Community level systems B4 Flashcards
What are the components of an ecosystem involved in material recycling?
Materials are recycled through both the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of ecosystems.
How do living organisms contribute to material recycling in ecosystems?
Take elements, turn them into complex compounds and then recycle them as waste products or decomposition.
How do green plants contribute to the carbon cycle?
Green plants use carbon from CO2 in the air to produce **(carbohydrates, fats, and proteins,)
passing these compounds along the food chain when consumed by animals.
How are plants and animals decomposed in the carbon cycle?
Through bacteria and fungi that feed on the nutrients.
Why are decomposers important in the carbon cycle?
They released the CO2 back into the environment when they feed off of decomposing plants and animals.
Define the nitrogen cycle and its importance in ecosystems.
The nitrogen cycle involves the recycling of nitrogen, which is essential for making proteins for growth in living organisms.
How do plants get nitrogen and what do they need it for?
They get nitrogen through the soil and need it for the growth of the plant.
Describe the role of decomposers in the nitrogen cycle.
Decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down proteins in rotting plants and animals, converting them into ammonia that forms ammonium ions, returning nitrogen compounds to the soil
Define transpiration in the water cycle.
Transpiration is the process by which water evaporates from plants.
How is evaporation and condensation involved in the water cycle?
The Sun causes water to evaporate, forming water vapour that condenses into clouds when it cools at higher altitudes.
Explain the levels of organisation in ecosystems.
Ecosystems consist of individual organisms, populations (organisms of one species), communities (organisms of different species), and the abiotic conditions that make up the ecosystem.
What is a habitat?
habitat is the place where an organism lives,
providing necessary resources for survival and reproduction.
What is a species?
A species is a group of similar organisms capable of reproducing to produce fertile offspring.
What do organisms compete for in an environment?
Organisms compete for resources such as food, water, space, and mates with other species and members of their own species.
Do abiotic factors affect communities?
Yes, abiotic factors like temperature, moisture level, light intensity, and soil pH can impact communities
