Plants and Biodiversity - Topic 4 (Biodiversity), Element 1 Flashcards
What is a food chain?
A sequence showing how energy moves from producers to consumers.
Define the term ‘producer’ in an ecological context.
Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.
What are the three types of consumers in a food chain?
- Herbivore
- Carnivore
- Omnivore
What is the role of primary consumers in a food chain?
They directly consume producers.
What is an apex predator?
The top predator in a food chain.
True or False: A caterpillar is a primary consumer.
True.
Fill in the blank: The relationship between living organisms and their physical environment is defined as an _______.
[ecosystem]
What is biodiversity?
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
How does biodiversity benefit ecosystems?
It enhances resilience, recovery, and adaptation to changes.
What defines a plant ‘species’?
Plants that share characteristics and can interbreed to produce similar individuals.
What is a habitat?
The environment where a particular organism lives.
What are the two main factors that determine plant diversity in an ecosystem?
- Biotic factors
- Abiotic factors
What is meant by the ‘niche’ of a plant species?
The specific conditions under which a plant can grow and reproduce.
What happens to a food web if plants are removed?
The food web would collapse.
What is the difference between monophagous and polyphagous organisms?
- Monophagous: feed on one species
- Polyphagous: feed on multiple species
Explain the concept of trophic levels.
Levels in a food chain that represent the flow of energy from producers to consumers.
What factors influence the composition of ecological communities?
Environmental factors such as nutrients, temperature, and biotic interactions.
True or False: All species in an ecosystem are equally important.
True.
Fill in the blank: The study of how organisms interact with their environment is known as _______.
[ecology]
What is the significance of detritivores in an ecosystem?
They consume dead matter and waste, contributing to nutrient cycling.
How do horticulturists manipulate the growing environment for plants?
- Cold frames
- Mulch layers
- Creating humid microclimates
- Shading
What is the relationship between plant diversity and the diversity of consumers?
Higher plant diversity leads to greater diversity of primary and secondary consumers.
What are the two main components of an ecosystem?
- Biotic components
- Abiotic components
How does climate affect plant distribution in ecosystems?
It influences adaptations and growth conditions for different species.