B16 Ecosystems Flashcards
Prey
an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food.
Predator
predators are those animals that hunt down, kill, and eat other animals.
Producer
produces are organisms that can produce biomass (organic material) for themselves. Most producers do this using photosynthesis.
Consumer’s
consumers are organisms that have to consume (eat) other organisms.
The first consumer in a chain is a primary consumer, then secondary, then tertiary.
Why must material in the living world be recycled?
Material in the living world is recycled to provide building blocks for future organisms.
What chemical elements are recycled when animals and plants decay?
Decay of dead animals and plants by microorganisms returns carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and mineral ions into the soil.
Who uses carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and what for?
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is used by plants in photosynthesis.
Why is the water cycle important?
The water cycle provides freshwater for plants and animals on land before draining into the seas. Water is continuously evaporated condensed and precipitated.
What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?
Green plants and algae remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis.They use the carbon from carbon dioxide to make carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
What is the role of respiration in the carbon cycle ?
Living organisms respire all the time. They use oxygen to breakdown glucose providing energy for the cells. Carbon dioxide as well as water is produced as a waste product. This is how carbon is returned into the atmosphere.
What is the role of combustion in the carbon cycle ?
When words of fossil fuels are burnt, Carbon dioxide is produced so we release some of that carbon back into the atmosphere.
