Chapter 3 - Biosphere Flashcards
Levels of organization
Individual (species) Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere
Species
Group so similar they can breed
Populations
Groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.
Communities
Assemblages of different populations in a defined area
Ecology
Scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment
Biosphere
Combined portions of planet in which all of life exists
8K above earths surface
11K below
Three basic methods of ecological research
Observe experiment model
Main energy source?
Sun
Where do organisms get energy if they never get sunlight?
They rely in energy stored in inorganic compounds.
Autotrophs=
Producers
Photosynthesis
CO2+ H2O—-> C6H12O6+ O
Chemosynthesis
Sulfur compounds—> carbs from CO2 + sea water
Heterotrophs=
Consumers
Herbivores
Eat Plants
Carnivores
Eat Meats
Omnivores
Eat Plants and animals
Detritivores
Feed on animal and plant remains
detritus
Decomposers
Break down organic matter
Examples of herbivores
Cows
Caterpillars
Deer
Carnivore examples
Snakes
Dogs
Owls
Omnivore examples
Humans
Bears
Crowd
Detrituvore examples
Mites Earthworms Snails Crabs Flies
Decomposer examples
Bacteria
Fungi
How does energy flow?
In one direction
Food chain
Starts with a producer
Ecological pyramids
Energy
Biomass
Numbrs
Energy pyramid
10% of energy is transferred to the next tropic level
Biomass pyramid
Total amount of living tissue in each level
Grams
Pyramid of numbers
Number of individual organisms at each level
Biogeochemical cycles
Elements, chemical compounds, etc are passed from one organism to another
Water cycle
Evaporation Transpiration Condensation Precipitation Runoff Seepage Root uptake
Nutrients
All chemical substances that an organism needs to sustain life
Carbon cycle 4 main processes
Biological (photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition)
Geochemical (erosion, volcanic activity)
Mixed biogeochemical (fossil fuels)
Human activities (mining, cutting/burning forests, burning fossil fuels)
Carbon cycle
CO2 in atmosphere Photosynthesis Feeding Respiration Decomposition Deposition Human activity CO2 in ocean Uplift Erosion Volcanic activity
Nitrogen cycles used for___
Amino acids
Proteins
Nitrogen fixation
Legume root-dwelling plants turn nitrogen gas into ammonia
Denitrification
Soil bacteria convert nitrate into nitrogen gas
Nitrogen cycle
N2 in atmosphere Atmospheric nitrogen fixation NO3 and NO2 Uptake by producers Reuse by consumers Deposition/excretion NH3 Denitrification Synthetic fertilizer manufacture Bacterial nitrogen fixation
Phosphorus cycle
DNA RNA does not enter atmosphere ! Organisms Land Ocean Sediment
Primary productivity
Rate at which organic matter is created by producers
Limiting nutrient
Ecosystem is limited by a single nutrient that is scarce or cycles slowly
Algal bloom
When an aquatic ecosystem receives a large input of a limiting nutrient, result= immediate increase in amount of algae and other producers.