Ecosystems and Ecology

Question 1

Species

Answer 1

Organisms sharing common characteristics that interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Question 2

Habitat

Answer 2

The environment a species normally lives in

Question 3

Niche

Answer 3

An organisms way of life in an ecosystem, including habitat, food, predators, and competition. The biotic and abiotic conditions to which an organism population responds.

Question 4

Population

Answer 4

A group of organisms of the same species
Natality ( Birth Rate)
Mortality ( Death Rate)
Emigration ( Moving Out)
Immigration ( Moving In)

Question 5

Abiotic Factors

Answer 5

Non-living physical factors that influence an organism and ecosystem.
- Wind speed
- Temperature
- Light intensity / Insolation

Question 6

Biotic Factors

Answer 6

Living components of an ecosystem
- Competition
- Parasitism
- Mutualism
- Predation
- Herbivory

Question 7

Carrying Capacity

Answer 7

Maximum number of a species or load that can be sustainably supported by a given area

Question 8

Limiting Factors

Answer 8

Factors which slow down growth of a population as it reaches carrying capacity

Question 9

S Curve Population

Answer 9

Looks like an S and shows the growing capacity with population and time. it is seen when resources are limited.

Question 10

J Curve Population

Answer 10

Resembles a J and has exponential growth regarding time and population. It is seen when resources are unlimited.

Question 11

Community

Answer 11

a group of actually or potentially interacting species living in the same location

Question 12

Ecosystem

Answer 12

Made up of the organisms and physical environment and the interactions between living and non-living components within them.

Question 13

Photosynthesis

Answer 13

Formula: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Energy Movement: takes the captured energy by the plan and stores it as chemical energy. Makes light into chemical energy.

Question 14

Respiration

Answer 14

Formula: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O (glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water)
Energy Movement: The energy in food is converted into energy that can be used by the body’s cells. During cellular respiration, glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide and water, and the energy is transferred to ATP. Releases energy from organic molecules.

Question 14

Bioaccumulation

Answer 14

When harmful substances build up in an organism’s body and can cause problems for the environment.

Question 15

Biomagnification

Answer 15

When harmful substances become more concentrated as they move up the food chain. It can be a big problem for animals and ecosystems.

Question 16

Food Chain

Answer 16

Shows how energy and nutrients are transferred from one organism to another. It starts with producers (plants), then moves to primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), and so on. Each organism relies on the one below it for energy.

Question 17

Food Web

Answer 17

A big network of interconnected food chains. It shows how different organisms in an ecosystem depend on each other for food. Complex web of who eats whom.

Question 18

Trophic Levels

Answer 18

Different levels in a food pyramid. They show the position of an organism in a food chain based on what it eats and what it eats. It helps us understand the flow of energy in an ecosystem.

Question 19

Producers/Autotrophs

Answer 19

“Food factories” of an ecosystem. They make their own food through photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Foundation of the food chain.

Question 20

Primary Consumers

Answer 20

First level of eaters in a food chain. They eat the producers (plants) for energy. They are usually herbivores, next up from the producers in the food chain.

Question 21

Secondary and (Up) consumers

Answer 21

They eat the primary consumers or other secondary consumers. They can be carnivores, omnivores, or even apex predators like lions or sharks. They rely on other organisms for energy.

Question 22

Decomposers/Detrivores

Answer 22

They eat dead plants and animals, breaking them down into tiny pieces and returning nutrients back to the environment. They help keep the ecosystem clean and healthy.

Question 23

About how much energy travels to the next trophic level?

Answer 23

About 10%

Question 24

Pyramid of numbers

Answer 24

Shows that there are more organisms at the bottom (producers) and fewer as you go up (consumers).

Question 25

Pyramid of biomass

Answer 25

Shows that there is more mass at the bottom and less as you go up. Helps us understand how energy and mass are distributed in an ecosystem.

Question 26

Pyramid of productivity

Answer 26

Shows the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem. Shows how much energy is produced and transferred between each level.

Question 27

What happens to sunlight that is not used for Photosynthesis?

Answer 27

It is reflected back into the atmosphere or absorbed by other materials.

Question 28

Primary productivity

Answer 28

The rate at which energy is converted into organic matter by producers in an ecosystem. Amount of food being made by plants for other organisms to consume.

Question 29

Secondary productivity

Answer 29

The rate at which energy is transferred from primary consumers to higher-level consumers in an ecosystem. Shows how much energy is available for organisms that eat other organisms ,

Question 30

Biomes

Answer 30

Large regions on Earth with similar climate, plants, and animals. Eg: deserts, forests, and grasslands.

Question 31

Zonation

Answer 31

Natures way of organism different plant and animal communities in an ecosystem. It’s like different neighborhoods for different species.

Question 32

Succession

Answer 32

How an ecosystem changes and develops over time. Natures way of remodeling and renovating

Question 33

Compare and contrast r strategist vs k strategists

Answer 33

R:
- lots of offspring
- short lifespan
K:
- fewer offspring
-longer lifespan