Biology (Ecology) End of Year Exam Grade 9 Flashcards
Ecosystem
(a sub category of a biome)
A community and its abiotic environment
- all the living and non living things in an area
Community
A group of populations living and interacting with each other in an area
Population
A group of organisms of the same species, living in the same area at the same time (Ex: cows, humans, etc…)
Species
A group of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile, viable offspring, that is fertile (meaning it can reproduce)
Biomes
An area classified according to the species that live in that location.
Temperature range, soil type, and the amount of light and water are unique to a particular place
Global systems
Atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere
Atmosphere
All the gasses that surround Earth
Biosphere
All living organisms and the environment they live in
Hydrosphere
All earth’s freshwater and salt water, including water vapor and rain in the atmosphere, water underground and ice.
Geoshpere
All the “usually solid stuff” - rocks, continents, and the ocean floor. Deep inside Earth, portions of the geosphere are liquid
Climate change
The changing of climate in every biome
- what increases it: increase carbon dioxide (green house gas, traps heat in our environment
Climate
Defined by patterns and averages of temperature, precipitation, clouds and wind
Weather
Consists of short term changes in temperature, precipitation, clouds and wind from day to day, or minute to minute
Carbon cycle
Carbon is exchanged between the four spheres of the earth
Processes that involve CO2
*Refer back to page 21 for diagram
Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
Combustion
Fossil Fuels
Greenhouse gases
- Carbon dioxide (56%): CO2 - people and animas
- Methane (8%): CH4 - From cows passing gas
- CFCs (13%) - From refrigerators
- Ozone (7%)
- Nitrous oxide (6%): NO - Exhaust of cars
- Water vapor (natural gas): H2O
Problems when temperature rises
Increased natural disasters
Increase in ocean acidification
Factors affecting carbon fluxes
Climate condition
- rate of photosynthesis
- melting ice caps
Natural events
- forest fires and volcanic eruptions
Human activity
- deforestation
- increased number of ruminant livestock
- burning of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels
a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
Non renewable energy
(limited)
Once we run out, we are done
Examples: oil, coal, natural gas
Alternatives for renewable energy
(environmentally friendly)
Solar panels
Windmills
Water energy
Coal
When organic matter is not fully decomposed, carbon-rich molecules remain in the soil and form peat
Oil and gas
Oil (ex: petroleum) and natural. gas form as the result of the decay of marine organisms on the ocean floor
Causes of global change
1) population growth = the need for more production of vehicles, food, etc.. which can cause population
2) Fishing and hunting = causing animals to go extinct
3) Urbanization = more deforestation to make room for more urban areas. The forest would usually reduce the CO2 emissions and produce oxygen
Sustainable
The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time
Landfills
Release methane because the waste isn’t able to disintegrate
Heterotroph
Consumers (carnivores)
Autotroph
Self-feeding
Animal groups
Carnivores, omnivores, herbivores, scavengers (consume the caracasses that have been killed), decomposers (feed by chemically breaking down organic matter), Detrivores (chew or grind detrius particles into smaller pieces)
Food chain
a linear feeding relationship
Trophic levels
the position an organism occupies within a feeding sequence
Level 1: Producer
Level 2: Primary consumer
Level 3: Secondary consumer
Level 4: Tertiary consumer
Energy pyramid (see page 29 for diagram)
10% of energy from the organism before is used.
*If a consumer was taken out:
- The tertiary population may decrease because they have less prey.
- The primary population may increase because of one less predator
