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Biology > Ecology > Flashcards

Ecology Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is an open system?

A

One that allows both energy and matter to cross the systems boundary

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2
Q

What is a closed system?

A

One that allows only energy (but not matter) to cross the boundary

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3
Q

Is earth considered an open or closed system?

A

Earth is a naturally closed system. It only allows energy (sun) to enter or exit on its own. Other things like rockets and satellites can only enter/exit with human intervention

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4
Q

What is the process that all organisms use to obtain energy from chemical compounds?

A

Cellular respiration

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5
Q

What is albedo?

A

Albedo is the amount of energy that is absorbed or reflected off of a surface. Lighter surfaces have a higher albedo, while darker surfaces absorb more, meaning their albedo is lower.

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6
Q

What is chemosynthesis?

A

Chemosynthesis happens in organisms that inhabit areas where there is no light. They split hydrogen sulfide molecules and use the broken chemical bonds to create energy-storing compounds

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7
Q

What is an isolated system?

A

A system where neither energy or matter can cross

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8
Q

Where can chemosynthetic organisms live?

A

In deep oceans, hot springs, deep caves and soil

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9
Q

What is the difference between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis?

A

Photosynthesis uses light to generate energy and chemosynthesis uses energy from broken chemical bonds

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10
Q

What is an autotroph?

A

Autotrophs are also known as producers. They are self feeders that use the suns energy or inorganic chemicals to feed themselves

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11
Q

What is a heterotroph?

A

Heterotrophs are also known as consumers. They feed on other organisms for the energy in their tissues

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12
Q

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

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13
Q

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

A

With each energy conversion in a system, there will be less energy available for the next level

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14
Q

What is the rule of 10?

A

Less than 10% of the energy that is present at one level will be passed down to the next.

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15
Q

How much energy is lost in the form of heat?

A

90% of energy is lost in the form of heat, solidifying the rule of 10

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16
Q

What do ecological pyramids represent?

A

The distribution of energy in an ecosystem

17
Q

What is a pyramid of numbers?

A

Represents the number of organisms in each tropism

18
Q

What is a pyramid of biomass?

A

Represents the dry mass of living organisms per unit of area

19
Q

What is a pyramid of energy?

A

Represents the amount of energy that is transferred through each tropism

20
Q

What causes a pyramid to be inverted?

A

When there is a large number of primary consumers (rabbits) feeding on a single producer (grass) the ecosystem will become unbalanced

21
Q

What happens when a dynamic equilibrium in an ecosystem becomes unbalanced?

A

The health and number of organisms will be greatly affected. If the change is large enough, some organisms can go extinct

22
Q

What does it mean for water to be a polar molecule?

A

This means that a water molecule has a negative and positive end. It attracts to nearby water molecules and forms a hydrogen bond

23
Q

What is fusion?

A

Solid to liquid

24
Q

What is vaporization?

A

Liquid to gas

25
Q

True or false, water has low melting and boiling points?

A

False, water has very high melting and boiling points

26
Q

True or false, ice is less dense than water?

A

True

27
Q

What is cohesion?

A

Cohesion gives water its surface tension. This means that it will stick to other things [specifically other water molecules.
(hydrogen bonding)] This is why small bugs can walk on water without falling through

28
Q

What is adhesion?

A

Adhesion is the force that attracts molecules of one kind to a different kind. This why raindrops will stick to leaves or glass

29
Q

True or false, water has a low specific heat capacity?

A

False, water has a high specific heat capacity and as a result, can store huge amounts of heat energy, allowing large bodies of water at moderate their temperatures

30
Q

What are the steps of the carbon cycle in order?

A

1) Photosynthesis
2) Cellular Respiration
3) Diffusion
4) Fossilization
5) Combustion
6) Volcanic Eruptions

PCDFCV

31
Q

What are the steps of the water cycle in order?

A

1) Evaporation
2) Transpiration
3) Condensation
4) Precipitation
5) Runoff
6) Percolation
7) Groundwater

ETCPRPG

32
Q

What is percolation?

A

Water that falls to the ground and seeps into the soil, filtering downward

33
Q

What is condensation?

A

When water vapor cools as it rises and changes back into liquid

34
Q

What is transpiration?

A

When plants release water vapor into the air through the tiny openings in their stomata

35
Q

What are the steps of the nitrogen cycle in order?

A

1) Lightning
2) Nitrogen Fixation
3) Assimilation
4) Decomposition
5) Ammonification
6) Denitrification
7) Eutrophication

LNADADE

36
Q

What is assimilation in the nitrogen cycle?

A

When plants absorb nitrates or ammonium from the soil and incorporate them into important molecules. Animals then eat plants and the nitrogen is incorporated into their bodies

37
Q

What is denitrification in the nitrogen cycle?

A

This is when denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates in the soil back to nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere and completes the cycle

38
Q

What is eutrophication?

A

An excess of nitrogen (usually from fertilizers or human waste) which can lead to the harm of an aquatic ecosystem with things like increased algae production and oxygen depletion

39
Q

What percentage of the atmosphere does nitrogen gas make up?

A

78%

Biology (7 decks)

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