Grade 9 Biology Flashcards
Ecology
Define Biology
The study of living things
Define Ecology
The study of ecosystems
What are living things
Biologists consider to be alive if it is made up of one or more cells
Define atoms
The smallest whole unit of matter, atoms are the building blocks that all matter is composed of
Examples of Atoms
Carbon atom, Hydrogen atom, Oxygen atom
Define molecules
Groups of atoms joined by chemical bonds
Examples of molecules
H2O, DNA, Carbohydrates (CH2O), C6H12O6
Define Cells
The smallest functional unit of life. Composed of many different molecules
Examples of cells
Sperm cell, muscle cell, bone cell, skin cell, neural cell, blood cell
Define Tissues
Groups of cells of the same type working together to carry out a specific function
Examples of tissue
Muscle, bone, blood, nervous tissue, skin
Define Organs
Groups of tissues working together to carry out a specific function
Organ System
Groups of organs working together to carry out a specific function
Examples organ systems
Digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory, central nervous system
Define Individual organisms
Groups of organ systems working together to form an individual living thing
Define Population
Groups of organisms of the same species living in the same area
Examples of populations
A herd of zebras, a family, a school of perch
Define Community
Several populations (more than one species) living in the same area
Examples of communities
A forest, a garden, ocean, animal sanctuary, the neighbourhood of Forest Hill
Define Ecosystem
Communities and the abiotic and biotic interactions within them (Abiotic meaning non-living and biotic meaning living)
Examples of abiotic factors
Sunlight, nutrients, soil, water, climate
Examples of biotic interactions
competition, mating, predator-prey interactions
Define Sustainable Ecosystem
Ecosystems that can continue thriving at the same rate
Biosphere
The living zone. The biosphere contains all ecosystems, where living things exist, the biosphere: the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and hydrosphere
Predator-prey interactions
This interaction describes the relationship where on organism hunts and feeds on (predator) another organism (prey)
Symbiosis
This interaction describes the relationship between organisms living in the same location where at least one benefits
- Mutualism (+/+)
- Parasitism (+/-)
- Commensalism (+/o)
Competition
This interaction describes how organisms of the same species or of different species will “fight” over resources (food/prey, habitat, water, mates)
What is the reason for many interactions
Several interactions result because organisms need to obtain nutrient molecules from food.
Define autotrophs
“self-feeder” - can produce their own food molecules
Define heterotrophs
“another-feeder” - relies on other biotic organisms for food molecules
Examples of autotrophs
- algae, seaweed - kelp, phytoplankton (microscopic algae), elodea
- birch tree, rose bush, grass, sunflower, pine tree
Consumers can be further classified into:
Primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, quaternary consumers, and decomposers
Define Primary consumer
organisms that consume first (feed on producers)
Define herbivore
When an organism only feeds on producers they are known as a herbivore
Define Secondary consumer
Consume second (feed on primary consumers)
Define carnivore
When an organism only feeds on other consumers they are known as a carnivore
Define Tertiary consumer
Consume third (feed on secondary consumers)
Define Quaternary consumers
Consumes fourth (feeds on tertiary consumers)
Define omnivore
When an organism consumes both producers and consumers it is known as an omnivore
Define decomposers
These organism rely on other organisms for food but play a special role in the ecosystem: decomposers help recycle nutrient molecules and atoms from an organism’s body back into the environment
Define detritivores
Decomposers that only feed on dead and decaying organisms are called detritivores
Are all decomposers detritivores
Not all decomposers are detritivores, detritivores feed off of dead or decaying matter exclusively, some decomposers like scavengers can feed off of living matter
Carrion
Carrion is a term that describes a dead organism