People and the Biosphere

Question 1

What are Abiotic Components

Answer 1

Non-living environmental factors that have influence over the ecosystem (e.g climate, light exposure, soil type)

Question 2

Define Altitude

Answer 2

A measurement of the height of the land (usually as height above sea level)

Question 3

Define Altitude zonation

Answer 3

The presence of distinct bands of different vegetation types at different elevation caused by the change of environmental conditions of altitude

Question 4

Define biome

Answer 4

Also known as a global-scale ecosystem; a large, distinct region of the Earth with similar climate, soil, plants and animals

Question 5

Define biosphere

Answer 5

The living layer of Earth between the atmosphere (air) and the lithosphere (crust) where all plants and animals are found

Question 6

Define biotic components

Answer 6

Living organisms that interact with the environment and other organisms within an ecosystem

Question 7

Define boserupian theory

Answer 7

The theory that the demands of the growing population will always be met, as humans will continue to invent new ways to increase resource supply

Question 8

Define Carbon Sequestration

Answer 8

The long-term capture and storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Question 9

Define Coniferous forest biome (taiga/boreal)

Answer 9

A biome located at high latitudes, characterised by conifer trees and a cooled climate

Question 10

Define consumers

Answer 10

Organisms that receive energy from consuming (i.e eating) living organisms

Question 11

Define Decomposers

Answer 11

Organisms that break down organic material and release the nutrients back into the ecosystem

Question 12

Define Desert biome

Answer 12

A biome located around 30° north and south of the equator, characterised by extremely low precipitation levels and extreme daily temperature fluctuations

Question 13

Defien Ecosystem

Answer 13

A natural system in which a community of plants of animals interact with each other and their physical environment

Question 14

Define Eutrophication

Answer 14

The growth of algae in a body of water due to excess nutrients, leading to the depletion of oxygen in an aquatic ecosystem

Question 15

Define Food Chain

Answer 15

A linear relationship showing the biotic interactions within an ecosystem, from a producer to a final consumer

Question 16

Define Hydrological cycle

Answer 16

The continuous transfer of water throughout Earth

Question 17

Define indigenous people

Answer 17

The earliest known settlers in an area

Question 18

Define Industrialisation

Answer 18

The development of the industrial sector in a country or region

Question 19

Define Malthusian theory

Answer 19

The theory that population growth increases exponentially but resource supply only increases linearly

Question 20

Define Mediterranean biome

Answer 20

A biome located 40-45° north of the equator (and in isolated spots south of the equator), characterised by mild, moist winters and hot, dry summers

Question 21

Define Nutrient Cycling

Answer 21

The transfer of nutrients through an ecosystem, from the decay of organic material into the production and energy of living organisms

Question 22

Define producers

Answer 22

Organisms that convert energy from the environment (mainly sunlight) into sugars (glucose)

Question 23

Define Savanna biome

Answer 23

A biome located around 15-30° north and south of the equator, characterised by high temperatures, very dry summers and very wet winters

Question 24

Define Temperate deciduous forest biome

Answer 24

A biome located around 40-50° north and south of the equator, characterised by deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves ) and moderate precipitation

Question 25

Define Temperate grassland biome

Answer 25

A biome located in non-coastal areas around 30-40° north and south of the equator, characterised by low precipitation and grasses as major vegitation

Question 26

Define transpiration

Answer 26

The evaporation of water from plants

Question 27

Define Tropical rainforest biome

Answer 27

A biome located near the equator, characterised by very high precipitation and sustained warm temperatures

Question 28

Define tundra biome

Answer 28

A biome located in the far northern hemisphere, characterised by very cold conditions and permanently frozen soils

Question 29

Define urbanisation

Answer 29

The increase in the proportion of the population living in urban areas