biosphere stuff Flashcards
ecology 3
- the study of living organisms in the natural environment
- how these organisms interact w one another
- how they interact w their non living environment
dynamic equilibrium and earth’s components 2
- the earth is described as a dynamic equilibrium, meaning that changes are continuously occurring in the system
- however, the components of the system have the ability to adjust to these changes without disturbing the entire system.
what is the biosphere? what does it include (areas kinda)
- it is a narrow zone surrounding the Earth that has life.
- includes lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air)
biotic vs abiotic components
biotic- living
abiotic- non-living
biotic ex and abiotic ex
biotic
- organic matter
- living things
- oysters
- zooplankton
- phytoplankton
abiotic
- climate
- temp
- sunlight
- soil
- humidity
- nutrient enrichment
matter vs energy
matter- everything that takes up space and has MASS
energy - the capacity to do work
matter and energy relationships
- matter and energy are essential components of the universe and living organisms
the biosphere is composed of a variety of ecosystems. each ecosystem has a STRUCTURE based on… 2
- energy flows
- matter cycles
biodiversity
a number of SPECIES in an ecosystem
population
groups of individuals of the SAME SPECIES. in the same AREA and the same TIME.
community
all the POPULATIONS (groups of same species) in an area
ecosystem
a unit of the biosphere including both a/biotic factors
what do all organisms need in order to live
energy
need for energy - photosynthesis 2
- energy is STORED through this process
- use the sun’s light energy to chemically convert carbon into carbohydrates
need for energy- cellular resp
animals, plants, and other species of organisms RELEASE energy this way
what is the ultimate source of energy? how much of the suns radiant energy reaches earth everyday?
-the sun
- about 10^22J
how is energy stored on earth
- energy is stored in ENERGY-RICH MOLECULES , like glucose and other carbohydrates, during the process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
how is enegry balanced on earth
- the balance of enegry on earth is between the STORAGE of energy-rich molecules and the USE of them. we see this through photosynthesis and cellular resp, which are complementary processes
how is energy involved w photosynthesis
plants convert LIGHT ENERGY into FOOD
how is energy involved w cellular resp
organisms convert CARBOHYDRATES into ENERGY
during CR, what kind of energy exits the ecosystem?
during photosynthesis, what kind of energy emters the ecosystem?
- heat energy
- light energy
chemosynthesis 2
- occurs in bacteria and other organisms. involves the use of energy RELEASED by INORGANIC CHEMICAL REACTIONS to produce food.
- all chemosynthetic organisms use the energy released by CHEMICAL REACTIONS to make sugar, but different species use different pathways.
ex of chemosynthesis at hydrothermal vents
vent bacteria OXIDIZE hydrogen sulfide, add co2, and produce..
sugar sulfur and h2o
CO2 + 4H2S + O2»_space; CH20 + 4S + 3H2O
CO2 + hydrogen sulfide + O2 > sugar + sulfur + 3H2O
what are in the 1-4 trophic levels? (ecosystem ENERGY flow)
SUN
1. biggest level cus it consists of the most energy. has producers (autotrophs)
2. herbivores (PRIMARY CONSUMERS). eat plants
3. carnivores (SECONDARY consumers). eat animals
4. carnivores (TERTIARY CONSUMERS)
trophic level
how far an organism is from the original energy source ( its feeding behavior). the original energy source for plants is the sun. for chemoautotrophs, its nonorganic energy sources.
autotrophs (producers) 3
- get energy from sunlight (photoautotroph) or nonorganic energy sources (chemoautotrophs)
- convert inorganic compounds (energy/light?) to organic forms (food)
- are the first trophic level in an ecosystem. supports all other organisms.
CHEMOautotroph 3.5
- they use other molecules (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia) to produce their food instead of the sun like photoautotrophs do
- they live deep underwater, in the soil, ocean floor
- this energy is emitted from HYDROTHERMAL vents near the edges of Earth’s crustal plates (ex: tube worms: survive on energy from bacteria)
how do heterotrophs (consumers) get their energy
they are organisms that derive their energy by consuming other organisms
primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers
primary: herbivores, only eat plants
secondary and tertiary: carnivores (eat animals) and omnivores (animals that eat both producers and consumers)
decomposers
an organism that breaks down organic wastes and the remains of dead organisms into simpler compounds such as co2, ammonia, and water (ex fungi)
scavenger
an organism that feeds on dead organisms or the wastes of organisms (vulture, seagull)
detritus
a dead particulate organic material (NOT DISSOLVED organic material). it typically includes the bodies or fragments of dead organisms as well as fecal material
detritivores
HETEROTROPHS that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (worms)
food chain. what does it show?
food chain: a linear illustration that represents the step sequence of who eats whom in the biosphere. used to show energy transfers or cycling of matter through the biosphere
food web
a series of INTERLOCKING food chains. more accurately represents energy pathways.
- a food web consists of ALL the food chains in a single ECOSYSTEM. each living thing in an ecosystem is part of MULTIPLE food chains. each food chain is one possible path that energy and nutrients may take as they move through the ecosystem.
what trophic levels do parasites, scavengers, and decomposers feed on?
all trophic levels (1-4)
terrestrial vs aquatic ecosystems
terrestrial: land based
aquatic: water based
what is the food web of a STABLE ECOSYSTEM?
most stable ecosystems have COMPLEX and WELL DEVELOPED food webs. the removal of one of its organisms may have little effect
when do an ecosystem’s food web begin to look like food chains?
- when abiotic factors limit the number of organisms, food webs begin to look more like food chains
- the lower the biodiversity (# of species), the simpler the food web and the ore vulnerable each organism is to changes in the ecosystem
what best explains the behaviour of energy
the laws of thermodynamics
first law of thermodynamics
energy cannot be created of destroyed, only changed from one form to another
second law of thermodynamics
with each successive energy transfer, less energy is available to do work (energy is LOST). in biological systems, this “waste” energy is often HEAT
how much energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next
around 10%. rest is lost as heat and used during cr
pyramid of numbers #
does it only have one shape?
- the number of animals in each trophic level in an ecosystem
- this type of pyramid can have a variety of shapes depending on the food web.
what organism always remains the highest in numbers regarding the pyramid of numbers
in a grassland, the pyramid is upright. in a forest, it is usually inverted or partly upright. in an aquatic, it is upright.
grassland: there is lots of grass and the number of herbivores it feeds are lesser number
forest: one tree can support lots of parasites and birds, since it is very large. there are large birds that soon feed on these animals in the above trophic level
aquatic: there are plenty of phytoplankton and less fish that feed on it
basically the bigger the consumer or organism, the less in numbers it is going to be in.
pyramids of biomass 2
biomass- the dry mass of the living or once-living organisms per unit area
- are good indicators of the amount of energy present in the living tissues
shapes for pyramids of biomass
in a land ecosystem (grassland and forest), the pyramid will be upright. in a pond or aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid will be inverted because phytoplankton are small.
pyramid of energy
total energy that is transferred through each trophic level
- is it ALWAYS upright, as there must be more energy at the bottom of the pyramid
pyramid of energy
total energy that is transferred through each trophic level
- is it ALWAYS upright, as there must be more energy at the bottom of the pyramid
pyramid of energy
total energy that is transferred through each trophic level
- is it ALWAYS upright, as there must be more energy at the bottom of the pyramid
could we feed a larger population of humans if we only ate plants
yes. this is because most of the energy in ecosystems is stored in primary producers. only about 10 percent of the energy at one energy level passes to the next trophic level, therefore less individuals can be fed at higher levels.
basically we just get more energy from plants than cattle
is energy and matter lost or recycles
energy is lost matter is recycled
closed system
nothing enters of leaves the ecosystem. earth is a closed system, as only energy enters and leaves. (of course besides occasional meteors)
extinct
a species formerly INDIGENOUS to vanada that no longer exists anywhere
extirpated
a species no longer existing in the wild in Canada but occurring somewhere else in the world
endangered
a species threatened with imminent extinction or extirpation throughout all or a significant portion of its Canadian range
threatened species
a species likely to become endangered in Canada if the factors affecting its vulnerability are not reversed
vulnerable
a species particularly at risk because of low or declining numbers, small ranger, or for some other reason, bt not a threatened species
why are frogs important 3
- frogs are an indicator species, meaning they can provide early warning that the balance of an ecosystem is changing.
why - because they live in 2 ecosystems
- they are also an integral and essential part of multiple food chains as both adults and tadpoles
why are frogs in danger? how many of them are in danger in NA
1 + 4
- about 30% of NA’s frogs and toads are in trouble
due to.. - loss of habitat
- air and water quality
- climate change
- uv radiation
what is carbon
found where 3
- carbon is an element (C). it ios the basis of life on earth
found in - rocks
- occeans
- atmosphere
how is carbon used by earth
- the saame carbon atoms are used repeatedly on earth. they cycle between the earth and atmosphere
how do plants use carbon 2
- plants pull co2 from the atmosphere and use it to make food (photosynthesis)
- the carbon becomes part of the plant (stored food)
how do animals take in carbo
when organisms eat plants, they take in the carbon and some of it becomes part of their own bodies.
what happens when plants and animals die? carbon? 2
- when plants and animals die, most of their bodies are decomposed and carbon atoms are returned to the atmosphere
- some are not decomposed fully and end up in deposits underground (oil, coal, etc)
how does carbon return to the atmosphere slowly 3
- carbon in rocks and underground deposits is released very slowly into the atmosphere
- weathering releases carbon into the atmosphere
- this process may take many years
draw carbn cycke
carbon sink
additional carbon is stored in the oceam. absorbs carbon from the air.
what part of the world contains the largest store of carbo
the ocean
how is carbon used in the ocean? how does more carbon go in there
- many animals pull carbon from water to use in shells and etc
- animals die and carbon substances are deposited at the bottom of the ocean
when is carbon removed from the atmosphere? when is it taken back? 2&2
taken from:
- land uptake
- ocean uptake
taken back:
- land use (CR)
- fossil fuels
components of the carbon cycle 7
- C in the atmosphere
- plants take in carbon to produce carbs photosynthesis
- plants are eaten by animals
- plants and animals release C by undergoing respiration
- carbon in the ground in decaying matter and waste
- carbon in the decaying matter and waste. most specifically in coal and oil in the ground
- carbon is released when fossil fuels are burned
how does human impact affect the carbon/o2 cycle 5
- fossil fuels release carbon stores very slowly. burning anything releases more carbon into the atmosphere, esp fossil fuels.
- humans cause deforestation
- increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere increases global warming
- fewer plants mean ess co2 removed from the atmosphere
- humans impact the o2 cycle by producing halocarbons that impact the ozone (o3) layer
uses of nitrogen 2
- in DNA
- to make proteins
albedo
the amount of radiation reflected by a surface. higher the albedo, the less energy absorbed. the lower, the more
how much albedo makes up the atmosphere
78%
nitrogen fixation
some bacteria can convert nitrogen GAS into ammonium (NH4)
ammonification 2
(+nitrification??)
ammonium is also produced when decomposers break down organic matter
- some bacteria can convert the ammonium into nitrite NO2 and nitrate NO3 (nitrification???)
denitrification
denitifyiong bacteria complete the nitrogen cycle by converting nitrite or nitrate back into nitrogen gas. this occurs in environments where there is little o2
nitrogen cycle steps 6
- nitrogen fixation. nitrogen gas is converted into ammonium (NH4) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in legume root nodules. also nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria
- ammonification. when organic waste (dead bodies or feces) is decomposed by decomposers (an/aerobic bacteria and fungi) and is covered to ammonium.
- nitrification. when nitrifying bacteria converts ammonium into nitrites (NO2) then into nitrate (NO3).
- denitrification. when denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.
- assimilation. when plants take nitrate (+ammonium?) made by notification
- lighting that goes into the soil turns into nitrates (NO3)
where is nitrogen-fixing bacteria found? type of relationship?
it is found in lumps on the roots called root nodules.
- the bacteria and the plant have a symbiotic relationship: the bacteria benefits by having food and shelter from the plant and the plant benefits by having nitrates produced by the bacteria
what disrupts the nitrogen cycle and why/how 2
fossil fuels are disrupting the nitrogen cycle by altering the amount of nitrogen that is stored in the atmosphere. fossil fuel combustion releases nitric oxide into the air that combines with other elements to form smog and acid rain.
- use of fertilizer also disrupts the cycle because it increases plant growth on land and in the water.
use for phosphorous 4
- part of DNA and ATP
- for bones and teeth
- available in limited quantities
- must consume phosphorous by consuming milk, grain, and meat
how do plants and algae use phosphorous
they can only use phosphorous as PHOSPHATE (PO4) which dissolves in water
phosphorous cycle
it is long and slow, but an important part of the environment. it helps plants grow and is used by farmers to fertilize them.
phosphorous cycle steps
- weathering of rocks
- absorption by plants (farming, fertilizerss) and animals (eating plants)
- when animals die, phosphorous is released back into the soil when their body decays (decomposition). the phosphorous from their corpse ends up in plants and what isn’t absorbed by plants ends up in rocks.
- phosphate in soil and from runoff goes to the ocean, where phosphate is dissolved. detritus go to the bottom of the ocean and sedimentation forms new rocks
- geological uplift lifts these new sediments make the rocks go up to the top of mountains
which cycle is not involved with the atmosphere and why
the phosphoroud cycle because it does not naturally form a gas.=
what promotes eutrophication and algal blooms and what does it cause to the life of the water
spring runoff of N and P, from fertilized soils, into lakes promotes aquatic growth (blooms) and amount of phytoplankton. this decreases O2 levels in lakes > decomposing bacteria use O2 > lake o2 levels decrease and fish begin to die
algal blooms block sunlight and consumes more o2 (in the dark) than they produce during daylight
phosphorous in the hydrosphere 2
- phosphorous usually enters the hydrosphere by the phosphate salt rocks found on the ocean floor. as the water erodes them away, the phosphorous escapes.
- marine organisms take some of the phosphorous particles in order to live and grow``
phosphorous in the lithosphere 3
- phosphorous is presented in the form of rocks and soil
- PHOSPHATES go down to the bottom of the ocean and form rocks over millions of years
- phosphates enter the soil when plant and animal matter decompose. the cycle then repeats.
negatives to excessive phosphorous in water supplies 3
- algal blooms
- clog our water pipes and filters
- interfere w human activities like swimming and fishing
water properties 4
- universal solvent
- polar molecule (+ve end and -ve end)
- weak hydrogen bond between water molecules
- dissolves a wide variety of substances
is solid gas or liquid the most dense
solid
how much energy is needed to form and break bonds between water molecules
a large amount of energy. important for our climate
hydrogen bonding and density of water
hydrogen bonding explains the density of water (bonds hold the molecule in an open form when frozen)
phase change diagram. L > R heat is added
goes upwards but the change pauses during solid - liquid and liquid - gas
cohesion vs adhesion
cohesion- hydrogen bonding causes cohesion. attraction of water molecules to each other.
adhesion- attraction of water molecules to other substances (ex glass)
water storing heat use 3
- watrer has very high heat capacity
- importasnt for organisms with a high concentration of water to maintain a constant internal temperature
- important for large bodies of water to moderate effect on climate
pH stuff
pH = -log[H+]
log scale means 10X change per unit
Less than 7- acidic
7- neutral
more than 7- base
what does the water cycle do for living organisms
metabolic activities in plants and animals
human impact to the water cycle2
drought and water quality
acid deposition and human impact
- when fossil fuels and metal ores are burned, sulfur dioxide is produced. nitrogen oxides are also a by-product
- produces acid rain, which changes the pH of water, which affects living things as well as leaches nutrients from the soil
what exploits cohesion of water molecules
it is exploited by plants and animals
what does lower density of ice cause it to do
the lower density of ice causes it to float and insulate the water below
when ice is frozen, molecules are not as packed together as it is in liquid
what does the polarity of water cause
causes it to dissolve other polar molecules
non-polar compounds adn water
they are hydrophobic and cannot easily dissolve in water
what happens to solutions when hydrogen ions are removes
it changes the pH of the solution
how much of water is of the cells mass
60%
what takes place in water
metabolic reactions (the total of all chemical changes that take place in a cell or an organism to produce energy and basic materials needed for important life processes)
productivity
rate at which an exosystems producers capture and store energy over a period of time (rate of formation of biomass)
RATE at which organisms produce new BIOMASS depends on many variables 3
- # of producers
- amount of heat and light
- rainfall
productivity in a desert exosystem.. limited by what 3
it is limited by precipitation, nutrient availability (esp nitrogen), and the species’ production potential. Plant biomass provides food for consumers that occupy several trophic levels
productivity in a rainforest
the terrestrial biome with the highest level of primary productivity is the tropical rainforest biome.
- w long days of sunlight, high temps and higher precipitation, rainforests have a high rate of productivity
productivity in the ocean
depends onthe available nutrients and sunlight. the ocean receives nutrients at the mouths of large rivers and upwelling zones. nutrients are RELEASED during the seasonal meeting of ice
was there more o2 or co2 in the past
throughout earth’s history, the amount of co2 and o2 varied.
there was LESS o2 and MORE co2
how did the amount of o2 and co2 change throughout history?
with an increase in cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic organisms, the amount of o2 increased and the co2 decreased in the atmosphere
stromatolites
they are evidence of atmospheric conditions.
- they are microbial reeefs created by CYANOBACTERIA (formerly known as blue-green algae).
- these deposits build up very slowly: a single 1m structure may be 2k-3k yrso
how much of air was o2 before cyanobacteria? what chanegd
1%. then, for 2B yrs, our photosynthesising stromatolites pumped o2 into the oceans
patterns on the stromatolites
black bands?
what happened after iron was all used up
- black bands indicated iron oxide. once the algae had used up all the iron in the ocean, the o2 produced by the algae could then accumulate in the ocean and escape to the atmosphere
chemosynthesis.. where do they occur
the process in which FUNGI and BACTERIA can produce energy from chemicals, such as sulfur, to make carbs (sugar) without sunlight
- they can occur deep in the ocean or near oceanic vents
how are algae blooms caused by humans 4
- deforestation
- sewage
- manur
- fertilizers
biomagnification 2
refers to the process where certain substances such as pesticides or heavu metals MOVE UP the FOOD CHAIN (animals eat other animals)
- these substances become concentrates in tissues or internal organs as they move up the food chin
- these subatcnes are very slowly metabolized or excreted
bioaccumulation
refers tp when harmful substances accumulate in an organism’s body overtime
dead zones
regions of a lake or oceans in which aquatic life has suffocated due to algal blooms.. approx 150 in oceans
what causes dead zones
- nutrients in soil exposed by deforestation
- sewage
- surface run off and snowmelt carrying manure/fertilizer
