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AQA GCSE Biology > Ecology > Flashcards

Ecology Flashcards

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1
Q

Ecosystem

A

The interaction of a community with the non-living parts of their ecosystem

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2
Q

Community

A

All the organisms that live in a habitat

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3
Q

Habitat

A

The place where an organism lives

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4
Q

Interdependence

A

How different species rely on each other for survival

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5
Q

Name abiotic factors affecting organisms in an ecosystem [7]

A
  1. Light intensity (light meter)
  2. Temperature (thermometer)
  3. Soil pH and mineral ions (Chemical analysis)
  4. Carbon dioxide levels (gas analysis)
  5. Oxygen levels (oxygen electrode)
  6. Moisture levels
  7. Wind levels
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6
Q

Name biotic factors affecting organisms in an ecosystem [4]

A
  1. Availability of food
  2. New predators
  3. New diseases (pathogens)
  4. Interspecific competition (between species)
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7
Q

What are the 3 different levels of organisation in an ecosystem?

A
  1. Individual organisms
  2. Populations- groups of individuals in the same species
  3. Communities- many populations together
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8
Q

What is the purpose of using quadrats?

A

Quadrants are used to estimate the size of a population or the distribution of organisms in a habitat

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9
Q

What are the 2 types of methods involving quadrats?

A
  1. Random sampling

2. Transect sampling

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10
Q

How can we compare the distribution of the same organisms in different habitats? [4]

[Random sampling]

A
  1. Choose the sample area at random
  2. Use a random generator to place the quadrat in a given habitat
  3. Take several random readings
  4. Calculate the mean number of organisms
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11
Q

How can we measure the effect of an abiotic factor on the distribution of organisms? [4]

[Transect Sampling]

A
  1. Use a tape measure to produce a transect
  2. Place quadrat
  3. Score the amount of species present
  4. Place the quadrat at regular intervals along the transect
  5. Repeat several times (improves reliability)
  6. Carry out at different places
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12
Q

What do animals compete for? [3]

A
  1. Food
  2. Territory
  3. Mates
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13
Q

What do plants compete for?

A
  1. Light
  2. Mineral ions
  3. Water
  4. Space
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14
Q

What is an extremophile?

A

Microorganisms that survive and reproduce in extreme conditions

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15
Q

How are microorganisms that live at high or low temperatures adapt?

A

Adapted enzymes=> do not denature

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16
Q

How are microorganisms that live in very salty environments adapt?

A

Cytoplasm adapted=> water does not move out of cell

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17
Q

What are the 3 different types of adaptations to organisms?

A
  1. Structural- shape/colour
  2. Behavioural-migration
  3. Functional- reproduction/ metabolism
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18
Q

What is the effect of a Small SA:V ratio?

A

Less thermal energy is transferred to the surroundings

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19
Q

What is the effect of thick fur?

A

Traps a layer of air, which acts as an insulating layer, stopping transfer of thermal energy

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20
Q

What is the effect of small ears?

A

Reduces surfact area for thermal energy transfer

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21
Q

What is the effect of white colour?

A

Camouflage in the snow=> Prey do not see them=> more food

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22
Q

What is the effect of large feet?

A

Spreads weight over snow increasing run speed

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23
Q

What is the effect of winter hibernation?

A

Energy stores are conserved

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24
Q

Why does a Camel have a hump?

A

Fat can be stored and metabolised for energy

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25
Q

Why does a camel have thick lips?

A

Eat prickly desert plants without feeling pain

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26
Q

Name a functional adaptation of a camel

A

Kidneys produce concentrated urine (less water)

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27
Q

Name a behavioural adaptation of a camel

A

Most active in early morning or late evening

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28
Q

Why do camels have a large SA:V ration and large ears?

A

Transfers energy quicker to surroundings=> cooling them down

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29
Q

Why do desert plants have a small surface area for leaves?

A

Traps a layer of moist air=> reduces water loss by evaporation=> more for photosynthesis

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30
Q

Why do desert plants have sharp spikes?

A

Discourage animals eating them

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31
Q

Why is the stem of cacti thick?

A

Store water in tissues=> photosynthesis

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32
Q

How does decay occur? [5]

A
  1. Microorganisms such as bacteria / fungi
  2. Feed on dead organisms and break them down (decompose) them into simpler substances
  3. They need oxygen because they carry out aerobic respiration
  4. Release carbon dioxide and mineral ions

=> THEY ALSO RELEASE HEAT ENERGY
=>Some of the nutrients are used for growth and they reproduce
5. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen are returned back to the environment and recycled back to provide the building blocks for future organisms

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33
Q

Water cycle

A

Describes how fresh water circulates between living organisms, rivers and the sea

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34
Q

Carbon cycle

A

Describes how carbon is recycled in nature

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35
Q

Describe the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle [4]

A
  1. Plants photosynthesise
  2. Take in Carbon Dioxide
  3. Produce Carbs, proteins and fats
  4. Animals eat green plants or other animals passing on carbon
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36
Q

Describe the role of Respiration in the carbon cycle [7]

A
  1. Animals and plants respire
  2. Release Carbon Dioxide
  3. Plants and animals die
  4. microorganisms carry out decay
  5. Break down waste
  6. Microorganisms respire
  7. release carbon dioxide
37
Q

Describe the levels of a food chain [4]

A
  1. Producers=>
  2. Herbivore/primary consumer=>
  3. Carnivore/ secondary consumer
  4. Larger carnivore/ Tertiary consumer
38
Q

What is each of these feeding levels called?

A

A trophic level

39
Q

What is another name for the top consumer?

A

Apex predator

40
Q

Describe a feeding relationship on a Predator-prey graph [7]

A
  1. More food, prey grow and reproduce successfully
  2. Larger population of prey
  3. More food for predators
  4. Predator numbers increase
  5. Prey begin to fall
  6. Less food for predators
  7. Predators
41
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variety of al the different species of organisms

42
Q

What is compost? [3]

A
  1. Decomposers break down waste
  2. Make a brown crumbly substance called compost
  3. Contains nutrients=> can be used as a fertiliser
43
Q

How can compost be used in a biogas generator? [4]

A
  1. If bacteria decompose anaerobically produce methane gas.
  2. Plant or animal waste is placed in biogas generator, which produces methane (need warm temperatures of 30)
  3. Used as fuel In cooking, electricity and heating and in car fuel
  4. Renewable energy supply
44
Q

What are the advantages of biogas generators? [3]

A
  1. Reduced fossil fuels and non renewable fuels
  2. Less sulphur dioxide/smoke
  3. Fertiliser to help crop growth
  4. cheaper in long term
45
Q

What are the disadvantages of biogas generators? [3]

A
  1. High initial cost
  2. Explosion risk
  3. Technical knowledge or training needed
46
Q

What are the factors affecting biodiversity? [3]

A
  1. Availability of water
  2. Temperature
  3. Atmospheric gases
47
Q

What are the 3 different ways land pollution is formed?

A
  1. Household waste-
    [toxic chemicals=> soil, landfill=> destroys habitat]
  2. Industrial waste-
    [toxic chemicals, e.g. Chernobyl]
  3. Farming-
    [insecticides=> poisonous=> washed into rivers and sea=> bioaccumulation]
    = Organisms can carry toxins throughout the food chain, toxins can build up and cause death.
48
Q

Bioaccumulation

A

Small amounts of substances passed throughout the food chain and accumulates in a predator

49
Q

Why does Bioaccumulation mostly affect animals at the end of the food chain?

A

Predators eat large numbers of prey that have ingested a substance

The level of toxicity is therefore much larger in these predators

50
Q

Describe how eutrophication causes the death of the ecosystem [6]

A
  1. Fertilisers are washed into rivers and lakes = increase in nitrate or phosphate in the water
  2. algae growth in size => prevents sunlight reaching other water plants, which then die.
  3. Bacteriabreak down the dead plants and use up the oxygen in the water (decomposition)
  4. Microorganisms multiply rapidly => uses up all the oxygen = Oxygen level fall- fish die
  5. Fish decompose- microorganisms continue to use oxygen
  6. Lake may be left completely lifeless
51
Q

Describe how acid rain is formed [5]

A
  1. Fossil fuels=> carbon dioxide
  2. Contains sulphur impurities
  3. Reacts with oxygen=> sulphur dioxide
  4. Breathing problems
  5. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide dissolve in rainwater=> dilate sulphuric and nitrate acid

This is acid rain

52
Q

What are the effects of acid rain?

A
  1. Falls onto trees- kills leaves, buds, flowers and fruit
  2. Soaks in soil- destroys roots
  3. If conc high=> kills animals and plants
53
Q

How can acid rain be reduced? [4]

A
  1. Catalytic converters are fitted into exhaust to remove pollutant gases
  2. Low sulphur fuels have been introduced
  3. Electricity is generated from nuclear power
  4. Systems placed in power station chimneys- clean gasses before released into atmosphere
54
Q

Explain how smoke pollution leads to cooler temperatures [5]

A
  1. Increased particulates in air
  2. Reflect sunlight
  3. Less on surface of earth
  4. Causes dimming effect
  5. Leads to cooling temperature
55
Q

Smog

A

A haze of small particles and acidic gases that can be seen in the air

56
Q

What are the main reasons for deforestation? [3]

A
  1. To grow staple foods, e.g. rice=> cheap food in developed world
  2. Cattle rearing=> beef market
  3. To grow crops for biofuels based on ethanol=> sugarcane and maize
57
Q

What are the effects of deforestation? [3]

A
  1. Lose carbon dioxide sink
  2. Reduces biodiversity
  3. Causes increase in carbon dioxide through burning or decay => increases temp => global warming
  4. reduces rate at which carbon dioxide is removed
58
Q

What is peat?

A

Plants that have partially decomposed after thousands of years

59
Q

What can peat be used for? [2]

A
  1. Fuel

2. Mixed with soil to improve conditions

60
Q

What happens when peat is extracted? [3]

A
  1. Contains locked away carbon
  2. Decomposes with microorganisms in presence of oxygen
  3. Releases carbon dioxide
61
Q

How can we overcome the issue of using peat?

A

Using peat free compost => reduces demand of peat

62
Q

How is methane gas released into the atmosphere? [2]

A
  1. Land used to grow rice- rice releases methane as it grows

2. Cattle release methane as they digest grass

63
Q

Describe the greenhouse effect? [6]

A
  1. Infrared radiation from sun
  2. Passes atmosphere to earth
  3. Earth surface radiates different wavelength
  4. radiation (heat) absorbed by greenhouse gasses
  5. Trapped in earths atmosphere
  6. Earth increases In heat = global warming
64
Q

What are the effects of global warming on the environment? [3]

A
  1. Rise in sea levels=> …
  2. Increased/ decreased rainfall=> …
  3. Extreme weather=> storms/ droughts-> …
65
Q

How can we maintain Biodiversity? [5]

A
  1. Breeding programmes for endangered species (zoos)
  2. Protecting and regeneration of rare habitats
  3. Farmers keep margins and hedgerows
  4. reducing deforestation
  5. Recycling plastics rather than landfill
66
Q

Biomass

A

The dry mass of material in an animal or plant

67
Q

How much energy is passed on to the next trophic level after feeding?

A

10%

68
Q

Why is energy reduced at each trophic level?/ Biomass loss [4]

A
  1. Respiration
  2. Heat loss
  3. Movement
  4. Faeces/urine
69
Q

What is food security?

A

Having enough food to feed a population

  • Ability to access food by growing or buying
  • Awareness of need for a healthy balanced diet
70
Q

What are factors affecting food security? [6]

A
  1. Increase in birth rate
  2. Changing diets in developed countries
  3. Conflicts affecting access to food/water
  4. new pest and pathogen
  5. environmental changes
  6. cost of agricultural inputs
71
Q

How can we increase food security? [3]

A
  1. Maintaining or improving
    soil quality
  2. Efficient ways to produce food (selective breeding/GM tech)
  3. Managing fish stocks
  4. educating populations
72
Q

Why is having a shorter food chain more efficient?

A
  1. Efficiency of food production would be greatly increased

- As plant biomass would be used to produce human biomass DIRECTLY

73
Q

What are the conditions of food in factor farming? [4]

A
  1. Cramped conditions- calf crates, fish tanks, etc
  2. Controlled temperature
  3. Controlled feeding/ growth hormones. etc
  4. Controlled lighting
  5. Treated with prophylactic antibiotics
74
Q

What are the 3 features of Intensive farming methods?

A
  1. Movement restriction
  2. Temperature control
  3. Large availability of food
75
Q

Why is there movement restriction in intensive farming methods?

A
  1. Less energy lost for movement
  2. Reduces need for respiration
  3. Weight gain
  4. more biomass available from their food for growth
76
Q

Why is the Temperature controlled in intensive farming methods?

A
  1. Heat conserved
  2. Less energy lost in controlling body temperature
  3. more biomass for growth
77
Q

Why is there a large availability of food in intensive farming methods?

A
  1. More food available= fed more often

2. More energy for growth/ more food converted to biomass

78
Q

What are the disadvantages of intensive farming?

A
  1. Easy spread of disease
  2. restricted movement/ overcrowding
  3. stress, cruelty. unethical
79
Q

What are the advantages of Intensive farming?

A
  1. greater food production= cheaper food
  2. faster growth= more profit
  3. less energy lost through movement and keeping warm
80
Q

What are the 2 ways to conserve fish stocks?

A
  1. Controlling net sizes=> big fish caught, young escape, grow and breed
  2. Fishing quotas=> limits catching, leaving population to breed = population increase
  3. Bans on fishing in breeding season/ in certain areas
81
Q

How is Mycoprotein formed? [7]

A
  1. Fungus grows and reproduces rapidly on cheap glucose syrup
  2. In large containers called fermenters
  3. Requires aerobic conditions
  4. Mycoprotein harvested/ purified
  5. Dried
  6. Ammonia added as source of nitrogen
  7. pale yellow solid => shaped and flavoured
82
Q

What are the advantages of getting more food from Mycoprotein? [4]

A
  1. Quicker production
  2. Suitable for vegetarians
  3. Cheaper
  4. Shorter food chain=> less energy lost
83
Q

conditions of decay

A
  1. temperature
    =work best in warm conditions, if temp too high enzymes denature, if too low = slow rate
  2. moisture
    =grow fastest in moist conditions => easier to digest food and prevents from drying out
  3. oxygen
    =mainly respire anaerobically => transfer energy, grow and reproduce
    =decay more rapid in presence of oxygen
84
Q

problem using peat

A
  1. peat = non renewable
  2. reduces biodiversity
  3. release co2
85
Q

factory faming/biomass (must use points)

A
  1. More or less stages in a food chain
  2. More or less energy is lost through faeces, urine, movement, maintain body temperature at each stage
  3. More or less biomass lost
  4. More or less efficient
  5. More or less food produced
86
Q

effect of rise in sea level

A
  1. Lead to flooding
  2. Damage habitat (food shortage)
  3. Organisms may not be able to survive and become extinct
  4. Reduce biodiversity
  5. Increase salt in soil will effect organisms.
87
Q

effect of increased or decreased rainfall

A

Some animals may adapt as conditions may be favorable whereas others will disappear completely from an area

88
Q

effect of extreme weather patterns

A
  1. Affects photosynthesis for plants
  2. Damage habitats (Food shortage)
  3. Affect animal and plant distributions
  4. Migration pattern of birds, insects and mammals ,may change
  5. Increasing migration or species dying off
  6. Decreases biodiversity

AQA GCSE Biology (7 decks)

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