chapters 1-2 Flashcards
biosphere/trophic levels
what is the biosphere?
the zone that surrounds earth and protects all life. includes all ecosystems.
what are the three components of the biosphere?
hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere
what does abiotic mean
non-living
what does biotic mean?
living
what chemicals make up the atmosphere?
oxygen 21%, nitrogen 78%, carbon dioxide 0.004%, argon 0.93%
what are the layers of the atmosphere?
troposphere, stratosphere (ozone), mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere
what is it called when the same species occupies one habitat?
population
what is it called when populations occupy one habitat?
a community
what is it called when a community and its physical/chemical environment live together?
an ecosystem
what is biodiversity?
the number of species in an ecosystem
what is chemosynthesis?
where non-photosynthetic organisms convert inorganic chemicals into organic compounds without the sun
what is a chemoautotroph?
an organism that performs chemosynthesis
what is an example of an autotroph?
producers
what is an example of a heterotroph?
consumers
what is detritus?
waste and remains from animals and plants
what is a decomposer?
organisms that feed on detritus