Ecosystems

Question 1

Define: econsystem

Answer 1

made up of all biotic and abiotic factors interacting and co-existing.

Question 2

Define: biosphere

Answer 2

the regions of the surface and atmosphere of the earth or another planet occupied by living organisms

Question 3

Define: hydrosphere

Answer 3

all the waters on the earth’s surface, underground and in the air

Question 4

Define: atmosphere

Answer 4

a mixture of gases that surrounds the planet

Question 5

Define: lithosphere

Answer 5

The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle

Question 6

Define: mineralisation

Answer 6

the process of organic matter breaking down into ammonium

Question 7

Define: nitrification

Answer 7

the process of ammonium being converted by bacteria into nitrites and nitrates

Question 8

Define: denitrification

Answer 8

the process of micro-organisms converting nitrates into nitrogen gas

Question 9

Define: volitalisation

Answer 9

the process of urine being converted into ammonia gas

Question 10

Define: nitrogen fixation

Answer 10

the process of nitrogen in the atmosphere being converted into a form that is bio-available, through lightning or the rhyzobia that live on plants such as legume roots

Question 11

List three human impacts on the nitrogen cycle

Answer 11

The use of nitrogen fertilisers or manure leads to run-off into streams and rivers, causing algae blooms.

Factories emissions cause nitrogen to be released into the atmosphere.

Deforestation causes less nitrogen from the atmosphere to be absorbed

Question 12

Identify two plastics that impact a food web

Answer 12

Styrofoam in waterways attracts toxins as it breaks down into smaller pieces, which then are eaten by water life, poisoning it.