ecosystem

Answer 4

A small-scale network of interdependant biotic and abiotic components (e.g pond, tree, hedge)

Question 5

Define biome

Answer 5

A large-scale ecosystem (e.g Tropical Rainforest, Tundra)

Question 6

Name 3 biotic components of an ecosystem

Answer 6

Plants
Animals
Insects

Question 7

Name 4 abiotic components of an ecosystem

Answer 7

Climate
Geology
Water
Amount of sunlight

Question 8

Where does all the energy in an ecosystem originate?

Answer 8

The sun

Question 9

What is the name for the process in which plants convert the sun’s energy into food?

Answer 9

Photosynthesis

Question 10

Define producers

Answer 10

Plants that convert the sun’s energy into food by photosynthesis
They always start a food chain

Question 11

What do primary consumers eat?

Answer 11

Producers

Question 12

What do secondary consumers eat?

Answer 12

Primary consumers

Question 13

What do tertiary consumers eat?
And where in the food chain can they typically be found?

Answer 13

Eat both primary and secondary consumers
Usually found at the top of the food chain

Question 14

Define top predator

Answer 14

The animal at the top of the food chain

Question 15

Define decomposer

Answer 15

Fungi and bacteria that break down dead organic matter

Question 16

What is the name for an animal that eats only plants?

Answer 16

Herbivore

Question 17

What is the name for an animal that eats only animals?

Answer 17

Carnivore

Question 18

What is the name for an animal that eats both plants and animals?

Answer 18

Omnivore

Question 19

What does the direction of an arrow in a food chain refer to?

Answer 19

The direction the energy is travelling

Question 20

What is a food chain?

Answer 20

A simple, linear series of links between predators and prey showing the transfer of energy through an ecosystem

Question 21

What is a food web?

Answer 21

A complex collection of interconnected food chains showing the transfer of energy through an ecosytem

Question 22

Describe the nutrient cycle

Answer 22

During the Autumn, the leaves of deciduous trees fall off.
The leaves will die and be decomposed by bacteria and fungi.
The nutrients from the leaves will be returned to the soil.
The roots of trees and other plants will then take the nutrients back up.
This process repeats.

Question 23

How much rainfall does a desert receive annually?

Answer 23

Less than 250mm of rainfall a year

Question 24

Name the largest desert on Earth

Answer 24

Antarctica

Question 25

Name the largest hot desert on Earth

Answer 25

The Sahara

Question 26

Define Biodiversity

Answer 26

variety of plant and animal species within an ecosystem

Question 27

Name 3 things on which the level of biodiversity depends

Answer 27

Climate Available habitats Food sources

Question 28

Interdependence

Answer 28

changes in one component can have significant impacts on other parts of the ecosystem

Question 29

Feeding interactions can be shown between biotic components by which two things?

Answer 29

Food chains Food webs

Question 30

Name the 4 main trophic levels in order

Answer 30

Producers Primary Consumers Secondary Consumers Tertiary Consumers

Question 31

What is the main purpose of decomposers? (bacteria and fungi)

Answer 31

Break down dead organic matter to release energy and return nutrients back into the soil

Question 32

What is a stable ecosystem?

Answer 32

A natural system where all biotic and abiotic components are in balance so that populations remain constant

Question 33

Name 5 factors affecting biome distribution

Answer 33

Latitude Precipitation Altitude Continentality Ocean currents

Question 34

How does latitude affect biome distribution?

Answer 34

With distance from the equator, temp and sunshine hours decrease

Question 35

Define latitude

Answer 35

Measure of distance north or south of the equator They run east to west, parallel to the equator

Question 36

How does precipitation affect biome distribution?

Answer 36

Areas of high pressure experience low rainfall Low pressure - High rainfall

Question 37

How does altitude affect biome distribution?

Answer 37

Increases in altitude lead to decreases in temperature

Question 38

How does continentality affect biome distribution?

Answer 38

Locations further inland heat up more quickly in the summer and cool more quickly in the winter

Question 39

How do ocean currents affect biome distribution?

Answer 39

Warm and cold currents circulate in the oceans, either warming or cooling adjacent land