Life On Earth 1 Flashcards
What is the definition of biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the total variation that exists among all living things on Earth.
What is a biotic factor? Examples
A biotic factor is a factor created by a living thing which affects life of another organism. ( Predation, competition, disease, over population, micro-organism levels, grazing)
What is a abiotic factor? Examples.
A abiotic factor is a non-living chemical or physical factor in the environment.(air temperature, soil pH, light intensity, oxygen concentration, water availability, rock type, nutrients)
Name examples of human factors?
Habitat destruction, over fishing, population levels, conservation, land use.
What is a biome?
Biomes are the various regions of our planet as distinguished by their similar climate, flora, fauna.
What does Flora mean?
Flora means planet life.
What does fauna mean?
Fauna means animal life.
What is an ecosystem?
The community of living things and all the habitats.
What is a community?
All the different species of organisms.
What is a population?
The number of organisms belonging to the same species.
What is a habitat?
The place where an organism lives.
What is a niche?
The role of an organism within the ecosystem.
Name 3 biomes?
Tropical rainforest, tundra, taiga
Name two climate factors that influence the distribution of biomes?
Temperature, rainfall
Complete the diagram
Ecosystem= habitat + ____________
Community
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Water + carbon dioxide –sunlight–> glucose + oxygen
What do all food chains begin with?
A producer
Why are plants called producers?
Plants are called producers because they can make their own food by photosynthesis.
what are organisms called that can’t photosynthesis?
Consumers
What are animals that only eat plants called?
Herbivores
What are animals called that eat other animals?
Carnivores
Animals that eat both plant and animals are called what?
Omnivores
What does the arrow represent in a food chain?
The arrow in a food chain represents the transfer of energy.
What are 3 ways by which the energy can be lost?
Movement, heat, undigested materials
What is a pyramid of numbers?
A pyramid of numbers is a diagram showing the number of organisms at each level in a food chain.
What is a pyramid of biomass?
A pyramid of biomass is a diagram showing the total mass of organisms at each level in a food chain.
What is a pyramid of energy?
A pyramid of energy is the the energy content of the organisms at each level in the food chain.
What is ammonium?
Toxic substance formed by decomposers during decomposition
What is denitrification?
The conversion of nitrate by denitrifying bacteria into les useful nutrients such as nitrogen gas and ammonia
What is denitrifying bacteria?
Bacteria that carry out denitrification
What is inter-specific competition?
Competition between two DIFFERENT species of organism
What is intra-specific competition
Competition between organisms of the SAME species
What is a nitrate?
A nutrient that contains nitrogen. Plants require nitrate to make proteins and nucleic acids
What is nitrification?
The conversion of useless forms of nitrogen such as ammonia or nitrate into nitrite. Nitrification is good for soil.
What is nitrifying bacteria?
Bacteria that carry out nitrification.
What is nitrogen
An element that is needed by all living things because it forms part of protein molecules
What is nitrogen fixation?
The process by which nitrogen in its gaseous form is converted into ammonia.
What is photosynthesis?
The process by which plants make their own food using sunlight
What is a species?
A group of animals or plants that can breed together to produce sexually viable offspring
