B17 Organising an ecosystem Flashcards
what does an arrow mean in a diagram for a food chain?
an arrow represents the flow of energy
what are producers?
Producers are organisms that can produce biomes (organic material) for themselves. Most producers do this using photosynthesis.
what are consumers?
Consumers are organisms that have to consume (‘eat’) other organisms. The first consumer in a chain is a primary consumer, then secondary consumer and then tertiary. Consumers that are eaten are known as prey.
what does a stable ecosystem have?
A stable ecosystem is where the population of predators and prey will tend to rise and fall in cycles.
Define the term predator.
Consumers that eat other animals are known as predators. Predators are always secondary consumers or above.
Define the term prey.
Prey animals are often primary consumers but they may be secondary or even tertiary consumers in different food chains.
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 to 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 cycle important?
The water cycle is important because it provides fresh water for plants and animals on land before draining into the seas. Water is continuously evaporated, condensed, and precipitated.
What are decomposers?
A group of organisms known as the decomposers break down the waste and the dead animals and plants.
What do decomposers feed on?
The decomposer are a group of microorganisms that include bacteria and fungi. They feed on waste droppings and dead organisms.
Why is decomposition important (what does it do)?
Decomposers return mineral ions, including nitrates, to the soil. Plants take them ip through their roots and use them to make proteins and other chemicals in their cells.
What are detritovores?
Detritus feeders, or detritivores, such as maggots and some types of worms and beetles, often start the process of decay.
What sort of chemical elements are recycled by decomposers?
The chemicals that make up living organisms are made up mainly of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. These are the elements that need to be recycled to provide the building materials for all new life on Earth.
