B16 Ecosystems Flashcards
What is a Producer?
Producers are organisms that make their own organic nutrients (food) - usually using energy from sunlight. Green plants make their food by photosynthesis .
What is a Consumer?
they all get their energy by consuming other organisms.
What is a Predator
A predator is an animal that hunts, kills and eats other animals for food.
What is a prey?
Prey is a term used to describe organisms that predators kill for food.
What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?
plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and form it into sugar, starch and other organic compounds. This is the only process in the cycle that decreases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What is the role of respiration in the carbon cycle ?
when living organisms (plants, animals and decomposers) respire they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (this is a form of excretion ).
What is the role of combustion in the carbon cycle?
the burning of fossil fuels releases stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
What chemical elements are recycled when animals and plants decay?
Carbon dioxide and mineral ions
Why must material in the living world be recycled?
To provide building blocks for future organisms
Who uses carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and what for?
Used by plants for photosynthesis
Why is the water cycle important?
Provides fresh water for plants and animals on land before draining into the seas.
What are decomposers?
Decomposers return mineral ions,including nitrates, to the soil.
What do decomposers feed on?
Eat dead animals and produce waste materials
Why is decomposition important
(what does it do)?
Recycle elements to provide the building materials
What are detritovores?
Maggots and some types of worms and beetles often start the process of decay
What sort of chemical elements are
recycled by decomposers?
Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen
Why is water important ?
Water is vital for life the water vital provides fresh water for animals and plants on land before draining into the sea and ocean
Describe what happens during
evaporation.
The sun heats the Earth’s surface and water is turned from a liquid into water vapour , forming warm moist air
Describe what happens during
condensation.
as moist air rises it cools. Water vapour condenses back into liquid water droplets producing clouds
Describe what happens during
precipitation.
as water droplets in clouds get heavier they fall as rain , snow or hail
Describe what happens during
transpiration and respiration.
loss of water vapour from plants and animals directly to the atmosphere
Describe what happens during
percolation.
water trickles through gaps in soils and rocks
