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QCAA Biology Units 3&4 > Biology U3 T2 - Ecosystem Dynamics > Flashcards

Biology U3 T2 - Ecosystem Dynamics Flashcards

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1
Q

Biomass is…

A

the total dry mass of all living matter in an area

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2
Q

Explain the transfer from sunlight to biomass

A

Solar energy is converted into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Heat and energy is lost as assimilation occurs between the producers, consumers, and decomposers.

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3
Q

What is a food chain, food web, and food pyramid?

A

A food chain is a linear network
A food web is an interconnected representation
A food pyramid shows the ecological hierarchy

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4
Q

Primary productivity is…

A

the rate at which photosynthetic organisms (producers) produce organic compounds

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5
Q

Gross primary productivity is…

A

the entire production of organic compounds in an ecosystem from photosynthetic organisms

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6
Q

Net primary productivity is…

A

the remaining organic materials after photosynthetic organisms have fulfilled energy needs. This is the amount of organic matter available to herbivores

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7
Q

How to calculate percentage efficiency?

A

(amount of energy received in level)/(amount of energy in previous level) x 100

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8
Q

What are the transfers and transformations in the water cycle?

A

Evaporation (transformation)
Condensation (transformation)
Precipitation (transfer)
Transportation (transfer)

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9
Q

What are the transfers and transformations in the carbon cycle?

A

Photosynthesis (transformation)
Cellular respiration (transformation)
Decomposition (transformation)
Combustion (transformation)

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10
Q

What are the transfers and transformations in the nitrogen cycle?

A

Nitrogen fixation (transformation)
Ammonification (transformation)
Nitrification (transformation)
Denitrification (transformation)

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11
Q

An ecological niche is…

A

how and where an organism lives and interacts with other organisms and the abiotic environment. This includes structural, behavioural and physiological adaptations

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12
Q

Competitive exclusion is…

A

the principle that two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely

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13
Q

A keystone species is…

A

a species that is critical for the survival of the ecosystem (apex predators, ecosystem engineers, mutualists)

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14
Q

What would happen if a keystone species were to be removed from the ecosystem?

A

Removing a keystone species from the ecosystem would result in other species not being able to fulfil their niche and the ecosystem undergoing radical change

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15
Q

Carrying capacity is…

A

the size of the population that can be supported indefinitely on the available resources and services of that ecosystem

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16
Q

Limiting factors are…

A

necessary resources that are present in small quantities
* Density-dependent
o Determined by size of population
o Species interactions, disease
* Density-independent
o Will affect population regardless of size
o Natural disasters, weather, pollutions, food availability

17
Q

What is the formula for population growth?

A

Population growth rate = (birth + immigration) – (death + emigration)

18
Q

What is the Lincoln Index formula?

A

Estimated population = (tagged in sample 1 x caught in sample 2)/(number in sample 2 already tagged)

19
Q

How do limiting factors affect carrying capacity?

A

Limiting factors prevent a population from exceeding carrying capacity

20
Q

Ecological succession is…

A

the gradual evolution of an ecosystem

21
Q

A sere is…

A

a community with recognisable characteristics

21
Q

A pioneer community…

A

includes pioneer species

22
Q

A climax community is…

A

stable and self-perpetuating

23
Q

Primary succession

A

the initial development in plant communities and changes over time

24
Q

Secondary succession

A

occurs in an area that was vegetated but has been disturbed, faster than primary succession

25
Q

What is a pioneer species?

A

First species to colonise an area. Lacks competition, can fixate nitrogen, tolerant of extreme conditions, photosynthetic, r-strategists

26
Q

Temporal and spatial succession

A

Temporal - changes over a period of time
Spatial - changes in an area

27
Q

How does human activity impact the ecosystem?

A

humans change land usage and overexploit resources

QCAA Biology Units 3&4 (4 decks)

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