Ecosystems

Question 1

Define biosphere

Answer 1

Part of the earth that is inhabited by living organisms

Question 2

Define ecosystem

Answer 2

All organisms living in a certain area and abiotic factors

Question 3

Define habitat

Answer 3

place where an organism lives

Question 4

Define abundance

Answer 4

Number of individuals of one species in an area

Question 5

Define distribution

Answer 5

Where a species is in an area

Question 6

Define population

Answer 6

Group of interbreeding individuals in an are (same species)

Question 7

Define community

Answer 7

Populations that share a habitat

Question 8

Define abiotic factor

Answer 8

Non-living factor

Question 9

What are some abiotic factors?

Answer 9

Temperature - affects metabolic activity
Climate - rainfall and wind
Pollution

Question 10

Define topography

Answer 10

Altitude

Question 11

Define edaphic factors

Answer 11

Soil, pH of soil

Question 12

What happens if temperature is different to body temperature?

Answer 12

Use a lot of energy to maintain the right body temp so less energy is available for growth and reproduction

Question 13

Describe competition

Answer 13

Interspecific (between species) - limited food - less energy for growth and reproduction
Intraspecific (same species) -

Question 14

What are some abiotic factors?

Answer 14

Grazing, predation, disease

Question 15

Define mutualism

Answer 15

Relationship in which both benefit

Question 16

Define density dependent

Answer 16

Effects related to population size, larger density=greater competition

Question 17

Define anthropogenic factors

Answer 17

Arising from human activity

Question 18

Stage 1,2 and 3 of primary succession

Answer 18

Starts in newly formed habitats where there hasn’t been a community before
Organisms called pioneer species colonise bare rock - cope with extreme conditions ie lichens or algae
Pioneers break up rock allowing organic material to accumulate - beginning of soil

Question 19

Stage 4,5 and 6 of primary succession`

Answer 19

They change conditions to make it suitable for other species
Mosses build up more organic material in soil which holds water
Small, shallow rooted species germinate and survive

Question 20

Stage 7 and 8 of primary succession

Answer 20

Larger species colonise and compete, replace old communities

A community is reached called a climax community. its stable

Question 21

Describe secondary succession

Answer 21

Bare soil where a community has been cleared
Species adapted to take advantage of new soil:
Rapid growth, seeds dispersed by wind, short life cycle

Question 22

What is deflected succession?

Answer 22

A community that remains stable due to human activity

Grazing