Ecology

Question 1

Biosphere

Answer 1

The part of the earth where life is possible

Question 2

Biotic factor

Answer 2

Living factors that affect the community (food)

Question 3

Climatic factor

Answer 3

The average weather conditions that affect the community in the ecosystem

Question 4

Ecology

Answer 4

The study of how living things relate to each other and their environment

Question 5

Ecosystem

Answer 5

A community of living organisms interacting with one another and their non-living environment within a particular area

Question 6

Edaphic factor

Answer 6

Refers to soil .e.g, soil type, soil pH, humus content

Question 7

Food web

Answer 7

Two or more interconnecting food chains in an ecosystem

Question 8

Grazing food chain

Answer 8

A food chain where the initial plant is living
seaweed —> winkles —> crabs —> herring gulls
Algae —> water flea —> sickle back —> perch

Question 9

Habitat

Answer 9

A place where something lives and to which it is adapted

Question 10

Niche

Answer 10

The functional role of an organism in an ecosystem

Question 11

Primary consumer

Answer 11

Feeds on producers

Question 12

Producer

Answer 12

Organisms capable of making their own food .e.g, photosynthesis

Question 13

Pyramid of numbers

Answer 13

A diagram that represents the numbers of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain
Area is in proportion to numbers

Question 14

Qualitative survey

Answer 14

Records the species present, this is achieved by collecting and identifying the species

Question 15

Quantitative survey

Answer 15

Records the actual number of species present

Question 16

Secondary consumer

Answer 16

Feeds on primary consumers

Question 17

Tertiary consumer

Answer 17

Feeds on secondary consumers

Question 18

Trophic level

Answer 18

Position of an organism in a food chain. Feeding stage in a food chain.

Question 19

Community

Answer 19

Population of different species of organisms

Question 20

Species

Answer 20

Organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring

Question 21

Key

Answer 21

Used to help identify plants and animals
A key asks a series of questions which pinpoint one feature after another of an organism and in a stepwise fashion, enable us to identify it

Question 22

Food Chain

Answer 22

A flow diagram that shows how food/energy is passed through a series of organisms in a community

Question 23

Detritus food chain

Answer 23

One where the chain begins with dead organic matter and animal waste
Detritus —> edible crab —> seagull

Question 24

Abiotic factor

Answer 24

Non-living factors that affect the community

Question 25

Competition

Answer 25

When organisms in an ecosystem fight for necessary resources that are in short supply

Question 26

Population

Answer 26

A group of individuals of the same species living together in a habitat

Question 27

Contest competition

Answer 27

Usually an active physical confrontation between two organisms and one organism gets the resource E.g. two dogs fighting for a bone

Question 28

Predation

Answer 28

The act of some animal (predators) catching and killing another animal for food

Question 29

Predator

Answer 29

An animal that catches and kills another animal, "prey" for food

Question 30

Scramble Competition

Answer 30

A struggle for a resource in an ecosystem with all the organisms obtaining a small amount of the resource

Question 31

Prey

Answer 31

The animal caught by the predator for food

Question 32

Symbiosis

Answer 32

When two different species live in close proximity with at least one of the two benefiting from the relationship .e.g. Rhizobium (bacteria) in the nodules of clover

Question 33

Conservation

Answer 33

The wise management of our natural resources

Question 34

Parasitism

Answer 34

The act of living on another living organism (the host) causing it harm

Question 35

Pathogen

Answer 35

A disease-causing organisms

Question 36

Community

Answer 36

The different groups of organisms living in an ecosystem

Question 37

Pollution

Answer 37

Any undesirable change to a habitat .e.g. acid rain

Question 38

Eutrophication

Answer 38

Artificial enrichment of a body of water, usually by nitrates and phosphates.

Question 39

Decomposition

Answer 39

The decaying of a dead organism

Question 40

Denitrification

Answer 40

The conversion of nitrates to atmospheric nitrogen

Question 41

Herbivore

Answer 41

An organism that feeds on plants only

Question 42

Nitrification

Answer 42

The process of converting ammonia into nitrates and/or nitrites

Question 43

Nitrogen Fixing

Answer 43

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates (often by bacteria or lightning)

Question 44

Problem with Slurry

Answer 44

``` Causes eutrophication Causes algal bloom which die Algal death Microbial decomposition Oxygen depletion Plant and animal death ```

Question 45

Prevention of Slurry

Answer 45

Spread on a dry day Leak-proof pits Keep back a metre from water`s edge

Question 46

Benefits of Conservation

Answer 46

Endangered species are preserved Balance in nature Pollution and its effects are normally reduced Existing environment we have is maintained

Question 47

How to Ensure Conservation

Answer 47

Mixed farming - crops and livestock (prevents soil erosion and manure keeps crops fertile) Crop Rotation (different crops with different nutrients) Biological pest controllers - ladybird eating greenfly (no chemicals)

Question 48

Acid Rain

Answer 48

pH 3/4 Burning fossil fuels Corrodes buildings, reduces soil pH, irritates delicate lining of lungs

Question 49

Dealing with Acid Rain

Answer 49

Reduce fossil fuels burned Reduce, reuse and recycle Catalytic converters in cars Smokeless fuels

Question 50

Role of Micro-organisms in Waste Management

Answer 50

Waste is covered in soil | Bacteria and fungi break down biodegradable material