Biosphere and Geological Cycles Flashcards
Ecosystem
the interaction between the abiotic and biotoc components of the biosphere
Within each ecosystem organisms can organize themselves into…
individual –> population –> community –> ecosystem
Ecologist
study the biosphere, starting with individual parts up to the whole. Studies how organisms with their biotic and abiotic components and how they interact with eachother
Fossil fuel energy
coal, oil, gas
hot core and volcanoes energy
massive amounts of energy, but barely harnessed at this time
Moon energy
gravitational force transferred to tides, harnessed in some areas of the world
Water energy
use the hydropower stations for much of our electricity in the world
First law of thermodynamics
Energy and heat can never be created or destroyed, only change forms
Second law of thermodynamics
Energy converted to heat is always lost as entropy
Is energy a cycle?
No bro
Energy can be followed with these three methods
- Food chains
- Food webs
- Pyramids
Food chain
linear organization that shows the movement of energy from the producer through the various levels of consumers. No omnivores.
Autotroph
Makes own food
What percent of energy is used to make ATP?
54%. The rest is heat entropy
Trophic level
How many energy transfers you are from the producer From sun to producer counts as energy transfer
Order of consumers
Producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer, quaternary consumer, saprovore/decomposer. Begin counting from animal that eats producer
Rule of 10
Only ten percent of energy from an organism is given to its consumer. Move decimal place back one, duh.
Types of consumers
Herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, autotrophs
Food web
interconnected food chain
Pyramid of Numbers
- Estimate of populations at each trophic level in a food chain or web
- No units
- can be inverted
Pyramid of Biomass
- an estimate of DRY biomass is calculated for each trophic level and a pyramid is made from this
- has units
- can be inverted
Pyramid of Energy
- demonstrates the flow of energy, so the trophic level with the greatest amount of energy will always be the producers
- no inversions
- has units (kJ)
How much sunlight do photosynthesizing plants capture
1-2%
Biologist
studies complex BIOTIC only organsism from individual cells to the functioning body
How does temperature affect an organisms ability to thrive
- affects photosynthesis rate in plants, germination, and flowering
- affects body temperature which is essential for survival
Homeotherm
warm blooded. Capable at maintaining its own body temperature
Poikilotherm
cold blooded. Body temperature dependent on the environment
How does moisture affect an organisms ability to thrive
- most important (precipitation, humidity, moisture content in soil)
How does pH affect an organisms ability to thrive
- all organisms are designed to live within certain pH values
What is the pH of rainwater
5.4
How does wind affect an organisms ability to thrive
- generates currents in water to bring O2 in and drying agent on land
How does Sun exposure affect an organisms ability to thrive
- affects plant growth, temperature, water movement
How does nutrient level affect an organisms ability to thrive
- as found in soil or dissolved in an aquatic environment
How does water turbidity affect an organisms ability to thrive
- affects penetration of sunlight into water for plants
Turbidity
if something is very turbid, then it is not very transparent. Kinda the opposite of it, i guess.
How does dissolved oxygen affect an organisms ability to thrive
- determines which aquatic species will be living in an aquatic environment
How does dissolved compounds affect an organisms ability to thrive
- can affect survival of species
eg: chlorides, nitrates, phosphates (sewage), or salinity (salt content)
Factors affecting ecological pyramids
- Seasonal changes alter the amount of energy found in pyramid (migration, hibernation)
- large scale natural changes in environment (eg: fire)
- Human induced disturbances (pollutants, clearing land)
Monoculture
growth of one single species. Reduces biodiversity in the environment which means the species is more susceptible to disease and extinction.
Biomagnification
Concentration (of pesticides) as you move higher up the food chain.
Lithosphere
land area
hydrosphere
water area
atmosphere
air (N2=78%, O2=21%, Other=1%)
Troposphere
- 80% of atmosphere’s mass (vapour, dust etc)
- convection currents occur here, resulting in weather
Stratosphere
- weather here is stable
- ozone is created here (one way is thru lightning)
- ozone absorbed UV radiation
Mesosphere
- limit of the “true atmosphere”
- temperature at top is -113 degrees C
Ionosphere
- absorbs deadly X-rays and gamma rays produced by solar radiation
- produces the aurora borealis
Magnetosphere
- contains magnetic bands caused by the earths magnetic field
- trap and/or deflect lethal particles emitted by the Sun or from interstellar space
Albedo
reflective ability of surface
Cycles you should know
Hydrological, Carbon and Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen. K memorize them bro
What is the universal solvent
water
Adhesion vs Cohesion
Adhesion is the ability to stick to something else, while cohesion is the ability to stick together
When is water densest
4 degrees C. Important for water temperature
Eutrophication
Growth of algae blooms
Nitrogen Fixation
turning the triple bonded nitrogen to a useable state.
Nitrifying bacteria
bacteria that performs nitrogen fixation
Ammonification
The process of nitrifying bacteria in soil to turn N2 into a useable state
Denitrification
turning nitrite or nitrite back to N2
What form of N do plants use?
Nitrate
carbon sink
a reservoir that holds more carbon than it releases, thereby lowering the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.
