B17 Flashcards
What is a predator?
An animal that naturally preys on others
What is prey?
An animal that is hunted and killed by another for food
What is a producer?
Organisms that can produce biomass for themselves, usually by photosynthesis
What is a consumer?
Organisms that have to consume other organisms
What are decomposers?
Decomposers are a group of microorganisms whom feed on waste droppings and dead organisms
What do decomposers feed on?
Waste droppings and dead organisms
Why is decomposition important
Chemicals that make up living organisms are recycled to be used to make all future living material.
What are detritovores?
They start the decaying process but also leave faeces for fungi to eat
What sort of chemical elements are recycled by decomposers?
Carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen
Describe what happens during evaporation.
Water is heated by the sun and rises into the air
Describe what happens during condensation.
Water cools and becomes water droplets
Describe what happens during precipitation.
The water has become heavey and starts falling back to earth.
Describe what happens during transpiration and respiration.
Water is released by the plant and rises
Describe what happens during percolation.
Fallen water infiltrates soil and rock.
What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis is the only way CO2 can be brought into living organisms as CO2 reacts with glucose in the plant to make energy and O2
What is the role of respiration in the carbon cycle?
When an animal respires the release CO2 into the atmosphere allowing plant to take in CO2 to use for photosynthesis
What is the role of combustion in the carbon cycle?
Combustion is when humans find fossil fuels in the Earth and use it to make electricity by burning it. This release an excess amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, warming up the planet
Conditions of Decay
Temperature
Moisture
Oxygen
How and why does Temperature effect the rate of decay?
Temperature effects the rate of decay in a similar way to how temperature effects the rate of reactions. As the temperature increases the rate of decay increases up to a point. However, if the temperature goes above 4O degrees, the rate of decay will stop as enzymes will denature.
How and why does moisture effect the rate of decay?
Most microorganisms grow faster in moist conditions. The moisture makes it easier for them to digest their food and prevent them from drying out.
How and why does oxygen effect the rate of decay?
Although most microorganisms are anaerobic, most decomposers respire aerobically. This means they need oxygen to transfer energy, grow and reproduce.
