How are organisms interdependent? B3.3 Flashcards
Why are sugars, fatty acids, glycerol, and amino acids important in food synthesis and breakdown?
Sugars provide energy, fatty acids and glycerol form fats for energy storage, and amino acids build proteins. These molecules are essential for growth, repair, and energy.
What are some qualitative tests for biological molecules?
Benedict’s test for sugars (turns orange-red if positive)
Biuret test for proteins (turns purple)
Ethanol emulsion test for fats (forms a cloudy layer)
Iodine test for starch (turns blue-black)
What’s the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?
Qualitative: information on the presence/ type of a substance
Quantitative: information on the exact amount of a substance
Why are photosynthetic organisms considered main producers of food?
Photosynthetic organisms, like plants, convert sunlight into glucose during photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain as producers and supplying energy for other organisms.
What are the levels of organization in an ecosystem?
Levels include individual organisms, populations (groups of the same species), communities (all populations in an area), and the ecosystem (interactions with the environment).
Levels include individual organisms, populations (groups of the same species), communities (all populations in an area), and the ecosystem (interactions with the environment).
Interdependence allows species to rely on each other for food, shelter, pollination, and more. This balance is essential for ecosystem stability.
What is competition, and why is it important in a community?
Competition occurs when organisms vie for the same resources (e.g., food, space). It helps control population size and influences survival and reproduction.
What are trophic levels in an ecosystem?
Trophic levels represent the feeding positions in a food chain: producers (plants), primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), and tertiary consumers (top predators).
What is a pyramid of biomass, and how is biomass lost at each trophic level?
A pyramid of biomass shows the total mass of organisms at each trophic level. Biomass is lost as energy through respiration, waste, and heat at each level.
How do you calculate the efficiency of biomass transfer?
Efficiency =
(Biomassathigherlevel/Biomassatlowerlevel)×100%.
Low efficiency affects population sizes, as less energy is available at higher levels.
What are abiotic and biotic components in an ecosystem?
Abiotic components are non-living (e.g., water, soil), and biotic components are living (e.g., plants, animals). Substances cycle between these components.
Why are the carbon and water cycles important for living organisms?
The carbon cycle provides carbon for energy and growth, while the water cycle supplies water necessary for cellular processes, hydration, and nutrient transport.
What role do microorganisms play in the circle of life?
Microorganisms decompose organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and atmosphere, which supports the growth of new organisms.
How can you calculate the percentage of mass in cycling ecosystems?
Percentage mass =
(finalmass−initialmass) / initialmass×100%,
used to track mass changes in organisms or ecosystem components.
How do temperature and water content affect decomposition?
Higher temperatures and adequate water content speed up decomposition by promoting microbial activity, while low oxygen slows decomposition in anaerobic environments.
