Ecosystems key words Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
True or False: Producers are organisms that can make their own food.
True
Fill in the blank: __________ are consumers that eat only plants.
Herbivores
What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
Decomposers break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the environment.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a biotic factor in an ecosystem? A) Water B) Soil C) Plants D) Temperature
C) Plants
Define the term ‘biodiversity’.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms in a particular habitat.
What is a food chain?
A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another.
True or False: Carnivores are organisms that primarily eat other animals.
True
Fill in the blank: A __________ is a large ecosystem characterised by its climate and vegetation.
Biome
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain is a simple linear pathway of energy flow, while a food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of ecosystem? A) Forest B) Desert C) City D) Ocean
C) City
What does the term ‘habitat’ refer to?
A habitat is the natural environment in which a species lives and thrives.
True or False: All ecosystems are self-sustaining.
False
Fill in the blank: __________ are organisms that consume both plants and animals.
Omnivores
What is ecological succession?
Ecological succession is the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.
Multiple Choice: Which process involves the conversion of sunlight into chemical energy? A) Photosynthesis B) Respiration C) Decomposition D) Transpiration
A) Photosynthesis
What is an abiotic factor?
An abiotic factor is a non-living component of an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, and soil.
True or False: Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems.
True
Fill in the blank: __________ is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain.
Carrying capacity
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a primary producer? A) Rabbit B) Oak tree C) Eagle D) Fungi
B) Oak tree
What is the significance of keystone species?
Keystone species are vital for maintaining the structure of an ecosystem and have a disproportionately large effect on their environment.
True or False: Ecosystems can be affected by human activities.
True
Fill in the blank: __________ are organisms that obtain their energy by feeding on other organisms.
Consumers
What is the primary function of the nutrient cycle in an ecosystem?
To recycle nutrients and ensure their availability for living organisms.
What is a food web?
a network of connected food chains that shows how food chains and organisms are related in an ecosystem by what they eat
