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sarah's biology class > ecology > Flashcards

ecology Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

resources plants compete for

A

space

minerals

light

water

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2
Q

The levels of organisation in an ecosystem

A

The levels of organisation in an ecosystem

Individual organisms
Smallest part

Populations
Groups of organisms that make up species

Communities
Populations of different species

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3
Q

An ecosystem is made up of living organisms (_____) and non-living (_______) parts.

A

An ecosystem is made up of living organisms (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts.

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4
Q

Animals compete with other animals for:

A

food

mates

territory

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5
Q

species might depend on another species for

A

species might depend on another species for

seed dispersal

pollination

shelter

food

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6
Q

Why may removing one species from an ecosystem make it unstable?

A

Why may removing one species from an ecosystem make it unstable?

There is interdependence between different species.

This means that one species may rely on another species for services such as food, shelter, pollination, and seed dispersal.

Removing one species from an ecosystem could remove a key predator or prey.

This would either increase or reduce population sizes.

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7
Q

A community is stable when all the species and environmental factors are ________.

A

A community is stable when all the species and environmental factors are balanced.

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8
Q

___________ display the feeding relationships within a community.

A

Food chains display the feeding relationships within a community.

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9
Q

Which of these is a classic example of predator-prey dynamics?

A

Which of these is a classic example of predator-prey dynamics?

Canada lynx and snowshoe hare

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10
Q

Food chains nearly always begin with a producer that makes its own food. This is usually a green plant or ______ that can photosynthesise.

A

Food chains nearly always begin with a producer that makes its own food. This is usually a green plant or algae that can photosynthesise.

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11
Q

The trophic levels are:

A

The trophic levels are:

1
Producer
2
Primary consumer
3
Secondary consumer
4
Tertiary consumer
5
Apex predator
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12
Q

what word best describes the nature of predator-prey dynamics in stable communities?

A

what word best describes the nature of predator-prey dynamics in stable communities?

cyclic

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13
Q

Examples of Environmental Changes That Affect Species

A

Examples of Environmental Changes That Affect Species

Temperature

Water

Atmospheric gases

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14
Q

People can change water availability through the building of large _____, and pollution of water sources can make them _____ to wildlife.

A

People can change water availability through the building of large dams, and pollution of water sources can make them toxic to wildlife.

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15
Q

an example of how geographic activity can cause environmental change?

A

an example of how geographic activity can cause environmental change?

storms and drought change water availability

volcanic eruptions change the composition of atmospheric gases

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16
Q

Name the potential causes of environmental change:

A

Name the potential causes of environmental change:

Humans

Seasons

Geological activity

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17
Q

Experimental tools for assessing ecosystems:

A

Experimental tools for assessing ecosystems:

Quadrat

Transect

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18
Q

What are quadrats used for?

A

What are quadrats used for?

estimating population sizes

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19
Q

The median is the middle value when a series is arranged in ________ order.

A

The median is the middle value when a series is arranged in numerical order.

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20
Q

Using Quadrats to Estimate a Population Size

A

Using Quadrats to Estimate a Population Size

Divide the habitat up into a series of quadrat-sized cells.

Randomly select a given number of cells, then go out into the habitat and place the quadrat in these positions.

To evaluate the quadrat contents, either count the number of individual organisms of interest or record the percentage of the quadrat taken up by an organism (e.g. grass).

The samples from the quadrat are used to estimate the total population in a given area:

population = number counted x (total survey area / area sampled)

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21
Q

_________ can be used to investigate the effect of a factor on the distribution of a species.

A

Transects can be used to investigate the effect of a factor on the distribution of a species.

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22
Q

“When organisms die, the matter in their bodies is recycled for other purposes.” What does this describe?

A

“When organisms die, the matter in their bodies is recycled for other purposes.” What does this describe?

the carbon ncycle

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23
Q

The recycling of materials is essential as they provide the building blocks for ________ generations.

A

The recycling of materials is essential as they provide the building blocks for future generations.

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24
Q

The Carbon Cycle

A

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon is removed from the atmosphere by producers (e.g. algae) who use it in photosynthesis.

By consuming plant matter, animals obtain carbon compounds.

Carbon is returned into the atmosphere (as carbon dioxide) because of the respiration that happens in plant and animal cells.

When animals and plants die, decomposers return the carbon locked in their bodies back to the atmosphere via decay.

Combustion of fossil fuels is another source of carbon entry into the atmosphere.

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25
Q

The Water Cycle

A

The Water Cycle

Water evaporates from the Earth’s surface, before rising up into the atmosphere.

Once in the atmosphere, the water vapour cools and condenses into either rain or snow. This eventually returns to the Earth’s surface.

The rain or snow will either become surface runoff (water flowing off land) or will travel through the earth as ground water.

Plants take up water through their roots.

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26
Q

When animals and plants die, decomposers return the carbon locked in their bodies back to the atmosphere via _____.

Combustion of fossil fuels is another source of carbon entry into the atmosphere.

A

When animals and plants die, decomposers return the carbon locked in their bodies back to the atmosphere via decay.

Combustion of fossil fuels is another source of carbon entry into the atmosphere.

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27
Q

What are the ideal conditions for decay?

A

What are the ideal conditions for decay?

moist

warm

well oxygenated

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28
Q

What is the independent variable in an experiment investigating the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring pH change?

A

What is the independent variable in an experiment investigating the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring pH change?

temperature

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29
Q

As milk decays it’s pH decreases. This can be observed with an indicator called _______ red.

A

As milk decays it’s pH decreases. This can be observed with an indicator called Cresol red.

30
Q

The ___________ __________resulted in the initial spike in human activities that were detrimental to biodiversity

A

The industrial revolution resulted in the initial spike in human activities that were detrimental to biodiversity

31
Q

Industrial waste and pollution affect:

A

Industrial waste and pollution affect:

Water

Air

Land

32
Q

Name four land pollutants:

A

Name four land pollutants:

1
Herbicides
2
Pesticides
3
Buried nuclear waste
4
Household waste in landfill
33
Q

What is being described?

A deposit of partially decayed plant matter, which accumulates in bogs.

A

What is being described?

Peat
A deposit of partially decayed plant matter, which accumulates in bogs.

34
Q

Deforestation results in the loss of the following ecosystem services:

A

Deforestation results in the loss of the following ecosystem services:

1
Erosion prevention
2
Flood control
3
Food provision
35
Q

Peat bogs acts as a store of _______, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere.

A

Peat bogs acts as a store of carbon, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere.

36
Q

Deforestation takes place to free up land for:

A

Deforestation takes place to free up land for:

1
Cattle
2
Rice fields
3
Biofuel production
37
Q

Reasons for peat bog destruction

A

Reasons for peat bog destruction

Burn the peat for fuel

Sell the peat to gardeners as compost

Free up land for farming

38
Q

What is carbon dioxide an example of?

A

A GREENHOUSE GAS

39
Q

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which means its atmospheric concentration must be kept at suitable levels. What is true regarding carbon dioxide?

A

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which means its atmospheric concentration must be kept at suitable levels. What is true regarding carbon dioxide?

is a waste product of respiration

naturally stored in bodies of water

40
Q

What proportion of climate scientists believe that the greenhouse effect is causing global warming?

A

What proportion of climate scientists believe that the greenhouse effect is causing global warming?

more than half

41
Q

Carbon dioxide

Released into the atmosphere
Burning ______ fuels
Respiration

Removal from the atmosphere
___________ into peat bogs
_________ in water
Photosynthesis

A

Carbon dioxide

Released into the atmosphere
Burning fossil fuels
Respiration

Removal from the atmosphere
Absorbed into peat bogs
Dissolving in water
Photosynthesis

42
Q

The Greenhouse Effect

This happens to some of the heat energy that reaches the Earth.

A

The Greenhouse Effect

Re-radiating
This happens to some of the heat energy that reaches the Earth.

43
Q

Consequences of Global Warming

A

Consequences of Global Warming

Melting ice

Ocean acidification

Extreme climatic events

Altered migration patterns

More extreme meteorological events

Changed distribution of species

44
Q

Rising sea surface temperatures are causing bleaching of sensitive ______.

A

Rising sea surface temperatures are causing bleaching of sensitive corals.

45
Q

Can you think of an example of government-imposed targets regarding deforestation and emission reductions?

A

Can you think of an example of government-imposed targets regarding deforestation and emission reductions?

One example is the ambitious targets set by Brazil regarding the state of the Amazon Rainforest.

These include the complete abolishment of illegal deforestation and the reforestation of twelve million hectares by 2030.

46
Q

The benefits of recycling waste include:

A

The benefits of recycling waste include:

slows down land fill expansion

reduces the need for extraction

47
Q

Food chains are made up of:

A

Food chains are made up of:

decomposers

prey

predator

Apex predator (not preyed upon)

48
Q

Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, are responsible for recycling ______ matter within an ecosystem and represent the final stop for all food chains.

A

Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, are responsible for recycling organic matter within an ecosystem and represent the final stop for all food chains.

49
Q

Types of decomposers:

A

Types of decomposers:

fungi
bacteris

50
Q

Decomposers break down organic matter by secreting _________, which partly digest the organic matter, producing small and ________ food molecules.

These molecules then ______ into the decomposer.

A

Decomposers break down organic matter by secreting enzymes, which partly digest the organic matter, producing small and soluble food molecules.

These molecules then diffuse into the decomposer.

51
Q

Pyramids of biomass are:

A

Pyramids of biomass are:

usually pyramid shaped

used to show relative amount of biomass

52
Q

A general rule for transfer efficiency between all trophic levels is that __% of energy from a given trophic level will be available to the next trophic level.

A

A general rule for transfer efficiency between all trophic levels is that 10% of energy from a given trophic level will be available to the next trophic level.

53
Q

at each trophic level energy is ________.

A

at each trophic level energy is wasted.

54
Q

Reasons for energy wastage in food chains:

A

Reasons for energy wastage in food chains:

excretion

digestion

body temperature

movement

55
Q

Biomass is the total mass of ______ material in an organism multiplied by the number of organisms.

A

Biomass is the total mass of living material in an organism multiplied by the number of organisms.

56
Q

Which trophic level tends to contain the most biomass?

A

Which trophic level tends to contain the most biomass?

level 1

57
Q

If there was no wastage, all of the energy that entered a trophic level would be used for _______.

A

If there was no wastage, all of the energy that entered a trophic level would be used for growth.

58
Q

Factors decreasing food security:

A

Factors decreasing food security:

increased birth rates

more extreme meteorological events

diet shifts in developed countries

new pests / pathogens

increased costs of agricultural inputs

conflicts

59
Q

What concept is being described below?

This is achieved when the whole global human population has access to enough safe and nutritious food to stay healthy.

A

What concept is being described below?

Food security
This is achieved when the whole global human population has access to enough safe and nutritious food to stay healthy.

60
Q

In what way do conflicts threaten food security?

A

In what way do conflicts threaten food security?

they reduce access to food and water

61
Q

___________ is the use of biological processes to develop or make products.

A

Biotechnology is the use of biological processes to develop or make products.

62
Q

___________
Produced by growing the fungus Fusarium, this food source is high in protein and fibre, low in fat, and suitable for vegetarians.

___________
This food source has been genetically modified to contain a molecule that helps make vitamin A.

A

Mycoprotein
Produced by growing the fungus Fusarium, this food source is high in protein and fibre, low in fat, and suitable for vegetarians.

Golden rice
This food source has been genetically modified to contain a molecule that helps make vitamin A.

63
Q

Examples of modern biotechnology techniques:

A

Examples of modern biotechnology techniques:

1
Growing microorganisms for food
2
Genetic modification

64
Q

mycoprotein is high in _______ and _______

low in ________

A

mycoprotein is high in protein and fibre

low in fat

65
Q

Golden rice has been genetically modified to contain:

A

Golden rice has been genetically modified to contain:

a molecule that helps make vitamin A

66
Q

Farming techniques for improving food production include:

A

Farming techniques for improving food production include:

1
Shortening food chains
2
Limiting energy transfer from the livestock to the environment
3
High protein foods
67
Q

What has been the primary cause of the drastic decline in global fish stocks?

A

What has been the primary cause of the drastic decline in global fish stocks?

OVERFISHING

68
Q

Methods of sustainable fishing:

A

Methods of sustainable fishing:

set fishing quotas
By restricting the number and size of fish that can be legally caught, the risk of overfishing is greatly reduced.

control net size
Controlling the net (holes) size allows the smaller, younger fish to slip through the net so that they can survive at least until maturity.

69
Q

Declining fish stocks negatively impact:

A

Declining fish stocks negatively impact:

1
Fishermen
2
Food security
3
Food chains
70
Q

How does battery-farming chickens help improve food production efficiency? And are there any disadvantages to this strategy?

A

How does battery-farming chickens help improve food production efficiency? And are there any disadvantages to this strategy?

Battery farming is an example of intensive farming, meaning that the animals are kept indoors in crowded conditions.

These conditions ensure that the chickens stay warm and don’t move too much, both of which reduce the amount of energy that is transferred to the environment.

This increased efficiency results in cost reductions for farmers and consumers.

However, many people consider this practice unethical as the animal’s living conditions are poor.

71
Q

Fishing is sustainable if fish are not caught at a faster rate than they can reproduce.

A

Fishing is sustainable if fish are not caught at a faster rate than they can reproduce.

sarah's biology class (7 decks)

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