Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biology > Ecology > Flashcards

Ecology Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is a habitat

A

The environment in which an organism lives

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a population

A

The total number of organisms of the same species living in the same geographical area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a community

A

The populations of all of the different species that live in the same habitat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does biotic part of an environment mean

A

The living organisms in the environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does the abiotic parts of an environment mean

A

The non-living parts of an environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What’s an ecosystem

A

Both the biotic and abiotic parts of an environment and how they interact

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the resources plants compete for

A

Light and space
Water and mineral ions in the soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the resources animals compete for

A

Food and water
Mating partners
Territory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is interdependence

A

When all the different species in a community depend on eachother
If one species is removed it can affect the whole community

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a stable community

A

One where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the biotic factors which can affect a community

A

Availability of food
Arrival of new predators
Competition between species
New Pathogens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Explain how availability of food is a biotic factor that can affect a community

A

if the availability of food falls the number of organisms in the community will also fall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Explain how arrival of a new predator is a biotic factor affecting a community

A

this can cause the population of a prey species to fall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Explain how competition between species is a biotic factor affecting a community

A

if a species is outcompeted then its population can fall so much the numbers are no longer sufficient to breed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Explain how a new pathogens is a biotic factor affecting a community

A

if an infectious disease emerges then spreads it can wipe out a population of a species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the abiotic factors affecting the community

A

Light intensity
Temperature
Moisture levels
Soil pH and mineral content
Wind intensity and direction
Carbon dioxide levels for plants
Oxygen levels for aquatic animals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Explain how light intensity is an abiotic factor affecting a community

A

If light intensity is too low the rate of photosynthesis falls and plants will grow more slowly
Because of this animals that feed on plants may not have enough food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Explain how temperature is an abiotic factor affecting a community

A

If the temperature of an environment changes then this could cause the distribution of species to change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Explain how moisture levels is an abiotic factor affecting a community

A

Many species are adapted to deal with low levels of water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Explain how the pH and mineral content of the soil is an abiotic factor affecting a community

A

Many plants cannot grow on soil which is too acidic or too alkaline
Plants need certain minerals in the soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Explain how wind intensity and direction is an abiotic factor affecting a community

A

Strong winds blowing inland from the sea can cause plants to lose water
So plants growing in sand dunes are often adapted to reduce water loss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Explain how carbon dioxide and oxygen is an abiotic factor affecting a community

A

Carbon dioxide is needed for plants to photosynthesise
If carbon dioxide levels fall then the rate of photosynthesis can decrease
Oxygen is needed for aerobic respiration
The level of dissolved oxygen in water can fall
This can be harmful for aquatic organisms such as fish

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Explain how organisms are adapted to live in their natural environment

A

Organisms have features that enable them to survive in the conditions in which they normally live. These adaptations may be structural, behavioral, or functional

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are structural adaptations

A

Adaptations of body shape or body structure
Eg: camels have a hump to store fat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are functional adaptations

A

Adaptations to the body functions of an organism
Eg: camels produce dry faeces to reduce water loss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are behavioral adaptations

A

These are adaptations to the animal’s lifestyle or behavior
Eg: kangaroo rats are only active at night to avoid the heat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are extremophiles

A

Organisms that live in very extreme environments such as high temperatures,npressure, or salt concentration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What’s an example of an extremophile

A

Bacteria living in deep sea vents

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What do producers do in a food chain

A

Synthesise molecules
This are usually green plant or algae which makes glucose by photosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are primary consumers in the food chain

A

Organisms that eat the producers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the secondary consumer in a food chain

A

An animal that eats a primary consumer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is a tertiary consumer in a food chain

A

An animal that eats a secondary consumer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What are predators

A

Consumers that kill and eat other animals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What is a prey

A

The animal that is being eaten

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What is random sampling used for

A

Random sampling is used to compare the numbers of organisms in different areas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

How do we do random sampling

A

A quadrat is a wooden or plastic square
Place it on the ground and count the number of organisms inside the square
This can be used to sample plants or slow-moving animals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is the equation used to estimate the total population size of a species in an area

A

Total population size = (total area/area sampled) X number of organisms of that species counted in sample

38
Q

What is a transect

A

A line such as a tape measure or a piece of rope

39
Q

How do we use a transect when sampling

A

Place the transect so it runs across the habitat we are looking at
Then use a quadrat to count the number of organisms at intervals on the transect

40
Q

Why do we use sampling along a transect

A

To see how the number of organisms change across a habitat

41
Q

What is the carbon cycle

A

Photosynthesis brings carbon into the cycle and respiration returns carbon back to the atmosphere

42
Q

What are plants role in the carbon cycle

A

Plants and algae take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in photosynthesis
The carbon is used to make carbohydrates, fats and proteins
Plants and algae respire so some of the carbon is released back to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide

43
Q

What are animals role in the carbon cycle

A

When plants and algae are eaten by animals the carbon in plants becomes part of the carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the cells of animals.
When animals respire some of the carbon is released back to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide
When animals release faeces or die there is carbon in waste product and dead remains

44
Q

What are decomposers role in the carbon cycle

A

Waste product and dead remains are then broken down by decomposing microorganisms
When decomposers respire the carbon is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide
They also release mineral ions to the soil
Under certain conditions decomposers cannot function effectively
This causes the carbon in dead remains to slowly be converted to fossil fuels
Humans are now burning fossil fuels releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere

45
Q

Describe the ocean’s contribution to the water cycle

A

Energy from the sun causes the water in the ocean to evaporate from the surface of the sea
The water vapour now travels into the air and cools down
When it cools, the water vapour condenses to form clouds
The water in clouds then falls to the ground as precipitation
This includes hail, snow, rain, sleet
Once the water hits the ground some evaporates back into the atmosphere as water vapour
Some water passes through rocks and forms aquifers
A lot of the water forms rivers or streams

46
Q

Describe living organisms role in the water cycle

A

Animals take in water through drinking and in their food
Animals release water in their urine, faeces and when they exhale

47
Q

What are the conditions required for composition to take place

A

Temperature
Amount of water
Amount of oxygen

48
Q

Explain how temperature is a condition affecting decomposition

A

Decomposition takes place faster at warmer temperatures
This is because the decomposers use enzymes to break down the plant materials and these enzymes work faster in warm conditions
If the compost gets too hot enzymes in decomposers can denature and the decomposers can die

49
Q

Explain how the amount of water is a condition affecting decomposition

A

Decomposing microorganisms work faster if the compost is moist
This is because many of the chemical reactions in decay require water
So it’s important that gardeners do not allow a compost heap to dry out

50
Q

Explain how the amount of oxygen is a factor affecting decomposition

A

Decomposers carry out aerobic respiration
Some compost bins have holes in the walls to allow oxygen to enter
Many gardeners use a gardening fork to mix their compost regularly allowing more oxygen to pass into the centre
Mixing the compost also breaks up large clumps it increases the surface area for decomposers to act on
If there is no oxygen decomposing microorganisms carry out anaerobic decay
This produces gases including methane, this is called biogas

51
Q

What do gardeners use compost as

A

They use it as fertilizers

52
Q

What environmental changes impact the distribution of species in an ecosystem

A

Temperature
Availability of water
Composition of atmospheric gases

53
Q

What is biodiversity

A

The variety of all the different species of organisms on earth

54
Q

What is the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem

A

High biodiversity makes an ecosystem more stable
This is because the ecosystem is less dependent on one species for food, shelter and the maintenance of the physical environment

55
Q

Why is humans carrying out deforestation

A

This provides land
The land is used for rice fields or for grazing cattle
The land is used to grow crops high are then used to make biofuels

56
Q

How does human waste lead to water pollution

A

Untreated sewage can be accidentally released into rivers or streams
Fertilisers from farms also pollute rivers and streams
These cause dissolved oxygen levels to fall
This can kill aquatic organisms leading to reduced biodiversity
Toxic chemicals from factories also have the same effect

57
Q

How does human waste lead to air pollution

A

Acid rain from burning coal
Burning releases smoke
This can kill plants and animals
This reduces biodiversity

58
Q

How does human waste lead to land pollution

A

Waste is dumped into landfills
Landfills destroy habitats for plants and animals
Toxic chemicals from landfills can also pollute soil
These kill living organisms

59
Q

What are peat bogs and peat lands

A

Peat bogs and peat lands contain large amounts of dead plant materials
Conditions in the peat make decay very slow
This means they contain a very large amount of trapped carbon
These habitats are being destroyed

60
Q

What are peat bogs and peat lands used for

A

Peat is used to produce cheap compost for gardens and farms
In some countries they are burned to produce energy and electricity

61
Q

Describe how the destruction of peat bogs reduces biodiversity

A

It reduces the area of this habitat
This reduces the variety of animals, plants and microorganisms that live there
Reducing biodiversity

62
Q

Describe how the destruction of peat bogs releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

A

The decay or burning of the peat releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
This contributes to climate change

63
Q

What’s the problem with peat free compost

A

They are more expensive
Food prices may increase

64
Q

What is global warming

A

The increase of the earths temperature
Levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere are increasing, and contribute to global warming

65
Q

What is peer-review

A

Scientific papers that are checked by other scientists before being published
This helps detects false claims
And makes sure the research published is valid

66
Q

What are consequences of global warming

A

Loss of habitats
More Mosquitoes may come to the UK in hot temperatures and they may carry malaria
Migration patterns of lots of animals may change

67
Q

How does global warming affect plants

A

Some plants flower earlier due to warmer conditions
It may be too hot to grow crops people need

68
Q

How can we reduce the negative effects of humans on biodiversity

A

-Using breeding programs for endangered species
-The protection and regeneration of rare habitats
-Field margins and hedgerows should be used in agricultural areas where farmers only use one type of crop
-Reduction of deforestation and CO2 emmisions
-Recycling resources rather than dumping waste in landfill

69
Q

What are trophic levels

A

The positions on a food chain

70
Q

What is in trophic level 1

A

Producers

71
Q

What is in trophic level 2

A

Primary consumer

72
Q

What is in trophic level 3

A

Secondary consumer

73
Q

What is in trophic level 4

A

Tertiary consumers

74
Q

What are apex predators

A

Carnivores with no predators eg: lion

75
Q

How do decomposers break down dead plants and animals

A

By secreting enzymes into the environment
Small soluble food molecules then diffuse into the microorganism

76
Q

What is the biomass

A

The mass of all organisms at a certain trophic level

77
Q

Why is dry biomass better than wet biomass

A

The moisture content of organisms can vary widely and produce inaccurate results

78
Q

Explain why the amount of biomass decreases for each trophic level

A

Not all the material the animal ingests is absorbed as some is egested in faeces
Some of the biomass is converted into waste products of metabolism and is released
A large amount of the biomass is used by the animal for respiration to release energy

79
Q

What is the equation to calculate efficiency of biomass transfers between trophic levels

A

Efficiency = Gain in biomass/Total biomass intake

80
Q

What is food security

A

Having enough food to feed a population

81
Q

What are the 6 biological threats to food security

A

-Increasing birth rate
-Changing diets in developed countries mean scarce food resources are transported around the world
-New pests and pathogens that affect farming
-Environmental changes such as changed rainfall patterns so not enough crops grown
-The cost of agricultural inputs
-Conflicts in some parts of the world

82
Q

Describe how to improve the efficiency of food production in farming

A

By restricting energy transfer from food animals to the environment
This can be done by limiting their movement and by controlling the temperature in their surroundings
Less biomass is wasted because of this
Some animals are fed high protein foods to increase growth

83
Q

What are the advantages of factory farming

A

More efficient as less biomass is wasted by the animals in respiration
We can also control the food the animals eat so it contains all the nutrients they need and less food is wasted

84
Q

What are the disadvantages of factory farming

A

Infectious diseases can spread more easily as animals are kept in crowded conditions
To prevent this animals are given antibiotics which may lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria
Because of the crowded conditions animals are likely to get stressed and fight

85
Q

What are the ethical objections towards intensive farming

A

They think animals should be raised in natural conditions and be able to engage in normal behavior
This may increase the animals welfare as it reduces stress

86
Q

Why is it important to maintain fish stocks at sustainable levels

A

If fish stocks fall there are not enough mature fish to breed
Commercial fishing will not be possible because of this

87
Q

How does the government attempt to reverse low fish stocks with quotas

A

The fishing industry is set strict quotas on the numbers of fish that can be caught for each species
This is so the remaining fish can breed and bring the population back to normal levels

88
Q

How does the government control net size to reverse low fish stocks

A

The net size must be large enough that smaller fish are not caught
So that these fish can then develop into adults and reproduce

89
Q

Explain how genetic modification can be used on crops

A

These can be used to grow more foods
They also have improved nutritional value such as golden rice

90
Q

What is Fusarium

A

It’s useful for producing mycoprotein, a protein-rich food suitable for vegetarians

91
Q

How is Fusarium grown

A

The fungus is grown on glucose syrup, in aerobic conditions, and the biomass is harvested and purified

Biology (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions