9.-Plants-and-their-Environment Flashcards
What is diffusion?
Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
What are molecules?
Molecules are two or more atoms bonded together.
What is a concentration gradient?
A concentration gradient is the difference in concentration of a substance between two areas.
What is a membrane?
A membrane is a thin layer that acts as a barrier between two environments.
What is dynamic equilibrium?
Dynamic equilibrium is a state of balance where opposing processes occur at equal rates.
What is Brownian motion?
Brownian motion is the random jiggling movement of particles suspended in a fluid.
What factors affect plant growth and distribution?
Factors include environmental conditions, nutrient availability, and human impacts.
What is trampling?
Trampling by humans or cattle can lead to an uneven distribution of plants.
What is over-harvesting?
Over-harvesting depletes the soil of nutrients, making it difficult for plants to grow.
How does pollution affect plants?
Pollution, such as acid rain, can make soils too acidic, harming plant growth.
What are the effects of using chemicals on plants?
Chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers can affect plant growth and reduce biodiversity.
What is habitat destruction?
Habitat destruction includes deforestation or land clearing for development or agriculture.
What are monocultures?
Monocultures involve growing only one type of plant, depleting soil minerals essential for growth.
What is the ideal pH range for most plants?
Most plants grow best in neutral or slightly acidic soil with a pH ranging between 4.5 and 7.5.
Why is soil aeration important?
Soil aeration is important for respiration of plants and microorganisms, nutrient absorption, and disease prevention.
What role does light intensity play in plant growth?
Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis, and plants grow more quickly in summer with more sunlight.
How does temperature affect plant growth?
Some plants thrive in cooler climates while others prefer warmer climates; extremes can hinder growth.
Why is water important for plants?
Water is essential for survival, photosynthesis, and nutrient transport in plants.
What happens if soils become water-logged?
Water-logged soils can cause roots to rot, killing the plant.
How do plants adapt to water scarcity?
Plants like cacti have adaptations such as reduced leaves to minimize water loss.
What are mineral ions?
Mineral ions are essential for healthy plant growth and are taken up by roots from the soil.
What is random sampling?
Random sampling is used to avoid bias in selecting areas for studying plant distribution.
What is a quadrat?
A quadrat is a square frame used in sampling to study plant distribution in a habitat.
What are line transects?
Line transects are used for large habitats to record plants touching a stretched tape measure.
What are point frames?
Point frames are used to estimate percentage cover of plants by recording those touching long needles.
How does sample size affect research conclusions?
Larger habitats require more samples for valid conclusions, but time constraints may limit sampling.
