Chapter #1: Biosphere as a closed system

Question 1

Dynamic Equilibrium

Answer 1

Describes any system with constant change in which the components can adjust to the changes without disturbing the entire ecosystem

Question 2

Biosphere

Answer 2

The narrow zone around earth that harbours life

Question 3

Biotic

Answer 3

A living component of the biosphere

Question 4

Abiotic

Answer 4

A non-living component of the biosphere

Question 5

Population

Answer 5

A group of individuals of the same species occupying a given area at a certain time

Question 6

Community

Answer 6

The population of all species that occupy a habitat

Question 7

Ecosystem

Answer 7

A community and its physical and chemical environment

Question 8

Biodiversity

Answer 8

The number of species in an ecosystem

Question 9

Food Chain

Answer 9

A sequence linking organisms that feed on each other, starting with a food source and continuing in order with each consumer

Question 10

Producer

Answer 10

An autotroph; an organism that makes its own food

Question 11

Consumer

Answer 11

A heterotroph; an organism that must eat producers or other consumers to survive

Question 12

Indicator Species

Answer 12

A species sensitive to small changes in environment conditions

Question 13

Herbivore

Answer 13

An animal only eats plants

Question 14

Carnivore

Answer 14

An animal that feeds only on other animals

Question 15

Omnivore

Answer 15

An animal that eats both plants and other animals

Question 16

Detritus

Answer 16

Waste from plants and animals; including their dead remains

Question 17

Decomposers

Answer 17

An organism that feeds on detritus

Question 18

Ultraviolet Radiation

Answer 18

Electromagnetic radiation from the sun that can cause burning of the skin and cellular mutations

Question 19

Ozone

Answer 19

O3, an inorganic molecule. A layer of ozone found in the stratosphere helps to screen out ultraviolet radiation