5.1 How ecosystems operate Flashcards
biotic meaning
relating to living things
abiotic meaning
relating to non-living things
biotic components in an ecosystem
- animals and insects
- plants
- microorganisms
abiotic components in an ecosystem
- soil
- rock
- sun
- rain
- other climatic elements: wind and frost
why are plants important in an ecosystem
provide food for animals
why are rocks important in an ecosystem
- help in the formation of soil
- rock type is important
- weathering releases nutrients stored in rocks into an ecosystem
why is soil important in an ecosystem
- stores water
- contains nutrients which plants can use
- home to insects and decomposers
examples of micro-organisms
fungi and bacteria
why are fungi and bacteria important in an ecosystem
- bacteria and fungi are decomposers
- help break down dead plants and animals, releasing nutrients into the ecosystem so they can be recycled
ecosystem def
a community of plants and animals that interact with one another and their physical environment
examples of interrelationships that link together biotic and abiotic in an ecosystem
- physical linkages between the different parts of the ecosystem: eg animals eat plants
- chemical linkages eg mild acid in rainwater speed up the decay of dead leaves
biome def
areas of the planet with a similar climate and landscape, where similar animals and plants live
producers def
An organism or plant that is able to absorb energy from the sun through photosynthesis
consumers def
food chain def
Energy flows between living things when they eat or are eaten
Interdependency def
How living things affect each other and the environment
Two reasons why the biomass changes between each level in the food chain
Energy is lost through excretion, heat, movement
Entire organism is not consumed
