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Biology > Populations, sustainability and ecosystems > Flashcards

Populations, sustainability and ecosystems Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is an ecosystem

A

All the biotic and abiotic components in a specific area and their interactions

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2
Q

What are biotic factors

A

Living factors

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3
Q

What are abiotic factors

A

Non-living factors

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4
Q

Name 4 biotic factors

A

Plants
Animals
fungi
bacteria

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5
Q

Name 4 abiotic factors

A

Light
Temperature
pH
Water

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6
Q

What are the components of an ecosystem

A

Habitat
Population
Community

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7
Q

What is a habitat

A

A place where an organism or population live

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8
Q

What is a population

A

A group of organisms of the same species which live in the same place

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9
Q

What is a community

A

All of the populations of different species who live in the same place

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10
Q

What is a niche

A

An organisms specific role in the ecosystem

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11
Q

What is biomass

A

The total weight of living matter in a certain area, transferred up trophic levels through consumption

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12
Q

How can biomass be measured

A

Can be measured in terms of mass of carbon, or dry mass of tissue

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13
Q

Give the equation for efficiency of biomass transfer

A

Efficiency = biomass transferred/biomass intake * 100

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14
Q

How can human activities affect biomass transfer

A

Light, water, temperature maximised

Increased nutrients in soil

Pests and weeds removed

Growth rates boosted

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15
Q

Outline the roles of microorganisms in the nitrogen cycle

A

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert gaseous nitrogen into ammonia

Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonium compounds into nitrates

Nitrobacter then convert nitrites into nitrates

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16
Q

Give two examples of nitrogen-fixing bacteria

A

Rhizobium in roots
Azotobacter in soil

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17
Q

Give an example of a nitrifying bacteria

A

Nitrosomonas

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18
Q

Outline the role of organisms in the carbon cycle

A

Respiration of plants and animals add carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Photosynthesis of plants removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Decomposers decay plant and animal material into carbon dioxide

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19
Q

Define primary succession

A

Where an area previously devoid of life is colonised by a community of organisms

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20
Q

Explain the process of primary succession

A

Pioneer species, able to survive harsh conditions, colonise the area

They die, decompose and add nutrients to the ground

Over time, this allows more complex organisms to survive

21
Q

What is a climax community

A

The final stage of succession, where the ecosystem is balanced and stable

22
Q

How is a climax community reached

A

When the soil is rich enough to support large trees or shrubs and the environment is no loner changing

23
Q

What is deflected succession

A

Where succession is interrupted, usually be human interference

24
Q

Define carrying capacity

A

The maximum population size that a habitat can support, defined by the presence of limiting factors

25
Q

Give factors that limit the maximum size of a population

A

Food
water
Light
Oxygen
Shelter
predators

26
Q

Describe the pattern of a predator-prey relationship in terms of population change

A

Prey is eaten y predator, predator population increases and prey population decreases

Fewer prey means increased competition for food, so predator population decreases

Fewer predators means more prey survives

27
Q

What is intraspecific competition

A

Competition between organisms of the same species

28
Q

What is interspecific competition

A

Competition between organisms of different species

29
Q

What is conservation

A

Maintains biodiversity of a habitat, by allowing sustainable use of the resources there

30
Q

What is preservation

A

Maintains biodiversity of a habitat by minimising human impact

31
Q

What are the 3 reasons why we conserve and preserve

A

Economic
Social
Ethical

32
Q

Define sustainability

A

Using resources in a way that also maintains them for the future

33
Q

How can timber production be made sustainable

A

Coppicing to encourage growth

Replacing felled trees

Selective cutting

34
Q

How can fishing be made sustainable

A

Stocks not depleted

No overfishing

35
Q

What is the equation for consumer production

A

Net production = energy stored - (Energy lost + energy used)

36
Q

What is the unit for measuring primary production of woodland

A

Kg m-2 yr-1

37
Q

What is the unit for measuring primary production of woodland

A

Kg m-2 yr-1

38
Q

How could you investigate insect biodiversity

A

Sweep nets
Pooters
Pitfall traps

39
Q

What is nitrogen fixing

A

Process of converting nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonium ion

40
Q

What is nitrification

A

The process of converting ammonium ions into nitrites

41
Q

What is denitrification

A

The removal of nitrogen from the soil

42
Q

What is decomposition

A

breaking down organic matter itno inorganic

43
Q

What are examples of limiting factors

A

Food
Habitat
Predators
Disease

44
Q

What is succession

A

A change in an ecosystem overtime

45
Q

What is secondary succession

A

succession taking place in an
area where some vegetation already present

46
Q

What conditions are needed for nitrogen fixation by rhizobium

A

Anaerobic conditions
Supply of ATP
Hydrogen

47
Q

What protein is produced by legume plants to absorb oxygen

A

leghaemoglobin

48
Q

What do rhizobium and azotobacter convert nitrogen in to

A

Nh4+

49
Q

What do denitrifying bacteria do

A

Convert nitrates into N2

Biology (18 decks)

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