B17 Ecosystems Flashcards
What is a producer
They are organisms that can produce biomass (food or organic material) for themselves. It is mostly photosynthesis but sometimes kemosynthesis
What is a consumer
These are organisms that eat other organisms. They can be primary, secondary, tertiary or Quatiary
What is a predator
Consumers that kill and eat
What is prey
Consumers that are eaten
Why must material in the living world be recycled
To provide building blocks for future organisms
What chemicals are recycled when plants and animals decay
Water, carbon dioxide, mineral ions
Who uses carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and what for
Plants use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and to help them grow
Why is the water cycle important
It provides fresh water for animals and plants. Then is drains into the sea, evaporates, condensates, falls as precipitation then percolation and the cycle starts again.
What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?
Carbon dioxide in the air is removed by plants and algae in photosynthesis where they convert it into glucose (then turns into fats, carbs and proteins) and water.
What is the role of respiration in the carbon cycle
living organisms constantly respire releasing Co2 into the atmosphere and their waste also contains carbon compounds. Further more when they die and decompose by microorganisms, C02 is released.
What is the role of combustion in the carbon cycle?
The burning of wood and fossil fuels, adds carbon to the atmosphere, increasing global warming.
