Ecosystems

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Question 2

True or False: Ecosystems only include living organisms.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The two main components of an ecosystem are __________ and __________.

Answer 3

biotic factors, abiotic factors

Question 4

What are biotic factors?

Answer 4

Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Question 5

What are abiotic factors?

Answer 5

Abiotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, and temperature.

Question 6

What is biodiversity?

Answer 6

Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species within an ecosystem.

Question 7

True or False: Higher biodiversity generally leads to more stable ecosystems.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What is a food chain?

Answer 8

A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another.

Question 9

What is a food web?

Answer 9

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem.

Question 10

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Answer 10

Producers, such as plants, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

Question 11

What are consumers?

Answer 11

Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms.

Question 12

What is a primary consumer?

Answer 12

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers, typically herbivores.

Question 13

What is a secondary consumer?

Answer 13

A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers, typically carnivores.

Question 14

What is a decomposer?

Answer 14

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: The process by which plants use sunlight to make food is called __________.

Answer 15

photosynthesis

Question 16

What is the significance of the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems?

Answer 16

The nitrogen cycle is essential for converting nitrogen into forms that plants can use for growth.

Question 17

True or False: Energy is recycled in ecosystems.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

What is carrying capacity?

Answer 18

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

Question 19

What are limiting factors?

Answer 19

Limiting factors are environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of a population.

Question 20

What is ecological succession?

Answer 20

Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time.

Question 21

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

Answer 21

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas, while secondary succession occurs in areas where an ecosystem has been disturbed.

Question 22

What is an invasive species?

Answer 22

An invasive species is a non-native species that spreads rapidly in a new environment and disrupts local ecosystems.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: __________ are organisms that can produce their own food.

Answer 23

Autotrophs

Question 24

What is a trophic level?

Answer 24

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, including producers, primary consumers, and higher-level consumers.

Question 25

What does the term 'energy pyramid' refer to?

Answer 25

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation showing the energy available at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Question 26

What is a biome?

Answer 26

A biome is a large geographical area that is characterized by specific climate conditions and distinct plant and animal communities.

Question 27

Name one example of a terrestrial biome.

Answer 27

Desert, forest, grassland, tundra

Question 28

What is an aquatic biome?

Answer 28

An aquatic biome is a biome that consists of water environments, including freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Question 29

True or False: All ecosystems have the same structure and function.

Answer 29

False

Question 30

What is the role of keystone species?

Answer 30

Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: __________ is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Answer 31

Ecology

Question 32

What is a habitat?

Answer 32

A habitat is the natural environment in which a species lives and thrives.

Question 33

What is a niche?

Answer 33

A niche is the role or function of an organism within its ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other species.

Question 34

What is the significance of pollinators in ecosystems?

Answer 34

Pollinators are crucial for the reproduction of many plants, which in turn supports the entire food web.

Question 35

Name one human activity that can negatively impact ecosystems.

Answer 35

Deforestation, pollution, urbanization

Question 36

What is conservation?

Answer 36

Conservation is the practice of protecting and managing natural resources and biodiversity.

Question 37

True or False: Climate change can affect ecosystems.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 38

The greenhouse effect is the warming of the Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Question 39

What is sustainability in the context of ecosystems?

Answer 39

Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain ecological balance and resource availability for future generations.

Question 40

What is an ecological footprint?

Answer 40

An ecological footprint measures the environmental impact of an individual or population in terms of resource consumption and waste generation.