Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

biology > P2B9 - Ecosystems and Material cycles > Flashcards

P2B9 - Ecosystems and Material cycles Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Whats an ecosystem?

A

All organisms AND the environment inwhich they live

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Whats a populaytion?

A

All organisms of a particular kind living in the same area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Whats a community?

A

All organisms that live + interact within an ecosystem.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Whats interdependence?

A

How all organisms that live together for survival

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Whats the structure of an ecosystem?

A

Individual organism - Population - Community - Ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does ecosystem diversity depend on?

A

The amount of resources available and competition betwen the diff populatuins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is abiotic and biotic?

A

Abiotic is non living
Biotic is living

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why is interdependence vital?

A

It limits competition and increases biodiversity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is symbiotic also known as?

A

Mutualistic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is abiotic caused by?
Examples of abiotic factors?

A

Environment that affect organisms
Temp
Water
Ph nutrients in soil
Light
Pollution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is biotic?
Example?

A

Living organisms in an ecosystem
Predators
Competition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the 2 methods of sampling populations?

A
  • random quadrat sample
  • Belt transect
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How to calculate a sample ppulation using quadrats?

A

N.o of organisms in all quadrats
X
total size of area / Total area of quadrate=s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do natural abiotic factors affect communities?

A

If abiotic factors change then the abundance of organisms will change as their characteristics are no longer beneficial and could affect distribution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are pollutants?
Examples

A

All substances that cause harm in the environment.
Poisons
Plastics
Fertilisers resulting in Eutrophication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the stages of Eutrophication?

A
  1. Fertilisers in water increases the conc of nitrates and phosphates
  2. This causes algae to grow on surface of water which blocks sunlight
  3. Plants underwater cannot photosynthesise, so less oxygen in water
  4. Causing marine life to
    die bc they cannot respire
  5. Due to decay, increase in bacteria and biodiversity decreases.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How can competition affect communities?

A

In large communities, many biotic factors affect predator and prey number.
In small communities, predator - prey cycles can be seen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Why would prey pop decrease while predator pop decreases?

A

Because theres less food and more competition within the predator population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the 3 feeding relationships?

A

Trophic (Predator/prey)
Parasitism (a parasite + a host)
Mutualism (symbiotic - both benefit)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How does parasitism affect the survival of some organisms? eXAMPLES?

A

The host provides food for the parasites but can survive for a long period.
lice
tapeworms live inside hosts intestines causing malnutrition.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Why are bees and anemone an example of mutualism?

A

Bees + flowers
1. Bees get food from the flower (nectar)
2. Flower gets pollinated

Anemone + clownfish
1. Clown fish get shelter + protection from anemone
2. Anemone is kept clean by the clown fish

22
Q

What if fish farming?

A

Growing fish for food in a defined space

23
Q

What are the advantages of fish farming?

A

Reduces overfishing which maintains biodiversity
More fish can be farmed (food)

24
Q

What are the disavabateges of fish famring?

A

Can harm organisms due to food/faeces which reduces biodiversity.
Parasites/disease introduced to ecosystem which reduces biodiversity .

25
Q

What are indigenous and native species?

A

Organisms that have always been in an area.

26
Q

Why might introducing a
non-indigenous species to an area affect the indigenous species there?

A

If it increases competition = biodiversity decreases

Non indigenous species can introduce parasites.

27
Q

How does eutrophication affect abiotic factors?

A

Nitrate conc of water increase
Oxygen levels of water decrease

28
Q

How does eutrophication affect biotic factors?

A

Algae grows RAPIDLY on surface
Underwater plants do less photosynthesis
Marine life die bc cant respire
Bacteria (decomposers) breakdown dead matter

29
Q

What is conservation?

A

The protection of a habitat or species to prevent damage.

30
Q

What are ways species can be conserved>

A

Captive breeding
Legal protection of habittas
Links between habitats so they can roam easily and widely to find mates
Education
Rebuild habitats

31
Q

How can deforestation affect biodievery??

A

Higher light intensity, no shade or shelter
Increases wind as no wind break from trees]
Increased risk of flooding = eutrophication + unstable ground
Less nutrients in soil
Less biodiversity as more competition

32
Q

What materials cycle thru ecosystems?

A
  1. water - precipitation etc
    2 carbon - co2 containing compounds
    3 nitrogen - lightning, nitrogen fixing bacteria
33
Q

What does the water cycle describe?

A

How water moves thru the abiotic and biotic parts of an ecosystem

34
Q

Whats the water cycle

A

Water in ocean (liquid h20)
-
Water evaporates in oceans, lakes and rivers to form water vapour (gas)
-
As air rises it cools so water vapour in it condenses to form clouds (liquid)
-
As water droplets get too large and dense they fall as rain or snow (precip)
-
Ground water

35
Q

How is potable drinking water produced?

A
  1. Water from water cycle is filled to remove insoluble solids
  2. Heat treatment to kill microorganisms
  3. chLORINation/treat with other chemicals to clean water and improve taste

OR

A still can be used to collect water
Desalination extracts salt from seawater
Fractional distillation to extract water from air

36
Q

What is a decomposer? example

A

Microorganisms that cause decay (breakdown of substances) include fungi and bacteria which breakdown CARBON CONTAINING COMPOUNDS

37
Q

how do fossil fuels form and what happens if they dont?

A

dead animals and plants inn the right conditions. If not, decomposers breakdown the dead animals/plants + they also respire, releasing CO2 into atmosphere.

38
Q

Why do plants need nitrates?

A

plants need nitrogen from environment, so that they can convert glucose to nitrogen-containing compounds such as proteins and nucleic acids. (dna)

39
Q

what are ways farmers increase the conc of nitrates in soiL?

A

Artificial fertilisers
Natural fertilisers
Crop rotation legume foods
Fallow land

40
Q

advantages of artificail fertlisers?

A

easy to use
known amount of nutriwnts on label
dissolives easily in soil

41
Q

disadvantages of artfiicial fertilisers?

A

Eutrophication
decreases biodiveristy

42
Q

Advantages of natural feertilisers?

A

Make use of natural waste
Free/cheap

43
Q

disadvantes of natura; fertiliserd?

A

Spread (eg manure) weeks in advance as soil bacteria needs to break down proteins into nitrates.
Less oxygen in soil

44
Q

advanatges of crop rotation legume foods?

A

Doesnt use fertilisers
Crops still produced

45
Q

Disadvantges of crop rotation legume foods?

A

Less money as less demand for legume

46
Q

advantages of fallow land?

A

No cost of maintenance or fertilisers

47
Q

disadvantages of fallow land?

A

no crops = no money

48
Q

What is food security?

A

having access to enough safe, healthy food at al times

49
Q

Where is food security an issue in?

A

Very poor countries
Countries in conflict
Can become a problem everywhere due to exponential growth of human population.

50
Q

how can we improve food security?

A

Agricultural methods
More productive varieties of plants + animals

51
Q

What can climate change cause if temps are continuously increasing?

A

Can cause pathogens in new areas while non resistant crops and animals can be easily infected.

Pathogens survive in warmer temperatures. eg. blue tongue virus.

Flooding + drought impacts crop growing + land for meat production

52
Q

What are some solutions to decrease climate change?
Why is growing plants for biofuel good to replace fossil fuels?

A

Reduce carbon emissions.
We can grow plants for biofuel to replace fossil fuels.
Biofuels are carbon neutral so the carbon released by burning a biofuel is only the amount removed from the air as the crops grow. (photosynthesis)

biology (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions