Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of organisms and the environment they live in.
What is a habitat?
A habitat is the place an organism lives in. This may be a woodland, sea shore, pond or a river.
List some of the physical factors that can vary in an environment.
Temperature
Amount of sunlight
Amount of water
Gases such as oxygen (particularly dissolved in water)
What are plants that can photosynthesise known as?
Plants that can photosynthesise are known as producers as they produce own food and in turn they provide food and energy for other organisms.
The herbivores or plant eating animals that feed on plants are also known as ….?
Primary consumers
The carnivores (or animals that eat other animals) feed on primary consumer. They are also known as ….?
Secondary consumer
What are food chains?
Food chains show the feeding relationships and energy transfer between a number of organisms.
Why are most food chains relatively short?
Most food chains contain no more than four organisms because energy is lost each stage of the energy transfer.
What is the main processes of carbon cycle?
🚝 Photosynthesis - during photosynthesis carbon dioxide is taken in by plants and built up into sugar, starch and other organic compounds.
🚝 Feeding - animals eat the plants (or other animals) and the carbon is built up into organic compounds which can be transferred further along the food chain.
🚝 Respiration - when plants, animals and decomposers respire they return carbon compounds to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
🚝 Combustion - as carbon rich reserves of coal, oil and gas are burnt the carbon is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
There is considerable evidence to show that the carbon dioxide levels are rising. Give two reasons for this.
🚝 Increase burning of fossil feels
🚝 Deforestation mother is taking place throughout the world
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The Greenhouse Effect is where carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps heat. It is necessary to life on earth as it ensures that water is liquid over most of the Earth.
Most of the nitrogen contained in plants and animals is in what form?
Amino acids and proteins
What is the minimum pollution effect associated with the nitrogen cycle?
Eutrophication
What are the four main phases of the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrification
Denitrification
Nitrogen fixation
Decomposition
What are the advantages of using artificial fertilisers?
🚝 They are much easier to store than manure and compost
🚝 They can be applied in a controlled manner
