Biology (Ecology) End of Year Exam Grade 9

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

(a sub category of a biome)
A community and its abiotic environment
- all the living and non living things in an area

Question 2

Community

Answer 2

A group of populations living and interacting with each other in an area

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

A group of organisms of the same species, living in the same area at the same time (Ex: cows, humans, etc…)

Question 4

Species

Answer 4

A group of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile, viable offspring, that is fertile (meaning it can reproduce)

Question 5

Biomes

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Global systems

Answer 6

Atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere

Question 7

Atmosphere

Answer 7

All the gasses that surround Earth

Question 8

Biosphere

Answer 8

All living organisms and the environment they live in

Question 9

Hydrosphere

Answer 9

All earth’s freshwater and salt water, including water vapor and rain in the atmosphere, water underground and ice.

Question 10

Geoshpere

Answer 10

All the “usually solid stuff” - rocks, continents, and the ocean floor. Deep inside Earth, portions of the geosphere are liquid

Question 11

Climate change

Answer 11

The changing of climate in every biome
- what increases it: increase carbon dioxide (green house gas, traps heat in our environment

Question 12

Climate

Answer 12

Defined by patterns and averages of temperature, precipitation, clouds and wind

Question 13

Weather

Answer 13

Consists of short term changes in temperature, precipitation, clouds and wind from day to day, or minute to minute

Question 14

Carbon cycle

Answer 14

Carbon is exchanged between the four spheres of the earth

Question 15

Processes that involve CO2

Answer 15

*Refer back to page 21 for diagram
Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
Combustion
Fossil Fuels

Question 16

Greenhouse gases

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

Problems when temperature rises

Answer 17

Increased natural disasters
Increase in ocean acidification

Question 18

Factors affecting carbon fluxes

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Fossil fuels

Answer 19

a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms

Question 20

Non renewable energy

Answer 20

(limited)
Once we run out, we are done
Examples: oil, coal, natural gas

Question 21

Alternatives for renewable energy

Answer 21

(environmentally friendly)
Solar panels
Windmills
Water energy

Question 22

Coal

Answer 22

When organic matter is not fully decomposed, carbon-rich molecules remain in the soil and form peat

Question 23

Oil and gas

Answer 23

Oil (ex: petroleum) and natural. gas form as the result of the decay of marine organisms on the ocean floor

Question 24

Causes of global change

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Sustainable

Answer 25

The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time

Question 26

Landfills

Answer 26

Release methane because the waste isn’t able to disintegrate

Question 27

Heterotroph

Answer 27

Consumers (carnivores)

Question 28

Autotroph

Answer 28

Self-feeding

Question 29

Animal groups

Answer 29

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)

Question 30

Food chain

Answer 30

a linear feeding relationship

Question 31

Trophic levels

Answer 31

the position an organism occupies within a feeding sequence
Level 1: Producer
Level 2: Primary consumer
Level 3: Secondary consumer
Level 4: Tertiary consumer

Question 32

Energy pyramid (see page 29 for diagram)

Answer 32

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