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Bio > 10. Biospheres to ecosystems > Flashcards

10. Biospheres to ecosystems Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is Ecology?

A

Study of relationships or interactions between living organisms and between the organisms and their natural environment.

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2
Q

Provide the definition of Biosphere.

A

Parts of Earth supporting life.

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3
Q

Provide the definition of a Biome.

A

Large area with a cerrtian climate and specific variety of plants and animals.

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4
Q

Provide the definition of Ecosystem.

A

Partciular area where biotic and abiotic components interact with each other.

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5
Q

Provide the definition of Community.

A

Different populations interacting in an area.

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6
Q

Provide the definition of Population.

A

Group of organisms of the same species living in a specific area at the same time.

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7
Q

Provide the definition of Species.

A

Group of organisms of the same kind, able to breed successfully to fertile offspring.

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8
Q

Provide the definition of Organism.

A

Single form of life.

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9
Q

Provide the definition of Habitat.

A

Place where an organism lives.

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10
Q

Provide the definition of Niche.

A

Role of organism in it’s habitat.

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11
Q

What are the parts of the Biosphere?

A

Atmosphere, Lithosphere and Hydrosphere.

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12
Q

What are the 2 types of Biome?

A

Terrestrial and Aquatic

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13
Q

Give 4 examples of Terrestrial biomes found in SA.

A

Fynbos, Grasslands, Forest and Savannah.

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14
Q

What is an Aquatic biome?

A

Areas of water with a combination of salinity, temp and nutrient levels.

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15
Q

Give 3 examples of Aquatic biomes.

A
  • Inland ( freshwater)
  • Coastal (saltwater)
  • Marine (saltwater)
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16
Q

What are the conditions in the Fynbos biome?

A
  • Hot,dry summers
  • Cold,wet winters
  • Strong winds lead to veld fires
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17
Q

Name the 4 dominant plant groups in the Fynbos biome.

A
  • Proteas
  • Erica
  • Restios
  • Geophytes
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18
Q

What mammals can you find in the Fynbos biome?

A

Baboons, jackals, duikers, bontebok

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19
Q

Give 5 threats to the Fynbos biome.

A
  • Climate change
  • Pastures for livestock
  • Fires that are too frequent
  • Agricultural and urban expansion
  • Alien plant invasion
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20
Q

What is a Wetland?

A

Areas with waterlogged soil or soil covered with shallow layer of water.

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21
Q

Give 4 importances of Wetland.

A
  • Flood controllers
  • Provide regualr water supply
  • Water is filtered naturally by vegetation
  • Maintains biodiversity as it provides habitats
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22
Q

Name 4 threats to Wetlands.

A
  • Pollution
  • Habitat fragmentation
  • Water level changes
  • Invasive species
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23
Q

What are Abiotic factors?

A

All non-living factors in an ecosystem.

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24
Q

Name the Abiotic factors.

A
  • Physiographic factors
  • Edaphic factors
  • Light
  • Temperature
  • Water
  • Atmospheric gases
  • Wind
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25
Q

Name the 3 physiographic factors.

A

Aspect, Slope and Altitude

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26
Q

What is Aspect?

A

Position of an area in relation to the sun.

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27
Q

Which side gets more sunlight in SA?

A

North-facing slopes

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28
Q

How is run-off water on a steep slope?

A

Faster and soil erosion occurs more frequently.

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29
Q

How is soil on a steep slope?

A

Shallow and infertile with few plants and animals.

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30
Q

Name the 5 Edaphic factors.

A
  • Soil texture
  • Soil air
  • pH
  • Water-retention capacity
  • Humus content
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31
Q

Describe the soil texture of Clay.

A

Small soil particles

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32
Q

Describe the soil texture of Loam.

A

Slightly bigger particles

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33
Q

Describe the soil texture of Sand.

A

Large particles

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34
Q

Which soil is poorly aerated?

A

Clay

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35
Q

Which soil is well aerated?

A

Sand

36
Q

What is the water-retention capacity of Sand?

A

Low

37
Q

What is the water-retention capacity of Clay?

A

High

38
Q

What is the water-retention capacity of Loam?

A

Medium

39
Q

What is Humus?

A

Decayed plant and animal matter

40
Q

What does Humus increase?

A

Soil fertility and water-retention

41
Q

In which pH do Succulent plants grow?

A

Alkaline soil (high)

42
Q

Provide the definition of Photoperiodism.

A

Effect of day length on the growth of a plant.

43
Q

What is nocturnal?

A

Active at night

44
Q

What are neutral plants?

A

Aren’t affected by day length

45
Q

Give 3 characteristics of Ectothermic animals.

A
  • Can’t regulate body temp.
  • Body temp fluctuates with environmental temp
  • Inactive when too cold/hot
46
Q

Give 3 characteristics of Endothermic animals.

A
  • Regulate body temp
  • Environmental temp doesn’t influence body temp.
  • Survive in very hot/cold conditions
47
Q

Why do Deciduous tress lose their leaves in autumn?

A

Limity photosynthesis and growth

48
Q

Give 4 examples of Seasonal changes.

A

Migration, Hibernation, Aestivation and Bulbs

49
Q

Provide the definition of Migration.

A

Seasonal movement of animals due to changes in temp or water and food availability

50
Q

Provide the definition of Hibernation.

A

Animals become inactive due to colder winter months.

51
Q

Provide the definition of Aestivation.

A

Animals become inactive due to drought/very hot conditions.

52
Q

Provide the definition of Dormant plant species.

A

Plants become inactive due to unfavourbale conditions.

53
Q

Provide the defintion of Deciduous trees.

A

Lose their leaves during winter months to conserve energy and water.

54
Q

What are Hydrophytes?

A

Plants that grow in water (water lilies)

55
Q

What are Mesophytes?

A

Plants that grow in areas withh moderate water supply ( wheat)

56
Q

What are Xerophytes?

A

Plants that grow in extremely dry conditions. (aloe)

57
Q

Give 4 adaptions of Xerophytes.

A
  • Small leaves to reduce water loss
  • Thorns to reduce water loss
  • Thick, fleshy roots to store water
  • Waxy cuticle to protect living tissue
58
Q

Give 4 adaptions of Hydrophytes.

A
  • Large,flat leaves to float
  • Waxy cuticle for water runoff
  • Little/no xylem
  • Many stomata to speed up transpiration.
59
Q

Give 4 animal adaptions to conserve water.

A
  • Dry,scaly skin to reduce water loss
  • Very concentrated urine
  • Burrow into ground when hot
  • Nocturnal
60
Q

What is the air mostly made up of?

A
  • 78% Nitrogen
  • 21% Oxygen
  • 0,04% CO2
  • 0,96% Other
61
Q

Give 4 effects of wind.

A
  • Rainfall
  • Increase transpiration rate
  • Seed dispersal
  • Pollination
62
Q

What are Biotic factors?

A

All living organisms in an ecosystem

63
Q

What are the 3 levels of Biotic factors?

A
  • Producers
  • Consumers
  • Decomposers
64
Q

Why are green plants producers?

A

Contain chlorophyll and can produce their own organic food through photosynthesis

65
Q

On what trophic level are producers?

A

Autotrophic

66
Q

On what trophic level are Consumers?

A

Heterotrophic

67
Q

Name the 3 types of Consumers.

A
  • Primary (herbivores)
  • Secondary (Carnivores+Omnivores)
  • Tertiary ( Carnivores)
68
Q

What do Decomposers do?

A

Break down organic compounds into simple inorganic compounds that are released back into the environment.

69
Q

On what trophic level are Decomposers?

A

Heterotrophic

70
Q

Explain Energy flow.

A
  • Energy flows in 1 direction
  • Radiant energy from sun is converted into chemical potential energy during photosynthesis and glucose sorted in green plants.
  • Prm cnsmrs obtain energy from plants
  • Secondary eat primary
  • Tertiary eat secondary
  • Producers and consumers are decomposed by bacteria and fungi and energy is released into the environment.
71
Q

What is a Food chain?

A

Transfer of energy from the sun through the green plants and the various consumers.

72
Q

What is a Food web?

A

Consists of all food chains in an ecosystem.

73
Q

Give 3 things organisms use energy for.

A
  • Growth
  • Lost as heat energy through respiration
  • Urine and faeces
74
Q

Name the 3 types of Ecological pyramids.

A
  • Number
  • Biomass
  • Energy
75
Q

What is a pyramid of numbers?

A

No. of organisms at each level

76
Q

What is a pyramid of Biomass?

A

Mass of biological material at each level

77
Q

What is a pyramid of energy?

A

Amount of energy passing through each level

78
Q

List the 4 Nutrient cycles.

A
  1. Water
  2. Oxygen
  3. Nitrogen
  4. Carbon
79
Q

Name the 6 processes in the Water cycle.

A
  1. Evaporation
  2. Transpiration
  3. Condensation
  4. Precipitation
  5. Infiltration
  6. Melting and freezing
80
Q

Name the 2 processes in the Oxygen cycle.

A
  1. Breathing and respiration
  2. Photosynthesis
81
Q

Name the 7 processes in the Nitrogen cycle.

A
  1. Lightning
  2. Absorption
  3. Ingestion
  4. Decomposition
  5. Ammonification
  6. Nitrification
  7. Dentrification
82
Q

Name the 4 processes in the Carbon cycle.

A
  1. Combustion
  2. Photosynthesis
  3. Cellular respiration
  4. Decomposition
83
Q

Provide the definition of Nitrification.

A

Process during which ammonia is processes to form nitrites and ventually nitrates.

84
Q

Provide the definition of Dentrification.

A

Process by which ammonia and nitrates are converted to free nitrogen gas in the atmosphere.

85
Q

Provide the definition of a Consumer.

A

Heterotrophic organisms that are directly/indirectly dependent on producers for their carbohydrate food.

86
Q

Provide the definition of Decomposers.

A

Saprophytic bacteria and fungi that feed on dead organic material.

Bio (11 decks)

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