Chapter 1/2 - Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an Indicator Species?
A species used to determine the wellbeing of an ecosystem
Why are frogs a good indicator species?
Because they live in two different ecosystems (aquatic, and terrestrial) so they have a handle on the wellbeing of both
They are also apart of two ecosystems, one where they’re the bottom of the food chain, and a second where they are the top of it
What is an abiotic factor?
A non-living factor that effects the ecosystem its apart of
- Sunlight
- pH
- Geological formations
- Natural Disasters
What is a Biotic factor?
A living factor that effects the ecosystem its a part of
- Disease
- Predators
- Amount of food
What is dynamic equilibrium?
When an ecosystem goes under constant change, and the individuals in it can adapt without changing the ecosystem immensely
What are the products of photosynthesis?
O2, Glucose
What are the products of cellular respiration?
CO2, H2O, energy
What is chemosynthesis?
The synthesis of complex compounds through inorganic compounds, usually in the absence of sunlight
What are the first and second law of thermodynamics?
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred
- No energy transferring is 100% efficient
What are the three ecological pyramids?
Pyramid of numbers (how many heterotrophs, and autotrophs are in an ecosystem)
Biomass (weight of how much energy can be carried)
Energy
Why are monocultures bad?
Because they are very susceptible to disease, and reduce biodiversity which causes a fragile ecossytem
