Enviro

Question 1

Matter (Nutrients)

Answer 1

Cycles through ecosystems in processes like the nitrogen and carbon cycles. Resources must be recycled.

Question 2

Mutualism

Answer 2

A relationship where both organisms benefit (e.g., tickbird eats ticks off a zebra).

Question 3

Autotrophs (Producers)

Answer 3

make their own food through photosynthesis (plants)

Question 4

Heterotrophs (Consumers)

Answer 4

Must consume other organisms for food.

Question 5

Carnivores

Answer 5

Eat other animals (e.g., lions, cheetahs).

Question 6

Biotic Factors

Answer 6

Living parts of an ecosystem (e.g., animals, plants, bacteria). They influence the lives of other organisms.

Question 7

Abiotic Factors

Answer 7

Non-living parts of an ecosystem (e.g., sunlight, heat, soil, water). They provide the physical environment organisms live in.

Question 8

Energy

Answer 8

Flows through ecosystems (e.g., food webs). Energy is lost as heat during each transfer (only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next).

Question 9

Scavengers

Answer 9

Eat dead animals (e.g., vultures, hyenas).

Question 10

Decomposers

Answer 10

Break down dead matter (e.g., bacteria, fungi).

Question 11

Detritivores

Answer 11

Feed on dead organic material (e.g., earthworms).

Question 12

Food Chain

Answer 12

A linear sequence of organisms eating each other for energy.

Question 13

Food Web

Answer 13

A complex network of many food chains in an ecosystem.

Question 14

Trophic Levels

Answer 14

Primary producers → Primary consumers → Secondary consumers → Tertiary consumers.

Question 15

10% Rule

Answer 15

Only 10% of energy is passed from one level to the next.

Question 16

First Law of Thermodynamics

Answer 16

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or changed in form.

Question 17

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Answer 17

When energy is transferred, its quality decreases (e.g., some energy is lost as heat).

Question 18

Ecological Efficiency

Answer 18

Only 2-40% of energy is transferred between trophic levels. Typically 10% is used in calculations.

Question 19

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

Answer 19

Total solar energy captured by producers.

Question 20

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

Answer 20

GPP minus the energy used by producers during respiration.

Question 21

NPP Formula

Answer 21

NPP = GPP - Respiration.

Question 22

Positive Feedback Loops

Answer 22

Amplify changes (e.g., population growth).

Question 23

Negative Feedback Loops

Answer 23

Counteract changes (e.g., seeking shade to cool down).

Question 24

Water Cycle

Answer 24

Condensation → Precipitation → Infiltration → Runoff → Transpiration → Evaporation.

Question 25

Carbon Cycle

Answer 25

Photosynthesis absorbs CO₂, respiration releases it. Decomposition releases carbon

Question 26

Nitrogen Fixation

Answer 26

a chemical process that converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is absorbed by organisms

converts nitrogen in the atmosphere into forms that plants can absorb through their root systems.

Question 27

Nitrification

Answer 27

Nitrification is a process in the nitrogen cycle where bacteria convert ammonia (NH₃) into nitrites (NO₂⁻) and then into nitrates (NO₃⁻). Plants can absorb nitrates from the soil to use as nutrients for growth. This process helps recycle nitrogen in the environment.

Question 28

Ammonification

Answer 28

Ammonification is when bacteria break down dead plants and animals, releasing ammonia into the soil. This ammonia can then be used by plants or turned into other forms of nitrogen.

Question 29

Denitrification

Answer 29

NO₃- → N₂ (returned to the atmosphere).

Question 30

Phosphorus Cycle

Answer 30

Rocks → Soil → Water systems. Excess phosphorus leads to eutrophication in water bodies.

Question 31

Sulfur Cycle

Answer 31

Sources include volcanoes and the smell of rotten eggs. Sulfur contributes to acid rain

Question 32

Tundra

Answer 32

A cold, treeless biome found in the Arctic and high mountain regions. It has a short growing season, permafrost, and low biodiversity, with plants like mosses and lichens.

Question 33

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

Answer 33

A biome characterized by coniferous forests (pine, spruce, fir) found in northern regions. It has cold winters, mild summers, and moderate rainfall.

Question 34

Temperate Rainforest

Answer 34

Found along coastlines with cool climates and heavy rainfall. These forests have tall trees like cedars, firs, and spruces, with lush vegetation.

Question 35

Temperate Forest

Answer 35

A biome with deciduous trees (oak, maple, beech) that lose their leaves in winter. It has four distinct seasons with moderate rainfall.

Question 36

Tropical Rainforest

Answer 36

A hot, humid biome near the equator with dense, tall trees and a wide variety of plants and animals. It has the highest biodiversity of any biome.

Question 37

Desert

Answer 37

A dry biome with little rainfall. Plants and animals have adapted to survive with minimal water. Temperatures can vary from extremely hot to cold.

Question 38

Grassland

Answer 38

A biome dominated by grasses, with few trees. It has moderate rainfall and is found in regions like prairies or savannas. Supports herbivores like bison or zebras.

Question 39

Savanna

Answer 39

A grassy biome with scattered trees and a warm climate. It has a distinct wet and dry season in Africa, South America, and Australia.

Question 40

Streams

Answer 40

Small, flowing bodies of freshwater that move in one direction. Often start from springs or melting snow.

Question 41

Rivers

Answer 41

Large, flowing bodies of freshwater that move toward the ocean or a lake. They provide habitats for a variety of aquatic life.

Question 42

Lakes

Answer 42

Large, still bodies of freshwater surrounded by land. They can support diverse ecosystems, including fish, birds, and aquatic plants.

Question 43

Oceans

Answer 43

The largest biome, covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface. Oceans are saltwater bodies with varying temperatures and immense biodiversity.

Question 44

Coral Reefs

Answer 44

Marine ecosystems found in shallow, warm waters. Coral reefs are built by corals and are home to a vast array of marine species.

Question 45

Wetlands

Answer 45

Areas where land is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands support plants like reeds and cattails and provide important habitats for wildlife.

Question 46

Estuaries

Answer 46

Where freshwater rivers meet the ocean, creating brackish water (a mix of fresh and saltwater). Estuaries are nutrient-rich and support diverse ecosystems.

Question 47

Kelp Forests

Answer 47

Underwater ecosystems formed by dense growths of kelp, found in cold, nutrient-rich coastal waters. They provide habitat and shelter for marine life.

Question 48

Hydrothermal Vents

Answer 48

Fissures in the ocean floor where heated water rich in minerals is released from beneath the Earth’s crust. These vents support unique ecosystems adapted to extreme conditions.