Chapter 1&2 Flashcards
What are the structural zones of the biosphere? What does each of them represent?
- Lithosphere - rock part (solid)
- Hydrosphere - water part (liquid, frozen or vapour)
- Atmosphere - atmosphere part (air)
What is dynamic equilibrium?
Dynamic equilibrium is any system where changes are always occurring, and the components can adjust to changes without disturbing the whole system.
What are the levels of organization in the biosphere? What order are they in from least to greatest?
Populations, communities and ecosystems
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the total number of species in an ecosystem.
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic?
Biotic is the living things in the biosphere. Abiotic is the non-living things in the biosphere.
What is monoculture? What is an example?
Monoculture is one species. Example: corn field.
What is an indicator species? What is an example?
Indicator species are species that are sensitive to changes in their environment. Example: frogs
What is a detritus?
A detritus is plant and animal waste.
What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of the relationships of organisms and their surroundings.
Why is a frog a good indicator species?
A frog is a good indicator species because they occupy two different ecosystems (tadpole to a frog) and are in two different food chains.
Why are frogs disappearing? List the reasons.
- Loss of habitat
- Air and water quality
- Climate change
- Ultraviolet radiation
Does energy flow or cycle?
Energy flows! Matter cycles but energy does not.
Name the tropic levels in an ecosystem.
1st trophic level: producers
2nd trophic level: primary consumers
3rd trophic level: secondary consumers
4th trophic level: tertiary consumers
What is chemosynthesis?
Chemosynthesis is a process where organisms convert simple molecules into more complex molecules without the sun’s energy.
What is a pyramid of numbers?
A pyramid of numbers is how many individual organisms are at each trophic level.
