Ecology Part 2

Question 1

What is eutrophication

Answer 1

The effect of fertiliser leaching into water

Question 2

Describe how eutrophication occurs

Answer 2

1) Fertilisers rich in nitrogen and phosphare leach from fields into nearby water sources
2) The extra nitrate and phosphate causes plant growth at the top of the water (algae)
3) Algae bloom present, stops light reaching plants below so can’t photosynthesis and they die
4) Saprobionts decompose the dead plants. Animals have no oxygen due ot lack of photosynthesis and the saprobionts use oxygen left for respiration
5) All plants and animals in the pond have died

Question 3

What is a producer

Answer 3

Photosynthetic organisms that manufacture organic substances using light energy, water, carbon dioxide, and mineral ions

Question 4

What is a consumer

Answer 4

Organism that obtains their energy by feeding on other organisms rather than using energy of sunlight.

Question 5

What are the different types of consumers

Answer 5

Primary = eat producers
Secondary = eat primary (usually predators)
Tertiary = eat secondary (usually predators)

Question 6

Saprobionts definition

Answer 6

Group of organisms that break down complex materials in dead organisms into simpler ones.

Question 7

What do saprobionts do in the nitrogen cycle

Answer 7

Decompose proteins
Producing ammonium compounds

Question 8

What are saprobionts

Answer 8

Fungi and bacteria

Question 9

What is a food chain

Answer 9

Describes feeding relationship between animals in an ecosystem.
Each stage is a trophic level
Arrows in the food chain represent direction of energy flow

Question 10

Food webs definition

Answer 10

In a single habitat many food chains will be lined together to form a food web.