Unit 9 In Details Flashcards
(168 cards)
1
Q
What are abiotic factors that could affect the community in an ecosystem?
A
Temperature, light , water, level of pollutants etc.
2
Q
What happens to the population of gazelles if the number of lions decreases?
A
The population of gazelles might increase
This is due to reduced predation.
3
Q
What is competition in an ecosystem?
A
Organisms compete with other species and members of their own species for resources
Example: Red and grey squirrels competing for the same food.
4
Q
How does light intensity affect plant species in an ecosystem?
A
As trees grow and provide more shade, grasses may be replaced by fungi or mosses
These organisms can cope better with lower light intensity.
5
Q
What is a habitat?
A
The place where an organism lives
Example: A rocky shore or a field.
6
Q
Define a species.
A
A group of similar organisms that can reproduce to give fertile offspring
This is a fundamental concept in biology.
7
Q
What is mutualism?
A
A relationship between two organisms from which both benefit
Example: Bees and flowering plants.
8
Q
What is parasitism?
A
A relationship where the parasite benefits at the expense of the host
Example: Fleas feeding on mammals.
9
Q
Explain interdependence in ecosystems.
A
Organisms depends on each other for things like food and shelter in order to survive and reproduce.
A change in the population of one species can have huge knock-on effects for other species
This highlights the interconnectedness of species in a community.
10
Q
What is an ecosystem?
A
A community of organisms along with all the non-living (abiotic) conditions
Ecosystems include interactions between living and non-living components.
11
Q
What is a population in ecological terms?
A
All the organisms of one species in a habitat
Populations can vary in size and distribution.
12
Q
What are the different levels of organization in ecosystems?
A
Individual, population, community, ecosystem
Each level represents a different scale of biological organization.
13
Q
Fill in the blank: Organisms depend on each other for things like food and shelter in order to _______.
A
survive and reproduce
14
Q
Ecosystems are organised into different levels.
A
1) Individual - A single organism.
2) Population-All the organisms of one species in a habitat.
3) Community All the organisms of different species living in a habitat.
4) Ecosystem - A community of organisms along with all the non-living (abiotic) conditions.
A habitat is the place where an organism lives, for example a rocky shore or field.
A species is a group of similar organisms that can reproduce to give fertile offspring.
15
Q
Abiotic factors
A
Non living
1) Temperature.
2) Amount of water.
3) Light Intensity.
4) Levels of pollutants.
16
Q
Biotic factors
A
Living
1.Competition.
- Predation.
17
Q
What is a quadrat?
A
A square frame enclosing a known area, e.g. 1 m²
Used to study the distribution of organisms in an ecosystem.
18
Q
How should quadrats be placed to ensure random sampling?
A
Quadrats should be placed at random points within the sample area
This can be achieved by using a random number generator to pick coordinates.
19
Q
What is the purpose of using quadrats in ecological studies?
A
To investigate the distribution of organisms along a gradient
This helps to understand how species distribution changes with abiotic factors.
20
Q
What is the first step in using a quadrat to study organisms?
A
Mark out a line in the area you want to study
This line can be used for placing the quadrats along a gradient.
21
Q
What data should be collected when using quadrats?
A
Count all the organisms of the species you’re studying
You can also record abiotic factors like light intensity.
22
Q
How can the mean number of organisms per m² be calculated?
A
Work out the mean number of organisms per quadrat and multiply by the total area in m²
For example, if the mean is 10 daisies per quadrat in an area of 800 m², the estimate is 8000 daisies.
23
Q
What is a belt transect?
A
A method where quadrats are laid out along a line to study distribution
This method helps to observe changes in species distribution over a gradient.
24
Q
What should be done after counting organisms in the first sample area?
A
Repeat the counting process in a second sample area
This allows for comparison of species distribution between different areas.
25
Fill in the blank: To estimate the population size, multiply the mean number of organisms per m² by the _______.
total area (in m²)
## Footnote
This scaling up helps to estimate total populations based on sample data.
26
What is an abiotic factor?
A non-living component of the environment that can affect organism distribution
## Footnote
Examples include light intensity, temperature, and soil composition.
27
What is the significance of plotting graphs in ecological studies?
To see if the changing abiotic factor is correlated with the distribution of species
## Footnote
Graphs can help visualize trends and relationships in the data.
28
What is one way to ensure that the results from quadrat sampling are representative?
Repeat the sampling process multiple times
## Footnote
This increases the reliability of the data collected.
29
What should be done if the transect is long?
Place quadrats at regular intervals along the transect
## Footnote
This helps to systematically sample different areas along the gradient.
30
What is a pyramid of biomass?
A way of describing food chains quantitatively that shows the weight of organisms at each level
31
What is the first level of a pyramid of biomass?
The producer
32
What happens to biomass as you move up trophic levels?
The mass of organisms goes down
33
What energy source do plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy?
The Sun
34
Fill in the blank: Energy is used by organisms at each stage to _______.
stay alive
35
True or False: Energy is fully transferred to the next trophic level.
False
36
What is lost from the food chain in feces?
Undigested material
37
What is the consequence of energy being lost at each trophic level?
There is not enough energy to support more organisms after four or five levels
38
What is the role of biomass in an ecosystem?
It is a store of energy
39
What type of energy is transferred to the surroundings by heat?
A lot of energy
40
What percentage of light energy do plants convert into glucose?
A small percentage
41
What can be said about the number of organisms at each trophic level?
You tend to get fewer organisms at each trophic level
42
What happens to energy stored in biomass?
Some is used in respiration, and some is stored as biomass
43
What is one reason why energy in one trophic level is not passed on to the next?
Some energy is used for life processes, including movement
44
How many trophic levels are commonly found in food chains?
About five
45
What happens to some of the energy the rabbit gets from the plant?
It is used immediately in respiration and stored as biomass
46
What is the formula to calculate the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels?
efficiency = (energy transferred to next level / energy available at previous level) x 100
47
Calculate the efficiency of energy transfer between the second and third trophic levels if the energy transferred is 850 kJ and the energy available at the previous level is 1999000 kJ.
0.0425%
48
What amount of energy is lost between the first and second trophic levels if 80,000 kJ is available and 10,000 kJ is transferred?
70,000 kJ
49
Calculate the efficiency of biomass transfer if 850 kJ is transferred to the next level and the previous level had 1999000 kJ.
0.0425%
50
What is a non-indigenous species?
A non-indigenous species is one that doesn't naturally occur in an area. They can be introduced intentionally or unintentionally.
51
How do non-indigenous species affect indigenous species?
Non-indigenous species compete with indigenous species for resources like food and shelter, potentially reducing biodiversity.
52
What is one potential consequence of introducing non-indigenous species?
Introducing non-indigenous species may cause problems for indigenous species, including competition for resources and the introduction of new diseases.
53
Fill in the blank: Non-indigenous species sometimes bring new _______ to a habitat.
diseases
54
How can fish farming in large tanks impact biodiversity?
Fish farming in large tanks can be low in biodiversity because often only one species is farmed, and they can escape into the wild, causing problems for wild populations.
55
What is eutrophication?
Eutrophication is an excess of nutrients in water, which can lead to the death of many species present in the water.
56
How can fertilizers affect water bodies?
Fertilizers can leach into water, causing eutrophication and reducing the biodiversity of aquatic species.
57
True or False: Eutrophication can result from excess nitrates causing algae to grow fast and block out light.
True
58
What happens to organisms that need oxygen for aerobic respiration during eutrophication?
They die due to a lack of oxygen in the water.
59
What human activities can negatively impact biodiversity?
Human interactions within ecosystems, including pollution and the introduction of non-indigenous species, often negatively affect biodiversity.
60
Fill in the blank: Biodiversity is the variety of _______ in an ecosystem.
living organisms
61
What is a consequence of fish farms acting as breeding grounds?
Fish farms can act as breeding grounds for large numbers of parasites, which can infect wild animals.
62
What happens to the waste produced by farmed fish?
The waste can leak into the open water, causing eutrophication and the death of wild species.
63
What role do non-indigenous predators play when introduced to new habitats?
They can out-compete indigenous species and contribute to a reduction in biodiversity.
64
What are the advantages of protecting biodiversity?
Numerous advantages for both wildlife and humans
65
What is the term for replanting land where a forest previously stood?
Reforestation
66
How does reforestation affect biodiversity?
Increases biodiversity by restoring habitats
67
What employment opportunities do reforestation schemes provide?
Ecotourism, conservation schemes
68
What is eco-tourism?
Environmentally-friendly tourism
69
Why is conserving species important for future medicines?
Many medicines come from plants; undiscovered species may contain new medicinal chemicals
70
What happens to food chains when one species becomes extinct?
The whole food chain is affected
71
What is a key benefit of conservation programmes?
Ensuring future generations have food supplies
72
What methods can be used in conservation to protect at-risk species?
* Protecting natural habitats
* Using seed banks
* Captive breeding programmes
73
What is the impact of deforestation on biodiversity?
Reduces biodiversity by removing trees and plants
74
How do forests contribute to biodiversity?
Contain a wide variety of trees and plants
75
What are some human activities that can reduce biodiversity?
Deforestation, pollution, habitat destruction
76
What is the importance of cultural aspects in biodiversity?
Individual species may hold cultural significance
77
Fill in the blank: Reforestation helps to _______ biodiversity.
[restore]
78
True or False: Conservation schemes can help prevent species from dying out.
True
79
What should reforestation programmes aim to maximize?
Positive effects and minimize negative ones
80
What is a consequence of over- fishing ( catching to much fish) in oceans?
Greatly reduced fish stocks
81
What is the significance of the bald eagle in the USA?
Regarded as a national symbol and is being conserved
82
What is the role of seed banks in conservation?
Store and distribute seeds of rare and endangered plants
83
What is the impact of a new crop pathogen on food security?
It can reduce yields and the amount of food that can be sold.
## Footnote
A crop pathogen can affect the health of plants, leading to decreased food availability.
84
What are examples of organisms that can damage crops?
Pests and pathogens, including:
* Insects
* Bacteria
* Fungi
## Footnote
These organisms can lead to significant losses in agricultural production.
85
How can high input costs affect farming?
They may make it too expensive for farmers to continue farming and maintain food production.
## Footnote
High costs include fertilizers, fuel, and machinery.
86
What is yield in agriculture?
Yield means the amount of useful product made.
## Footnote
In the context of crops, it refers to the quantity of food produced per area.
87
What is a potential conflict regarding land use for biofuels?
The need to grow food now and in the future versus land use for biofuels.
## Footnote
Biofuels like bioethanol are grown from crops such as corn and sugar cane.
88
Define sustainability in the context of food security.
Sustainability means meeting the needs of today's population without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
## Footnote
This concept is essential for long-term food security.
89
How does climate change affect crop yields?
It can cause changes in rainfall patterns and global warming, which may reduce yields.
## Footnote
Climate change impacts agricultural productivity and food supply.
90
What is global warming?
Global warming is a type of climate change that causes an increase in global temperatures.
## Footnote
It is primarily driven by the rise in greenhouse gases.
91
What is the effect of burning fossil fuels on the environment?
It releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
## Footnote
Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.
92
What is a risk associated with over-fishing?
There may not be enough fish available to catch in the future.
## Footnote
Over-fishing can lead to depletion of fish stocks and affect food security.
93
How does energy transfer in a food chain affect food production?
There is less energy and biomass at each stage up the food chain, making crop production more efficient for human food.
## Footnote
Growing crops directly for human consumption is generally more effective than raising animals.
94
What dietary changes occur as people become wealthier?
Diets are likely to include a wider variety of foods, including more meat and fish.
## Footnote
These foods can be more expensive and impact food security.
95
What is food security?
Food security means that everyone has access to enough safe food with the right balance of nutrition.
## Footnote
It is essential for health and well-being.
96
What biological factor affects food security?
The increasing human population.
## Footnote
As the population grows, the demand for food also increases.
97
Fill in the blank: The world's population is rising very ______.
quickly
98
What challenge does the growing population present?
Growing enough food for everyone will become more difficult.
## Footnote
This poses a significant challenge for global food production.
99
What is the role of microorganisms in the carbon cycle?
Microorganisms decompose materials, returning nutrients to the soil and releasing CO2 back into the air.
## Footnote
They break down dead organic matter, allowing habitats to be maintained.
100
What do decomposers release back into the air during respiration?
CO2
## Footnote
This occurs as they break down organic material.
101
What process powers the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis
## Footnote
Green plants use sunlight to convert CO2 into carbohydrates.
102
What happens to carbon compounds when plants and animals die?
They decompose, returning elements to the soil and air.
## Footnote
This process involves microorganisms breaking down the organic matter.
103
What do plants convert carbon from CO2 into?
Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
## Footnote
These are essential for the growth of living organisms.
104
How do animals obtain carbon compounds?
By eating plants and other animals in a food chain.
## Footnote
This is part of the carbon recycling process.
105
Fill in the blank: The elements are recycled through both the living (biotic) and _______ components of ecosystems.
non-living (abiotic)
## Footnote
This includes factors like soil quality and temperature.
106
True or False: There is a fixed amount of carbon in the world.
True
## Footnote
This means carbon is constantly recycled.
107
What are fossil fuels made from?
Decayed plant and animal matter
## Footnote
These fuels are a result of millions of years of decomposition.
108
What do living things take from the environment to form complex compounds?
Elements like carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen
## Footnote
These elements are essential for building proteins and carbohydrates.
109
What maintains the balance of materials in ecosystems?
The constant recycling of nutrients
## Footnote
This ensures that what goes in and what goes out is balanced.
110
What is an ecosystem?
All the organisms living in an area, along with their non-living environment.
## Footnote
This includes interactions between biotic and abiotic components.
111
What is desalination?
Desalination removes salts (mineral ions) from salt water to produce potable water
## Footnote
Potable water is water that is suitable for drinking.
112
What is reverse osmosis?
Reverse osmosis is the process of moving water molecules from a higher salt concentration to a lower salt concentration through a partially permeable membrane
## Footnote
This process effectively removes salts from water.
113
What does osmosis refer to?
Osmosis is the net movement of water across a partially permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration
114
What causes the movement of water in reverse osmosis?
Pressure causes the water molecules to move in the opposite direction to osmosis, from a higher salt concentration to a lower salt concentration
115
What is the first step in the desalination process?
Salt water is treated to remove solids before being fed into a vessel at high pressure
116
What happens to steam in thermal desalination?
The steam condenses back into pure water while the salts stay at the bottom
117
What is a drought?
A drought occurs when there isn't enough precipitation
118
Why is the water cycle important?
The water cycle constantly recycles water, which is essential for all living things to survive
119
What is precipitation?
Precipitation is water falling from clouds, usually as rain, snow, or hail
120
What role does the Sun play in the water cycle?
Energy from the Sun makes water evaporate from the land and sea, turning it into water vapor
121
What is transpiration?
Transpiration is the process of water evaporating from plants
122
What happens during condensation in the water cycle?
Water vapor cools and condenses to form clouds
123
Fill in the blank: The water cycle means water is _______ recycled.
endlessly
124
What is the significance of desalination during droughts?
Desalination provides a method to produce potable water from salt water when fresh water is scarce
125
What is the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
Bacteria do a lot of the hard work in the nitrogen cycle.
126
What are nitrates used for by plants?
Nitrates are used by plants to make proteins.
127
How can farmers increase the amount of nitrates in the soil?
Farmers can increase nitrates by using crop rotation and spreading animal manure or compost.
128
What is the purpose of crop rotation?
Crop rotation prevents the nitrogen content of the soil from decreasing and helps maintain soil health.
129
What is nitrogen fixation?
Nitrogen fixation is the process of turning atmospheric N₂ into ammonia, which forms ammonium ions.
130
What do nitrogen-fixing bacteria do?
They turn atmospheric N₂ into ammonia, which forms ammonium ions.
131
What is the function of nitrifying bacteria?
Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates.
132
What do denitrifying bacteria do?
Denitrifying bacteria turn nitrates back into N₂ gas.
133
What is the role of decomposers in the nitrogen cycle?
Decomposers break down proteins and urea into ammonia.
134
Fill in the blank: The atmosphere contains 78% _______ gas.
N₂
135
True or False: Nitrogen in the air can be directly used by plants.
False
136
What happens to nitrogen when plants decompose?
The nitrogen stored in them is returned to the soil.
137
What are the four types of bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle?
* Decomposers
* Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
* Nitrifying bacteria
* Denitrifying bacteria
138
What is the relationship between legumes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria?
Legumes have a mutualistic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, where the bacteria provide nitrogen ions to the plant.
139
How do artificial fertilizers help crops?
Artificial fertilizers contain nitrates and other mineral ions needed by plants.
140
What is the impact of harvesting crops on soil nitrogen?
Harvesting crops can lead to a decrease in soil nitrogen if not managed properly.
141
How does lightning contribute to the nitrogen cycle?
Lightning provides energy to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
142
Fill in the blank: The process of turning ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates is performed by _______ bacteria.
Nitrifying
143
What happens to nitrogen ions during plant growth?
Nitrogen ions can leak out of the nodules during plant growth.
144
Why is nitrogen important for living organisms?
Nitrogen is needed for making proteins for growth.
145
What is the result of decomposing animal waste?
It returns nitrogen to the soil.
146
Name three things that affect the rate of decay.
* Temperature
* Water content
* Oxygen availability
## Footnote
These factors influence the decomposition process significantly.
147
What is compost?
Decomposed organic matter used as fertilizer for crops and gardens
## Footnote
Compost is typically made from food waste.
148
What conditions are ideal for decomposers?
* Warm temperatures
* Moist environments
* Plenty of oxygen
## Footnote
These conditions enhance the activity of decomposers.
149
Fill in the blank: The rate of decomposition is faster where there is plenty of _______.
oxygen
150
What happens to microorganisms when food is stored in airtight cans?
Microorganisms are prevented from entering
## Footnote
Sealing food in cans helps preserve it by stopping microbial growth.
151
True or False: Decomposers can only survive in oxygen-rich environments.
False
152
What effect does temperature have on the rate of decomposition?
A warm temperature speeds up the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions
## Footnote
Enzymes are crucial for the decomposition process.
153
How does water content affect decay?
Decay occurs faster in moist environments
## Footnote
Microorganisms need water to survive and carry out biological processes.
154
What is the result of adding salt or sugar to food?
It causes microorganisms to lose water by osmosis
## Footnote
This method is used to preserve food by dehydrating microbes.
155
What is the relationship between decomposition and the return of elements to the soil?
Decomposition returns elements to the soil from dead organisms and waste
## Footnote
This process is vital for nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
156
What are two methods used to preserve food?
* Refrigeration
* Freezing
## Footnote
These methods slow down the decay process by altering temperature and moisture levels.
157
Fill in the blank: Nearly all decomposition is done by _______.
microorganisms
158
Abundance in ecology
This is the number of different species, or the number of individuals of a particular species, found within a given area.
159
Distribution
The distribution of a species is where it is found within an ecosystem. This will most likely be wherever the suitable habitat of that species is found.
160
Ecology is the branch of biology that studies:
Ecology is the branch of biology that studies:
abundance of species
the distribution of species in their habitats
the interactions between species
the interactions between species and their abiotic environment
The distribution and abundance of a species in an area can be assessed using practical methods, including:
quadrats
belt transects
161
Maintaining biodiversity has many benefits.
* Protecting the humans food supply-for example: over fishing has greatly reduced fish stocks in the world s oceans. Conservation programmes can ensure that future generations have a fish to eat.
* Ensuring minimal damage to the food chain. If one species will become extinct it will affect all the organisms that feed on and eaten by that species so the whole food chain is affected. This means, conserving one species
may help others to survive.
* Providing future medicines- many medicines we are using today come from plants. Undiscovered plant species might contain new medicinal chemicals. If plants are allowed to become extinct for example through rainforest destruction, we could miss out on valuable medicines.
* Cultural aspect- individual species might be important in a nation or an area's cultural heritage. For example bald eagle 🦅 is being conserved in the USA as it is regarded as National symbol.
* Ecotourism - people are drawn to visit beautiful, unspoiled landscapes with a variety of animals and plant species. Ecotourism ( environmentally friendly tourism) helps bring money into biodiverse areas where conservation work is taking place.
* Providing new jobs- things such as eco tourism , conservation schemes and reforestation schemes provide employment opportunities for local people.
162
Biological Factors Affect the Level of Food Security
The increasing human population is a biological factor affecting food security.
* Increasing consumption of meat and fish, and Increasing animal farming
1) As people become wealthier, their diets are likely to change to include a wider variety of foods. Including more meat and fish (which are expensive to buy). This can be bad news for food security.
2) There's less energy and less biomass every time you move up a stage in a food chain, so for a given area of land, you can produce a lot more food for humans by growing cross rather than by having grazing animals. Plus, animals and fish being reared to be eaten are often fed crops that would otherwise be eaten by humans.
3) There's also a risk of over-fishing wild fish, so that there won't be enough available to catch in the future.
* Environmental changes caused by human activity
1) Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) releases lots of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas-Greenhouse gases that naturally trap energy in the atmosphere that helps to keep the Earth warm. But increasing levels of greenhouse gases are causing the global temperature to rise. This is global warming.
2) Global warming is a type of climate change and it causes other forms of climate change, e.g. changing rainfall patterns. Climate change may affect the growth of crops, which could reduce yields.
3) Other changes caused by humans, such as soil pollution, could also reduce our ability to grow crops.
* Sustainability
Yield means the amount of useful product malt
1) Sustainability means meeting the needs of today's population without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. We must think about sustainability when addressing food security.
2) For example, deasel and petrol are made from crude oil a non-renewable fossil fuel that will eventually run out. There's currently an increase in the growth of crops to make biofuels like bioethanol, which is made by fermenting the sugar in corn and sugar cane. Biofuels are renewable alternatives to fossil fuels -but they take up land that could be used for food crops. We need to balance our need for this land to make biofuels with the need to grow more food now and in the future.
3) Also, the high input costs of farming (e.g. the price of fertilisers, fuel and machinery) may make it to expensive for farmers in some areas to continue farming and maintain food production in the future.
* New pests and pathogens
1) Pests (eg. some insects) and pathogens (e.g. bacteria, fungi) can pause damage to crops and livestock.
2) When new pests and pathogens emerge, they can have a negative impact on yields. E.g. if a new disease spreads to a crop, lots of the population may not be resistant to the disease. This means a large number of the crop plants will be damaged, reducing the yield and the amount that can be sold as food.
163
Types of desalination
Thermal desalination
Reverse osmosis desalination
164
Thermal desalination
Salt water is boiled in a large enclosed vessel, so that the water evaporates. The steam rises to the top of the vessel, but the salt stays at the bottom. The steam then travels down the pipe from the top of the vessel and condenses back into a pure water.
165
Reverse osmosis desalination
Salt water is first treated to remove solids, before being fed at a very high pressure into a vessel containing a partially permeable membrane.
The pressure causes the water molecules to move in the opposite direction to osmosis -from a higher salt concentration to lower salt concentration.
As the water is forced though the membrane, the salts are left behind, removing them from the water.
166
Nitrogen cycle
167
Carbon cycle
168
Water cycle
