natural systems

Question 1

renewable energy

Answer 1

energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed

Question 2

sustainable development

Answer 2

development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Question 3

biotic

Answer 3

living organisms

Question 4

abiotic

Answer 4

non living features in an environment

Question 5

organisms

Answer 5

individual living things

Question 6

species

Answer 6

a group of organisms of the same type, capable of interbreeding

Question 7

population

Answer 7

group of organisms of the same species living together in one area

Question 8

community

Answer 8

number of populations of different species living together in a particular environment

Question 9

habitat

Answer 9

specific place within an ecosystem that is occupied by and organisms or population

Question 10

atmosphere

Answer 10

a gaseous envelope of air surrounding the earth

Question 11

hydrosphere

Answer 11

all water on the earth, including vapour, oceans and ice caps

Question 12

lithosphere

Answer 12

the soil and rocky crust of the earth and core of molten rock

Question 13

water cycle

Answer 13

• Plants absorb water from soil and use it during photosynthesis
• Excess water is released back into atmosphere via transpiration
• animals release water into atmosphere
• precipitation(rain, hail, snow)

Question 14

food chain

Answer 14

the order of events in an ecosystem, where one living organisms eats another organisms and later that organisms in consumed by another larger organism

Question 15

food web

Answer 15

all of the food chains in an ecosystem

Question 16

decomposers

Answer 16

breakdown organic material and use the decomposition products to supply themselves with energy

Question 17

producers

Answer 17

autotrophs manufacture complex inorganic substances, using the energy of sunlight

Question 18

consumers

Answer 18

heterotrophs, use the bodies of other organisms as a source of food energy

Question 19

Short term change - day to night

Answer 19

once the sunsets the temperature decreases and this leads to changes in speed and direction of wind

Question 20

nocturnal

Answer 20

active at night

Question 21

diurnal

Answer 21

active during day

Question 22

short term changes - seasons

Answer 22

movement of people across a landscape often is dictated by seasonal changes
natural changes can be used to people advantages
different seasons attract different flora and fauna

Question 23

short term changes - tides

Answer 23

The rise and fall of the sea levels are caused by the combined effects of gravitational forces exerted by moon and sun and the rotation of the earth

most costal zones have 2 high and 2 low tides

Question 24

short term changes - flood

Answer 24

floods is a natural part of the water cycle
many flood management strategies have negative effect on the environment
flooding can be essential to reproductive cycle of plants

Question 25

short term changes - drought

Answer 25

prolonged abnormal dry period when the amount of available water is insufficient to meet normal use
impacts economy and agriculture production

Question 26

long term changes - migration

Answer 26

occurs when species move from one location to another in response to changes in habitat
patterns are linked to climate and food availability

Question 27

long term changes - succession

Answer 27

the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time

Question 28

primary succession

Answer 28

when a community is established where it has never been before

Question 29

secondary succession

Answer 29

when a community that develops over time is similar to original community

Question 30

long term changes - climate change

Answer 30

there is an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, a small change in temperature can result in climate change