ecology

Question 1

what is ecology?

Answer 1

the study of the Earth, the interactions of organisms with one another and with their physical and chemical envionment.

Question 2

what classifications do we need to effectively study life on Earth?

Answer 2

populations
communities
ecosystems
biosphere

Question 3

what is the ecosphere?

Answer 3

represents all living organisms,including plants and animals as part of the biosphere.

Question 4

what is the biosphere?

Answer 4

all the ecosystems combined to make up the “global ecosystem”.

Question 5

where and when did the “biosphere” originate?

Answer 5

the geologist Eduard Suess in 1875.
he defines it as the place on earth’s surface where life dwells.

Question 6

what is the cryosphere?

Answer 6

places on earth that are so cold that water is in solid form as ice and snow.

Question 7

what is the lithosphere?

Answer 7

the rigid outermost rocky shell of a terrestrial planet or natural life.

Question 8

what is the hydrosphere?

Answer 8

the accumulation of water in all its states

Question 9

what is the atmosphere?

Answer 9

the layers of air surrounding the earth

Question 10

what is the anthrosphere?

Answer 10

the part of the environment that is made up by humans for use in human activities and human habitats.

Question 11

which gas protects us against harmful UV radiation?

Answer 11

oxygen.

Question 12

the atmosphere on Venus and Mars are composed primarily of which gas?

Answer 12

carbon dioxide.

Question 13

how many years ago did the first-single celled organism evolve on earth?

Answer 13

3.5 billion years ago.

Question 14

first 4 levels of organisms in the biosphere.

Answer 14

1) molecules
2) cells
3) tissues
4) organism

Question 15

last 4 levels of organisms in the biosphere.

Answer 15

5) population
6) community
7) ecosystem
8) biosphere

Question 16

describe the first 4 levels of organisms in the biosphere.

Answer 16

molecules: groups of atoms.
cells: smallest functional unit of life.
tissues: groups of cells with common function.
organism: individual living beings with organs and organ systems.

Question 17

describe the last 4 levels of organisms in the biosphere.

Answer 17

biosphere: the part of earth that contains all ecosystems
ecosystem: community and its non-living surroundings
community: populations that live together in a defined area
population: groups of organisms of one type that live in the same area.