5.1 How ecosystems operate Flashcards
1
Q
biotic meaning
A
relating to living things
2
Q
abiotic meaning
A
relating to non-living things
3
Q
biotic components in an ecosystem
A
- animals and insects
- plants
- microorganisms
4
Q
abiotic components in an ecosystem
A
- soil
- rock
- sun
- rain
- other climatic elements: wind and frost
5
Q
why are plants important in an ecosystem
A
provide food and shelter for animals
6
Q
why are rocks important in an ecosystem
A
- help in the formation of soil
- rock type is important
- weathering releases nutrients stored in rocks into an ecosystem
7
Q
why is soil important in an ecosystem
A
- stores water
- contains nutrients which plants can use
- home to insects and decomposers
8
Q
examples of micro-organisms
A
fungi and bacteria
9
Q
why are fungi and bacteria important in an ecosystem
A
- bacteria and fungi are decomposers
- help break down dead plants and animals, releasing nutrients into the ecosystem so they can be recycled
10
Q
ecosystem def
A
a community of plants and animals that interact with one another and their physical environment
11
Q
examples of interrelationships that link together biotic and abiotic in an ecosystem
A
- 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
12
Q
biome def
A
13
Q
producers def
A
14
Q
consumers def
A
15
Q
food chain def
A
