Topic 7 Flashcards
(25 cards)
What are abiotic factors? Give an example.
Non living parts of the environment e.g water, temp, sun light
What are biotic factors? Give an example.
Living parts of the environment e.g predators, prey, competition
What do plants compete for?
Light, space, water, minerals
What are extremophiles?
Organisms that live in very extreme environments e.g high temps
What is the first level in the food chain?
Producers
What are producers
Organisms that synthesise molecules
Such as plants or algae
What do primary consumers eat
Producers(plants) they are herbivores
What do secondary consumers eat
Primary consumers
What is the top of the food chain
Tertiary consumers
Explain a method to estimate the number of daisy’s in a field.
- use a random number generator to generate coordinates
- place a 1m by 1m quadrat at those coordinates
- count the number of daisy’s in the quadrat
- repeat 10 times
- calculate a mean number of daisy’s per quadrat
- multiply that number by the total area of the field
How is carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis by plants
How is carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere (mostly)
The burning of fossil fuels to produce energy
Respiration by organisms
Decomposition (by microorganisms)
Explain the steps in the water cycle.
- water is evaporated from seas
- the water vapor condenses to form clouds
- clouds release precipitation (rain, snow, hail)
- the precipitation is collected in seas
What is the definition of biodiversity
The variety of different species of organism within an ecosystem
What factors may reduce biodiversity
- deforestation/ destruction of habitats
- global warming
- pollution
- landfill sights which destroy natural landscapes
What are the 3 ways pollution can occur.
- in water from sewage, fertiliser or toxic chemicals
- in air from smoke and acidic gases
- in land from landfill and toxic chemicals
Why has deforestation occurred
- to provide land for cattle and rice fields
- to grow crops for biofuels
What are some positive effects of humans on the ecosystem?
- breeding programs for endangered species
- protection of rare habitats
- reduction in deforestation and CO2 emissions
- introducing recycling resources instead of dumping waste in landfill
What are some examples of structural adaptations?
- fur for cold environments
- camouflage
- sharp claws
- thorns
What are some examples of behavioural adaptations
- hibernation
- migration
- hunting in groups
What are some examples of functional adaptations
- lowering metabolism to conserve food
- poisonous venom
- reduction in the production of sweat and urine to conserve water in hot conditions
What are pest bods used for?
Bio fuel, compost
What organisms help peat bogs to decay
Microorganisms, that secrete enzymes
What type of decay happens in pest bogs
Aerobic
