Outcome 1

Question 1

Describe and give examples of a Habitat

Answer 1

An ecological/ environmental area inhabited by a particular species of organisms
examples include:
pond
tree
grass

Question 2

Describe and give examples of a Population

Answer 2

All organisms of the same species that live in the same area and are capable of interbreeding.
examples include:
rabbits
daisies

Question 3

Describe and give examples of a Community

Answer 3

A group of interacting populations
examples include:
rabbits interacting with daisies

Question 4

Describe and give examples of a Biome

Answer 4

A large ecological area where floral and fauna adapting to the environment
examples include:
desert
tundra
forest

Question 5

Describe and give examples of Ecosystems

Answer 5

An interaction of all of the living and non-living components in a particular area, interacting populations are grouped into communities
examples include:
rocky shore
woodland
moorland

Question 6

Describe Abiotic factors

Answer 6

Abiotic factors are non-living factors that would affect on an ecosystem eg temperature

Question 7

Describe biotic factors

Answer 7

Biotic factors are describes as living components that would affect on an ecosystem eg plants, animals, bacteria

Question 8

Give two examples of Abiotic edaphic factors

Answer 8

Soil texture- different plants will be able to grow
soil air- determines firmness, for the ability for organisms to move through the soil
soil temperature- will affect growth and decomposition

Question 9

Give two examples of Abiotic climate factors

Answer 9

Temperature - affects which organisms will be able to survive in the ecosystem
Water availability- rainfall will determine how much water is available in an ecosystem

Question 10

What is meant by the term Biogeochemical cycling?

Answer 10

Refers to the movement of a chemical substances through both abiotic and biotic compartments of an ecosystem eg carbon, phosphorus, water, nitrogen cycles.

Question 11

Give the positive effects of grazing on an ecosystem

Answer 11

Restores native plants in areas that have been overgrazed, under grazed or disturbed by humans eg lower growing plants or herbs.

Question 12

Give the negative effects of grazing on an ecosystem

Answer 12

Increase soil erosion, poor waste quality, loss of biodiversity

Question 13

Population levels can vary greatly depending on numbers of predator and prey. Give specific details of how these population levels can change

Answer 13

When prey have an abundance of resources such as food, they are able to multiply, therefore predators can also multiply. As prey population increases, predator population will increase. This will in turn cause prey population to decrease and predator population will also decrease.

Question 14

Describe the term Mutualism

Answer 14

A relationship where both species will gain a benefit. Eg clownfish living in a sea Anemone

Question 15

Describe the term Commensalism

Answer 15

A relationship where one of the species is benefited where the other is unaffected. Eg Barnacles on a humpback whale.

Question 16

Describe the term Parasitism

Answer 16

A relationship where one species befits and the other is harmed. Eg tick on dog

Question 17

Describe the term of Niche

Answer 17

A specialised role of a species within an ecosystem

Question 18

Describe the term of Autotrough

Answer 18

Also known as (Primary) Producers, these are organisms which produce their food from sunlight

Question 19

Describe the term of Heterotroph

Answer 19

Also known as ‘consumers’ these are organisms which feed on organisms which have already assimilated light energy into organic molecules. In other words they must eat other organisms to obtain energy.

Question 20

Describe the term of Decomposer

Answer 20

bacteria and fungi, which breakdown organic material into carbon dioxide, water and minerals by the process of respiration, releasing energy.

Question 21

Describe the term of Primary succession

Answer 21

The process of succession which occurs in places which have not supported ecosystems before. At the start of succession no soil is present. The soil is formed by the action of living organisms.

Question 22

Describe the term Pioneer Succession

Answer 22

succession of the first species to colonize a bare rock in primary succession or the first to colonize a destroyed habitat in secondary succession

E.g., Lichen, the first species that can colonise bare rock. Being able to survive desiccation and exposure

Question 23

Describe the term Climax community

Answer 23

The final stage in the succession process at which point there are no further changes in species composition and the community of plants and animals present remains stable.

Question 24

Describe the term Secondary succession

Answer 24

takes place where either human activity or a natural event has removed the existing vegetation. For example after a forest fire or when former agricultural land is abandoned

Question 25

Describe the term Carrying Capacity

Answer 25

The maximum population size that a given area can sustain (due to availability of resources).

Question 26

How much energy is transferred from each trophic level and where is it wasted?

Answer 26

10% of the energy is transferred between each trophic level. energy is lost through respiration, heat, movement and faeces

Question 27

Describe the 5 main processes involved in the water cycle

Answer 27

Evaporation- the transformation of water from liquid to gas phases as it moves from ground level to atmosphere.
Condensation- the transformation of water vapour to liquid droplets in the atmosphere creating clouds and fog.
Precipitation- condensed water that falls to earth usually in the form of rain, sleet or snow.
Flow- the flow of water under or over ground, groundwater may return to the surface or seep into the ocean.
Transpiration- water vapour entering the atmosphere via plant leaves.

Question 28

Describe the 5 main processes involved in the carbon cycle

Answer 28

Diffusion- carbon dioxide is a gas. it moves from high to low concentration. this causes it to enter plant leaves.
Photosynthesis- Carbon dioxide is combined with hydrogen to make glucose in plants and algae.

Respiration- Animals consume producers in a food chain. The carbohydrates from the plant materials is used as fuel for respiration. Carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere when an animal breathes out.

Combustion- This processes involves the burning of carbon containing fuels such as wood and coal.

Decomposition- Bacteria and fungi use decaying plant or animal materials as fuel. carbon is returned to the atmosphere when these decomposers respire.

Question 29

Describe the 5 main processes involved in the Nitrogen cycle

Answer 29

Nitrogen fixation- nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia by nitrogen fixing bacteria.
this can be taken up by plants.
Nitrification- this is the conversion of ammonia to nutrients and then nitrates by soil bacteria.
Assimilation- the Uptake of nutrients by plant roots for use in the manufacture of portions.
Ammonification- is the conversion of nitrogen containing compounds back to ammonium during decomposition of dead plants and animals by saprotrophs.
Denitrification- denitrifying bacteria convert soil nitrates into nitrogen gas, which escapes to the atmosphere.