Part 3 A Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is the definition of ecology?
Ecology is the study of relationships between organisms and their environment.
What factors are included in the environment of any organism?
Both biotic and abiotic factors.
What are ecologists concerned with?
How organisms affect and how they are affected by their environment.
What is the primary role of autotrophs?
To use photosynthesis or chemosynthesis to convert energy into a usable form.
Give an example of an autotroph.
- Trees
- Algae
What are heterotrophs known as?
Consumers.
What do heterotrophs need for energy?
They must feed on producers or other heterotrophs.
Give an example of a heterotroph.
- Deer
- Dogs
What is a food chain?
A passage of energy from one organism to another.
What is a trophic level?
Each step in the food chain.
What occupies the first level of the trophic levels?
Producers (e.g., plants, phytoplankton).
What occupies the second level of the trophic levels?
Primary consumers (e.g., herbivores).
What occupies the third level of the trophic levels?
Secondary consumers (e.g., carnivores or omnivores).
What occupies the fourth level of the trophic levels?
Tertiary consumers (e.g., top carnivores).
What occupies the fifth level of the trophic levels?
Detritivores (scavengers) or decomposers (saprophytes).
What percentage of energy is passed between trophic levels?
About 10%.
What happens to the total energy stored in the biomass pyramid as you go up levels?
There is a decrease in the total energy stored.
What is bioaccumulation?
The process where organisms accumulate more toxins as they move up the food chain.
What is the relationship between trophic levels and toxin concentration?
The higher the trophic level, the greater the concentration of toxins in an organism’s tissues.
What is photosynthesis?
The process where chlorophyll captures light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.
What organelles are responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells?
Chloroplasts.
What is cellular respiration?
The process where consumers break down glucose to acquire energy.
What does cellular respiration require?
Oxygen.
What are the products of cellular respiration?
Water and carbon dioxide.
