Week 3a Flashcards
What is the main source of energy for Earth?
The Sun.
What is in the atmosphere that help to regulate the Earth’s temperature?
Greenhouse gases.
What are the 3 main greenhouse gases?
CO2, CH4, H2O
What are 3 fossil fuels?
Oil, Coal, Gas
What about human use of carbon is causing global warming?
Humans dig up carbon stores and we burn them, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. This off-sets the carbon cycle and traps too much heat in the atmosphere.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is short term pattern in temperature, precipitation, wind, etc. Climate is long term patterns (over 30 years or more).
Name 3 factors that affect climate, GO!
- Latitude: (N & S on the Earth)
- Topography natural features (altitude, water body, etc.)
- Heat moved by wind and ocean currents.
Explain Latitude and Longitude (And what are their “0” lines?)
Latitude is north to south (0 is the Equator), Longitude is east to west (from the Meridian)
What 3 latitude zones is the Earth divided into, and what affects their temperature?
Tropic Zone (23.5 degrees N to S of Equator), Temperate Zone (23.5 - 66.5 degrees N to S of Equator) Polar Zone (Beyond 66.5 degrees to the N & S poles) Affected by the angle of the sun’s rays hitting the Earth.
What causes the swirling of wind and oceans ?
Earth’s rotation
What is the difference between a Community and Ecosystem?
Community is all the populations in a certain area. Ecosystem are all the communities (biotic) plus the abiotic factors (rocks, water, wind, temperature, etc.)
Explain how a habitat fits into an ecosystem.
A habitat is where a specific animal lives within an ecosystem (Example: bird lives in a tree in the forest ecosystem, alligator lives in the water in a swamp ecosystem)
What is a creature’s “niche” ?
The role a creature has within the ecosystem (it’s habitat, the food it eats, interaction with other creatures)
Explain the Competitive Exclusion Principle
The fact each creature has it’s own ecological niche.
What are 3 ways communities interact within an ecosystem?
- Competition: fighting over food or evolving over time
- Predation: how one consumer captures and feeds on another
- Symbiosis: 2 species living together
Give at least 2 examples of resources creatures need.
Things that animals need to survive: water, nutrients, sunlight, space
What is symbiosis?
Relationship between 2 species that benefits at least one of those species.
Describe the 3 types of symbiosis.
- Mutualism: both benefit
- Commensualism: one benefits, other unaffected
- Parasitism: one benefits, one harmed
Tell me more about Ecological Succession.
When an ecosystem is altered by a man-made or natural disturbance, the ecosystem goes through a series of changes.
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession? (in Ecological Succession)
In primary succession, no soil/dirt remains (ex: volcanic eruption vs. forest fire)
What is the definition of biome? Give at least 2 examples.
A group of ecosystems across the planet with similar climate, soil, and communities. (Rainforest, desert, temperate, tundra)
What is an adaption? Give an example…or die!!!!
adaptation: species characteristic passed genetically that allow for better survival. Ex: polar bears are white.
What biome has the most biodiversity? (greatest amount of species)
Tropical rainforest
What is one similarity and one difference between a tropical rainforest and tropical dry forest?
Same: ZONE near equator
Difference: one is more dry with less amount covering Earth
