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GCSE Biology > B8 Ecology In Action > Flashcards

B8 Ecology In Action Flashcards

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1
Q

Ecosystems

A

The interaction of a community of organisms with the non living parts of their environment

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2
Q

Self supporting

A

Has all the requirements for living organisms to grow and survive are present
Need an external energy resource (the sun)

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3
Q

Interdependence

A

Relying on other species for survival

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4
Q

Natural ecosystem

A

Oceans
Lakes
Puddles
Rainforest

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5
Q

Artificial ecosystem

A

Fish farms
Zoo
Planted forests

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6
Q

Biodiversity

A

The range of different plant and animal species living in an ecosystem
Producers, consumers and decomposers

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7
Q

Population

A

Total number of one species living in an ecosystem

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8
Q

Community

A

All the plants and animals living in an ecosystem

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9
Q

Habitat

A

Where an organism lives in the ecosystem is its habitat

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10
Q

High biodiversity is important because

A

Wide variation of food sources reducing the dependence of a species on a particular food source
Provides Food, water, medicine, atmosphere and water

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11
Q

Abiotic factors

A 
Physical (non living) conditions that affect the distribution of an organism like:
Temperature
Light intensity 
Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
Moisture levels
pH and mineral content for plants 
Wind intensity and direction
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12
Q

Biotic factors

A 
Living organisms affecting other populations in their ecosystem like:
Food availability 
New pathogen
New predators
Competition between species
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13
Q

Looking at changes

A

the number and type of organism can gradually change across a habitat
Can be easily seen on the sea shore, where there are distinct zones of organisms due to changing tides

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14
Q

How does the distribution of species change

A

Little grazing= few plants to out compete others
Grazing increases= more plants grow as dominant plants are controlled by animals so weaker plants can grow
Only specially adapted plants can resist the effect of intensive grazing and survive

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15
Q

A stable community

A

Where the biotic and abiotic factors are in balance so that the population sizes remain fairly constant

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16
Q

Food chain

A 
Energy
Producer
Primary consumer
Secondary consumer
Tertiary consumer
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17
Q

Parasitism

A

One organism lives of the host

If a parasite kills their host they die too

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18
Q

Population cycles

A

The number of predators (population) follows the size of the preys population

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19
Q

Trophic levels

A 
Describes the feeding position in food chains 
Level 1 producers
Level 2 herbivores 
Level 3 carnivores 
Level 4 carnivores (apex predators)
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20
Q

Extracellular digestion

A

Decomposers Break down dead plant and animal matter
They secrete enzymes onto food to digest it
The digested food molecules then diffuse into the microorganism
Happens outside the cell

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21
Q

Using pyramids

A

Has producers at the bottom and works up to consumers

It shows how much is required of each Trophic level for the species to gain enough energy

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22
Q

Biomass pyramids

A

Show the amount of energy in a trophic level more accurately than pyramids of number

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23
Q

Problems with biomass pyramids

A

Organisms need to be collected and killed to measure dry mass
It is difficult to catch and weigh the organisms
Biomass varies. A tree in the summer has more biomass than it does in the winter
Some organisms are omnivores and feed at more than one trophies level

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24
Q

How is biomass lost

A

Some plant material, which can not be digested, leaves as the body faeces
Some animal material can not be digested eg. Bones, horns, teeth etc.
Biomass eaten by animals is also used in respiration to release energy, and leaves the animal as carbon dioxide and water

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25
Q

Biomass lost in animals

A

Herbivores need to eat more as plants take longer to digest
Whereas carnivores eat less meat as it is easier to digest
Animals use lots of glucose and lose CO2 and water to surroundings in respiration
More movement means more biomass used
Biomass is used to regulate body temperature

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26
Q

Energy transfers

A

Energy transferred between organisms is about 10% at each tropic level

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27
Q

Plants compete for:

A

Light
Space
Water
Mineral ions

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28
Q

Animals compete for:

A

Food
Water
Mates
Territory

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29
Q

The more resources

A

The more successful the species is to survive

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30
Q

A less successful species may

A

Do nothing and become extinct
Stay in it’s habitat but adopt new survival strategies
Move to another area looking for resources

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31
Q

Interspecific competition

A

Competition between different species

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32
Q

Intraspecific competition

A

Competition within one species
May result in territorial behaviour
More significant than interspecific competition

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33
Q

RP: measure the population size of a common species in a habitat

A

Random sampling with repetition
The number of daisies in trampled and Untrampled land
Use a quadrat and a tape measure

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34
Q

Why are adaptations important?

A

Help allow them to survive and be successful within their habitat

35
Q

Camouflage

A

Blending in with surroundings so that prey or predators can not be seen

36
Q

Behavioural adaptations in hot temperatures

A

Active during cooler mornings
Move to shady areas to keep cool
Remain in burrows as temperatures are more stable

37
Q

Behavioural adaptations in cold temperatures

A

Hibernate over the winter when food is scare
Metabolic rate is lowered to reduce the need for food
Migrate to warmer countries where there is more food

38
Q

Adaptations of Plants in hot temperatures

A

Reduced surface area

Storing water in their tissues

39
Q

Adaptations of plants in cold temperatures

A

Growing closer to the ground

Having smaller leaves

40
Q

Extremophiles

A

Organisms that can survive in extreme environments such as:
Very high/low temperatures
High slay concentrations in water
High pressures

41
Q

Adaptations of plants in drier conditions

A

Reduced surface area
Storing water
Extensive root systems that are wide or deep

42
Q

Adaptations of cacti

A 
Spine like leaves to reduce surface area
Fleshy stem
Extensive shallow roots
Thick waterproof cuticle 
Round shape resolute surface area to volume ratio
43
Q

Epiphytes

A

Grow in rain forest and grow above the ground
They grow on other plants allowing leaves to absorb sunlight through trees
Having roots that’s absorb rain and moisture from humidity and minerals from leaf litter
Having upturned leaves to store water

44
Q

The water cycle

A

Evaporation- water is heated by the suns energy and water vapour is carried up in conventional currents
Condensation- water vapour rises, cools and condenses back into water droplets that form clouds
Precipitation- water droplets in clouds get bigger and heavier, they fall as rain, snow or sleet
Transpiration- water vapour is realised into the air through stomata in leaves

45
Q

The water cycle is important because it circulates water that:

A

Maintains habitats
Maintains internal fluids and transport systems
Is needed for chemical reactions
Is a reactant in photosynthesis

46
Q

Factors that speed up decay

A

Plenty of microbes
Warmth
Plenty of oxygen
Some moisture

47
Q

Carbon

A

In fossil fuels and carbonate rocks
Dissolved in rivers, lakes and oceans
Small amount in the air CO2
Used to make carbohydrates, proteins, fats and DNA that form new biomass which is eaten by consumers

48
Q

Carbon cycle

A

Fossil fuels are burned
Carbon dioxide is released
Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air through photosynthesis
The plants die they decompose and become aquatic biomass and limestone

49
Q

Carbon stores

A

Shells contain carbonates
They die and fall to the sea floor
Over millions of years they compress to form limestone
Carbon dioxide reacts with rain to form carbonic acid. This acid train erodes limestone and releases carbon dioxide

Can be held in carbon sinks and then released in huge amounts during volcanic eruptions and forest fires

50
Q

Biogas

A

Produced in marshes, septic tanks and sewers

Cheap fuel source for cooking, heating, electricity, and fuel for vehicles

51
Q

Gases contained in biogas

A

Methane (50-75%)
Carbon dioxide (15-45%)
Water vapour
Small amounts of other gases

52
Q

RP: investigating the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring pH change

A

Milk and sodium carbonate are added to water
A lipase (enzyme) is added
Use a pipette of 10cm3
Heat solutions to different temperatures
Use a phenolphthalein indicator ( pink in solutions of pH 10)
Changes indicator from pink to colourless
The lower the temperature of the solution the quicker the pH level falls

53
Q

Environmental changes can be

A

Natural- caused by season changes or geographic location

Caused by humans

54
Q

Season changes impact

A

Low temps and food shortages cause some animals to migrate, hibernate or have a dormant stage

Hot seasons may cause drought, rainy seasons may cause flooding

Hot temperatures reduce the available oxygen in water

55
Q

Geographic changes impacts

A

Land bridges sinking and stopping animals from moving between continents
Global warming causes mountainous regions to become warmer, mountain species are having to compete with lowland species whose habitats are extending upwards
Seas are becoming more acidic and warmer so Shells of calcareous organisms are dissolving and becoming thinner
Erosion by rivers and tides may gradually destroy habitats

56
Q

Environmental change by humans

A

Burning fossil fuels causes global warming. Higher sea temperatures are associated with lower dissolved oxygen levels
Intensive farming causes desert regions
Dredging sea beds for building has endangered some marine ecosystems

57
Q

Impact of rising sea temperatures

A

Global warming means that sea temperatures are getting too higher which is bleaching corals
Algae living in them can not survive
20% of coral reefs have been destroyed in 50 years

58
Q

Human propulsion growth means we use more land for

A

Farming
Building
Quarrying
Dumping waste

59
Q

Eutrophication

A

When water containing lots of fertilisers or sewage goes into a river. These minerals increase the growth of algae. This prevents sunlight from reaching species in the water
The plants and algae die.
Bacteria repute as they breakdown dead plants and use up oxygen in the water
Other organisms in the water die due to the lack of oxygen

60
Q

deforestation is happening to:

A

Provide land for cattle and rice fields

Grow crops eg. Plan oil and sugar cane to make biofuels. They are sometimes grown at the expense of food crops

61
Q

Peat

A

When decomposes can not break down plant material in acidic conditions with little oxygen
Is a store of carbon
Can be used as a fuel or as cheap compost for gardeners

62
Q

The mass destruction of trees has:

A

Increased the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere ( due to burning and the respiration of microorganisms that are decaying the remaining plant material)
Reduce the rate that CO2 is removed from the atmosphere (by photosynthesis)
Reduced biodiversity; some of the lost plants and animals may have been more useful in the future
Increased methane in the atmosphere because cleared land is used to grow rice in swamp like fields

63
Q

There is a massive conflict between:

A

The need for deforestation to increase land available for food production
The use of leaf as cheap compost to increase food production
The need to conserve forests and pear lands as habitats for biodiversity
The need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from using pear as a fuel and from burning fossil fuels

64
Q

Global warming

A

The average global temperature of the earth and its atmosphere is increasing

65
Q

What causes global warming

A

Increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and methane

66
Q

Why have CO2 and methane levels increased so much over the last 150 years?

A

Power plants burning fossil fuels
Petrol is used as fuel in vehicles
Rice crops and cattle farming are increasing
Deforestation and destruction of peatlands are increasing

67
Q

Wasted

A

Waste substances like: sewage, smoke, toxic gases, herbicides, pesticides, fertilisers, lead, paper, cardboard and plastic products can kill plants and animals, reducing biodiversity

68
Q

Effects of acid rain

A

Damages leave and roots of plants
Washes mineral ions out of soil causing mineral deficiencies in plants
Washes aluminium ions from soil into lakes which affect gills in fish so they die
Acidifies waterways so aquatic organisms can not survive
Can travel in air, acid rain produced in uk effects trees and fjords in Norway

69
Q

Indicator species

A

Organisms are sensitive to abiotic factors. If the conditions change the distribution of organisms can also change. So some organisms are used to measure environmental change

70
Q

Pollution levels are also directly measured using

A

Probes attached to computers to measure precise conditions eg. pH, temperature, oxygen and CO2 levels
Special tests to indicate levels of different chemicals such as nitrates

71
Q

Measures to protect ecosystems

A

Introducing breeding programs for endangered species
The protection and regeneration of rare habitats
Re introducing field margins and hedgerows on farmland where mono cultures are grown.
Hedgerows are a habitat for many wild species
Reducing deforestation and replanting trees
Recycling instead of dumping
Cloning plant species

72
Q

Conservation programs are introduced

A

Moral responsibility to protect endangered species
More plant species can be identified for medicines
Minimise damage to food chains and webs
Protect future food supplies

73
Q

Protecting rare habitats have many challenges

A

Ensuring long term funding
Having qualified scientists who understand the issues
Animal and plants do not recognise boundaries
Many organisms and governments may be involved, working locally, nationally and internationally
Lack of policing of protected areas

74
Q

Food security

A

When all people have access to consistent supplies of safe and nutritious food to meet their needs for an active healthy lifestyle. Food must be available,affordable and useable

75
Q

Factors that affect food insecurity

A 
Increasing birth rate
Changing diets in developing countries 
New pests and pathogen's affect farming
Environmental changes
Cost of agricultural inputs
Conflicts and war
76
Q

Modern farming methods

A

Use machines and chemicals to produce larger yields
Use fertilisers
Insect excises and fungicides to kill pests and herbicides to kill weeds
Growing plants in greenhouses
Using hydroponics
Factory farming and fish farming

77
Q

Hydroponics advantages

A

Mineral supply controlled and recycled
Cheaper as no pollution risk to waterways
System is covered so control conditions and disease is improved

78
Q

Sustainable fisheries created by

A

Fishing quotas to conserve stocks at sustainable levels

Control size of net to ensure that young fish mature and breed

79
Q

Efficiency of intensive farming is increased by

A

Killing weeds to reduce competition with crops
Fewer animal pests to eat crops or cause disease in livestock
Feeding animals high protein foods to increase growth
Restricting movement so biomass isn’t lost and energy can be used for growth
Controlling temperatures reduces energy that animal uses to maintain a constant body temperature

80
Q

Mass production of animals for food causes suffering through

A

Close confinement increases risk of disease
Lack of movement
Nature of the pens and cages
Poor transportation or slaughtering techniques

81
Q

Biotechnology

A

Used in living organisms to make a product to improve the quality of life such as
GM crops
Human insulin
Mycoprotien ( a protein rich food)

82
Q

GM crops can be

A

Resistant to insect attack or to herbicides
Produce larger yields
Provide more food or more nutritious food
They are overall more efficient

83
Q

Fusarium

A

A fungus used to make a protein rich, low fat food called mycoprotein
It grows and reproduces rapidly on glucose syrup in aerobic conditions
It can double its biomass every 5 hours
It is almost tasteless and a range of textures and flavourings can be added to it

84
Q

Fermenters have

A

Constant oxygen supplies of fusarium to respire
Water jackets to remove heat produced during respiration
pH and temperature probes to monitor conditions and allow adjustments to be made quickly
Stirrers to spread heat, oxygen and syrup evenly through the vats and keep the fungus in suspension

GCSE Biology (8 decks)

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