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Biology > Chapter 3 Notes > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Notes Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is a biome?

A

It is a group of ecosystems that have that have the same climate and dominant communities.

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2
Q

What does the biosphere contain?

A

It contains the combined portions of the planet in which all life exists, including land, water, and air, or atmosphere.

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3
Q

Why do ecologists ask questions about events and organisms?

A

They ask questions to understand relationships within the biosphere.

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4
Q

The study of ecology will range from what?

A

It ranges from the study of a individual organism to populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes and the biosphere.

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5
Q

What is a species?

A

A group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring.

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6
Q

What are populations?

A

They are groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.

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7
Q

What are communities?

A

They are assemblages of different populations that live together in a defined area.

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8
Q

What is a ecosystem?

A

It is a collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving,or physical, environment.

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9
Q

What are the three methods ecologists use to conduct modern ecological research?

A

Observing, modeling and experimenting.

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10
Q

What is the first step in asking ecological questions?

A

Observing

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11
Q

Why do ecologists set up a artificial environment in a laboratory?

A

They are trying to imitate and manipulate conditions that organisms would encounter in the natural world.

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12
Q

Why are ecological phenomena difficult to study?

A

It is because it occurs long periods of time.

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13
Q

Why do ecologists make models?

A

It is because they are trying to gain insight into complex phenomena such as the effects of global warming on ecosystems.

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14
Q

What do ecological models consist of?

A

It consists of mathematical formulas.

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15
Q

What are the two main types of energy?

A

Solar energy and chemical energy.

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16
Q

What is the main energy source for life on Earth?

A

Sunlight.

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17
Q

What do some organisms rely on for energy?

A

They rely on energy stored in inorganic compounds.

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18
Q

Plants, some algae and certain bacteria that capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to produce food are called what?

A

They are called autotrophs.

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19
Q

What is another word for autotrophs?

A

Producers.

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20
Q

What do autotrophs do during photosynthesis?

A

They use light energy to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches.

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21
Q

What are the main autotrophs on land?

A

Plants.

22
Q

What are the main autotrophs in freshwater ecosystems and in the sunlit layers of the ocean?

A

Algae.

23
Q

What are the most common photosynthetic bacteria that are important in certain wet ecosystems such as tidal flats and wet marshes?

A

Cyanobacteria.

24
Q

What is the process in which organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrate?

A

Chemosynthesis.

25
Q

How many types of bacteria perform chemosynthesis?

A

Several.

26
Q

Where do chemosynthetic bacteria live?

A

They live in remote places such as volcanic vents on the deep ocean floor and hot springs in Yellowstone Park and tidal marshes along the coast.

27
Q

Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply are called what?

A

Heterotrophs.

28
Q

What is another word for heterotrophs?

A

Consumers.

29
Q

Organisms that obtain energy by only eating plants are called what?

A

Herbivores.

30
Q

Organisms such snakes, dogs and owls that eat animals are called what?

A

Carnivores.

31
Q

Organisms such as humans, bears and crows that eat both plants and animals are called what?

A

Omnivores.

32
Q

Organisms such as mites, earthworms, snails and crabs that feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter are called what?

A

Detrivores.

33
Q

Organisms such as bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter are called what?

A

Decomposers.

34
Q

A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten is called?

A

A food chain.

35
Q

What is a food web?

A

A network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in a ecosystem.

36
Q

What is a trophic level?

A

It is each step in a food chain or food web.

37
Q

What is a ecological pyramid?

A

A diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food chain or food web.

38
Q

What does a energy pyramid show?

A

It shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level.

39
Q

What does a biomass pyramid show?

A

It shows the amount of living organic matter at each trophic level.

40
Q

What does a pyramid of numbers show?

A

It shows the relative number of individual organisms at each trophic level.

41
Q

What is biomass?

A

The total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level.

42
Q

Where is matter recycled?

A

Within and between ecosystems.

43
Q

What is a biogeochemical cycle?

A

A process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from part of the biosphere to another.

44
Q

What is evaporation?

A

The process by which water changes from one liquid form to a atmospheric gas.

45
Q

What is transpiration?

A

The process by which water enters the atmosphere by evaporating from the leaves of plants.

46
Q

What happens during condensation?

A

Water vapor condenses into tiny water droplets that form clouds.

47
Q

What precipitates from clouds as it becomes dense?

A

Rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

48
Q

What are nutrients?

A

Chemical substances that a organism needs to sustain life.

49
Q

What does every living organism need?

A

Organisms need nutrients to build tissues and carry out essential life functions.

50
Q

How are nutrients like water?

A

They both travel between organisms.

51
Q

What are other important cycles besides the water cycle and nutrient cycle?

A

The carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle and the phosphorous cycle.

Biology (9 decks)

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