Unit 4: Biology

Question 1

What is a producer?

Answer 1

a producer, also known as an autotroph, is an organism that can make its own food using external energy sources like sunlight or chemicals. They form the base of food chains and ecosystems, providing the energy and raw materials for other organisms.

Question 2

What is a consumer?

Answer 2

a consumer is an organism that cannot produce its own food and must obtain energy by consuming other organisms or substances. They rely on other living things, like plants or other animals, for nourishment. Consumers are also known as heterotrophs.

Question 2

What is a trophic level?

Answer 2

a trophic level is a position an organism occupies in a food chain or web, based on how it obtains its food. It represents a step in the transfer of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem. Essentially, trophic levels define the feeding relationships between organisms, with each level representing a different stage in the flow of energy from producers to consumers.

Question 3

What is a decomposer?

Answer 3

a decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead plants and animals, as well as waste materials, into simpler substances, ultimately recycling nutrients back into the environment for other organisms to use. Decomposers are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and are often bacteria, fungi, or invertebrates like worms.

Question 4

What are aboitic factors?

Answer 4

Abiotic factors are the non-living, physical, and chemical components of an environment that affect living organisms and ecosystems. They include things like sunlight, water, temperature, wind, soil, and nutrients. These factors play a crucial role in shaping an ecosystem’s characteristics and influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms.

Question 5

What is the atmosphere?

Answer 5

The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surrounds a planet or other celestial body, held in place by gravity. It’s like a blanket of air that protects life by blocking harmful radiation, moderating temperatures, and providing the air we breathe. Earth’s atmosphere, for example, is mostly made of nitrogen and oxygen.

Question 6

What is bioaccumulation?

Answer 6

Bioaccumulation is the gradual accumulation of a substance, like a pesticide or heavy metal, within a living organism. This happens when an organism absorbs a substance faster than it can eliminate it through its natural processes like excretion. It’s a natural process where organisms store essential nutrients but also inadvertently accumulate harmful substances.

Question 7

What is bioampflication?

Answer 7

Bioamplification, also known as biomagnification, is the increasing concentration of a substance (like a toxin or pollutant) as it moves up the food chain. This process occurs because persistent substances, those that don’t degrade easily in the environment, are transferred from one organism to the next through consumption

Question 8

What is biodiversity?

Answer 8

Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the variety of life on Earth, including all living organisms from genes to ecosystems. It encompasses the richness of species, the genetic variation within species, and the diversity of ecosystems. Essentially, biodiversity is the natural world’s “rich variety of life,” encompassing all living things and their interactions.

Question 9

What is a biosphere?

Answer 9

The biosphere encompasses all life on Earth and the physical spaces where that life exists, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountain peaks. It’s essentially the zone of life on our planet.

Question 10

What is biotic factors?

Answer 10

Biotic factors are the living organisms within an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and any other living things, along with their interactions. These factors, along with abiotic factors, determine the biodiversity and distribution of organisms within an ecosystem.

Question 11

What is cellular respiration?

Answer 11

Cellular respiration is the process where cells break down glucose (a sugar) to release energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the cell’s main energy currency. This process also produces carbon dioxide and water as waste products. Cellular respiration is essential for all living organisms, including animals, plants, and fungi.

Question 12

What is climate change?

Answer 12

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions

Question 13

What is a ecosystem?

Answer 13

An ecosystem is a geographic area where living things (biotic factors) interact with each other and with non-living things (abiotic factors) like the environment. These interactions create a complex web of life, encompassing food chains, energy flow, and nutrient cycles. Ecosystems can range in size from a small puddle to a vast ocean.

Question 14

What is equilibrium?

Answer 14

In biology, equilibrium refers to a state of balance or stability within a system, where competing influences are balanced, and the system is neither changing nor tending to change

Question 15

What is eutrophication?

Answer 15

excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.

Question 16

What is the hydrosphere?

Answer 16

The hydrosphere encompasses all water on Earth, including water in its liquid, solid (ice), and gaseous (vapor) states. This includes oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and atmospheric water vapor. It is a crucial component of Earth’s systems, interacting with the geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

Question 17

What are invasive species?

Answer 17

Invasive species are plants or animals that are not native to an area and have been introduced, either intentionally or unintentionally, causing harm to the environment, economy, or society. They often outcompete native species for resources and can disrupt ecosystem

Question 18

What is the lithosphere?

Answer 18

The lithosphere is the rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial planet, including the Earth. It’s composed of the Earth’s crust and the uppermost, solid part of the mantle. The lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates, which are large, rigid pieces that float on the more ductile asthenosphere

Question 19

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 19

the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.

Question 20

What is pollution?

Answer 20

pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or energy into the environment, causing damage to ecosystems, health, and overall quality of life. These harmful substances, known as pollutants, can be natural (like volcanic ash) or human-caused (like industrial runoff or plastic waste). Pollution can manifest in various forms, including air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, noise pollution, and light pollution.

Question 21

What is population?

Answer 21

a population is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time. It’s a fundamental unit of study in ecology and other scientific fields, focusing on the interactions between individuals and their environment, and the dynamics of their numbers and characteristics.

Question 22

What is sustainability?

Answer 22

Sustainability science is a field that studies the complex interactions between human and natural systems to understand how they affect the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations. It’s a transdisciplinary approach that bridges knowledge from different fields, including natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, to address sustainability challenges.

Question 23

What is sustainable use?

Answer 23

Sustainable use, in general terms, refers to utilizing resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It’s about balancing resource consumption with the need to preserve the environment for the long term.
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Question 24

What are pesticides?

Answer 24

Pesticides are substances, either naturally occurring or manufactured, used to control or eliminate pests. These pests can include insects, plants (weeds), rodents, fungi, and other organisms. Pesticides are used in various settings, including agriculture, public health, and homes, to protect crops, prevent disease transmission, and manage nuisance pests

Question 25

What is habitat change?

Answer 25

Habitat change refers to alteration in the environmental conditions where a species lives, affecting its ability to survive and reproduce. This can be caused by natural events or human activities, leading to changes in where species can live and migrate.

Question 26

What is over explotation?

Answer 26

Overexploitation, also known as overharvesting, is the unsustainable use of a resource, often a natural one, to the point where it's depleted faster than it can be replenished. This can lead to the destruction of the resource, including its ecological impact, and potentially extinction of species.

Question 27

What are native species?

Answer 27

A native species is a plant or animal that has evolved and naturally occurs in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat. It's a species that has been present in that area for a long time and is naturally adapted to its environment, often without human intervention.

Question 28

What is deforestation?

Answer 28

Deforestation is the permanent clearing or destruction of forests for other land uses, such as agriculture, urbanization, or logging. It involves removing trees and vegetation from an area, leading to the conversion of forested land to different purposes.

Question 29

What is clear cutting?

Answer 29

Clear cutting is a forestry practice where the majority or all of the trees in a designated area are cut down at the same time. This method is commonly used in the timber industry for its efficiency and economic benefits. While it can be a sustainable way to manage certain forests, it also raises environmental concerns

Question 30

What is habitat fragmentation/loss?

Answer 30

Habitat fragmentation is the process by which a large, continuous habitat is broken up into smaller, isolated patches. These fragments can be caused by natural events or, more commonly, by human activities like urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development. This process significantly impacts biodiversity, as it can lead to reduced population sizes, increased edge effects, and barriers to species movement.

Question 30

What is point source pollution?

Answer 30

Point source pollution is pollution that originates from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe, ditch, or smokestack. It's pollution that can be traced back to a specific location or facility.

Question 31

What is global warming?

Answer 31

Global warming describes the current rise in the average temperature of Earth's air and oceans. Global warming is often described as the most recent example of climate change.

Question 32

What is biological oxygen demand?

Answer 32

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) measures the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to break down organic matter in a water sample over a specific time period. It's a crucial indicator of water quality, reflecting the level of organic pollution. A higher BOD indicates a greater amount of organic matter present, leading to increased oxygen consumption and potentially harming aquatic life.

Question 33

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 33

The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, keeping the planet warm and habitable. These gases, known as greenhouse gases, allow sunlight to pass through but prevent infrared radiation (heat) from escaping back into space.

Question 34

What are greenhouse gases?

Answer 34

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the atmosphere that trap heat and warm the planet, similar to how the glass in a greenhouse traps heat. They allow sunlight to pass through but prevent much of the reflected infrared radiation (heat) from escaping back into space.

Question 35

Describe and give examples of the five major factors that increase loss of biodiversity on Earth.

Answer 35

Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, overexploitation of species and invasive species have been identified as the five major threats to biodiversity, globally.

Question 36

Give some examples of the services the environment provides to us

Answer 36

The environment provides a variety of services crucial to human and environmental well-being, collectively known as ecosystem services. These services can be broadly categorized into provisioning (food, water), regulating (water purification, climate regulation), supporting (photosyntesis, nutrient cycling), and cultural services (aesthetic, cultural).

Question 37

What are the three major components of the biosphere? Terrestrial vs Aquatic ecosystem examples (biome examples)

Answer 37

The biosphere consists of three major components: the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and the hydrosphere. These are the solid, gaseous, and liquid components of Earth, respectively, where life exists.

Question 38

How can you tell if a pond ecosystem is healthy?

Answer 38

A healthy pond ecosystem is characterized by a balance of physical, chemical, and biological elements, resulting in a stable and diverse environment. Key indicators of a healthy pond include a variety of plant and animal life, clear water, and minimal algae blooms. Conversely, signs of an unhealthy pond might include a single dominant plant species, excessive algae, poor water clarity, and a lack of biodiversit

Question 39

describe the steps to eutrophication. How is it connected to the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 39

Eutrophication, a natural or accelerated process where a body of water receives excessive nutrients, is directly linked to the nitrogen cycle. The process involves nutrient enrichment, algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and ultimately, the death of aquatic species. Excess nitrogen from sources like fertilizer runoff contributes to this process

Question 40

describe the steps of bioamplification

Answer 40

Bioamplification, also known as biomagnification, is the process where the concentration of a substance, like a pesticide or heavy metal, increases as it moves up the food chain. This happens because lower-level organisms are consumed by higher-level organisms, and the contaminant accumulates in their tissues.

Question 41

what is the laws of thermodynamics

Answer 41

The Laws of Thermodynamics are a set of fundamental principles that govern energy and its transformations. The First Law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted from one form to another. The Second Law defines the direction of energy flow, stating that the entropy (disorder) of a closed system tends to increase. The Third Law describes the behavior of entropy at absolute zero, indicating that a pure crystal at absolute zero has zero entropy

Question 42

Energy transfer: how much energy is transferred at each level?

Answer 42

On average, only about 10% of the energy stored in one trophic level is passed on to the next, according to National Geographic. This is known as the "10% rule" or "the ten-per cent law". This energy transfer inefficiency limits the number of trophic levels that can be supported in an ecosystem

Question 43

Why can food chains be a maximum of 5 organisms long?

Answer 43

Food chains rarely extend beyond 5 links (or 5 trophic levels) primarily due to energy loss at each step. This loss is often described by the 10% rule, where only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next. After a few links, the remaining energy is too small to support another trophic level.

Question 44

3 types of pyramids (numbers, biomass, energy) Define

Answer 44

In biology, ecological pyramids are visual representations of the transfer of energy, biomass, or number of organisms through the trophic levels of an ecosystem. There are three main types: pyramid of numbers, pyramid of biomass, and pyramid of energy

Question 45

Write the word equations for respiration and photosynthesis How are they related? Describe the similarities and differences between the two

Answer 45

The products of one process are the reactants of the other. Notice that the equation for cellular respiration is the direct opposite of photosynthesis: Cellular Respiration: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O. Photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6+ 6O.

Question 46

Describe how the carbon cycle is connected to each of the layers in the biosphere

Answer 46

The carbon cycle connects to all layers of the biosphere – atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere (living organisms) – as carbon moves between these layers through various processes. Photosynthesis by plants removes carbon from the atmosphere, while respiration and decomposition return it. The ocean absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and stores it, and the lithosphere stores carbon in rocks and fossil fuels.

Question 46

Nitrogen cycle - what are the key steps?

Answer 46

The nitrogen cycle involves several key steps: nitrogen fixation, where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into forms usable by plants; nitrification, where ammonia and ammonium are converted to nitrates; assimilation, where plants absorb these forms of nitrogen; ammonification, where nitrogen-containing organic matter decomposes into ammonia; and denitrification, where nitrates are converted back into atmospheric nitrogen gas.

Question 47

How do humans impact each cycle?

Answer 47

Humans significantly impact both the carbon and nitrogen cycles, primarily through activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. These changes alter the balance of these cycles, leading to increased greenhouse gas concentrations and other environmental consequences.