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Science :D > Chapter 12: Ecology > Flashcards

Chapter 12: Ecology Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Why do we need to conserve the environment?

A
  1. Ensure that Earth’s natural resources do not run out and are available for future use.
  2. Reduces negative impacts on the environment and protects the other organisms
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1
Q

What are the two adaptations in organisms?

A

Structural and behavioural

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2
Q

Define ‘structural adaptations’

A

They are physical characteristics of an organism that helps it to survive in its habitat.

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3
Q

Define ‘behavioural adaptations’

A

They are behaviours of an organism that allows it to survive in its habitat

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4
Q

What are the 3 relationships in a community?

A

Predator-prey, mutualism and parasitism

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5
Q

Define a predator-prey relationship

A

It is the relationship where the predator feeds on the prey.

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5
Q

Define ‘mutualism’

A

It is the relationship in which two or more organisms support or benefit one another

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6
Q

Define ‘parasitism’

A

It is the relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of the other organism.

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7
Q

What does a parasite usually do?

A

They usually live on or inside of a host and causes harm to the host.

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8
Q

Define ‘adaptations’

A

It refers to traits that organisms have to survive and grow well in an environment.

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9
Q

What may happen to animal’s adaptations when environmental or physical factors change?

A

Their adaptations may become unsuitable

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10
Q

What happens when organisms’ adaptations become unsuitable?

A
  1. Organisms with the adaptation are unable to survive
  2. Organisms may migrate to a location where the adaptations allow them to survive.
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11
Q

What is the difference between energy flow and nutrient flow?

A

Energy flow is non-cyclical while nutrient flow is cyclic

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12
Q

Why is energy flow non-cyclical?

A
  1. Energy released during respiration for life processes is lost as heat energy.
  2. Producers cannot reuse the heat energy for photosynthesis
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13
Q

Why is nutrient flow cyclic?

A

Nutrients are returned to the environment during decomposition and can be reused by producers.

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14
Q

Why is does the food chain usually not have more than 5 trophic levels?

A

The energy available in food is not sufficient anymore to support organisms after 5 trophic levels.

15
Q

When is a food web formed?

A

When two or more food chains are interconnected together.

16
Q

What do decomposers do?

A

They break down dead matter/ faeces into simpler substances and return the nutrients in them back to the environment.

17
Q

What are the 6 physical factors of our environment?

A
  1. Air
  2. Light
  3. Water
  4. Mineral salt
  5. Temperature
  6. pH level of soil
18
Q

Define ‘ecosystem’

A

It is made up of the interactions between a community and its physical environment.

18
Q

Define ‘habitat’

A

Where an organism lives

19
Q

Define ‘population’

A

It is made up of organisms of the same kind living in the same habitat

20
Q

Define ‘community’

A

It is made up of different populations of plants and animals living and interacting together in a particular habitat

21
Q

Why do arctic foxes have small ears?

A

To reduce surface area to volume ratio, which allows it to lose heat slower to surroundings

21
Q

Why do polar bears have a thick layer of fur?

A

It helps to trap air, a poor conductor of heat. This allows the polar bear to lose heat slower to the surroundings

22
Q

Why do dolphins have a blowhole?

A

To allow it to take in oxygen from the atmosphere while its body remains in water.

23
Q

Why do cactuses have needle-like leaves?

A

To reduce the surface area to volume ratio in order to reduce water loss to surroundings via transpiration

24
Q

Why do camels have long eyelashes?

A

To block sand from entering their eyes.

24
Q

Why do eagles have sharp talons?

A

Allows the eagle to grab its prey easily

25
Q

Why do hummingbirds have a long beak?

A

Their long beak allows them to suck the nectar from flowers

26
Q

Why do bluebirds huddle together?

A

To reduce surface area to volume ratio so that they can lose heat slower to surroundings.

27
Q

Why do deer live in groups?

A

They can spot predators better and have more time to escape.

28
Q

Why do badgers hide in burrows during the day?

A

The temperature of soil is lower, allowing them to gain lesser heat from surroundings.

28
Q

Why do peacocks display their colourful feathers?

A

To attract mates for reproduction.

29
Q

Why do kangaroos lick their body?

A

Their saliva will gain heat from their body and evaporate away, causing their body to lose heat

30
Q

How much energy is transferred each time in the food chain?

A

10%

Science :D (14 decks)

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