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Biology (Mona) > Principles of Ecology > Flashcards

Principles of Ecology Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Ecology

A

the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment

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2
Q

Habitat

A

the place where an organism or group of organisms live

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3
Q

community

A

all the organisms in an ecosystem or habitat

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4
Q

population

A

all the organisms of the same species living in an area

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5
Q

ecosystem

A

organisms and their (non-living) environment together

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6
Q

biosphere

A

the part of the earth where life can exist

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7
Q

niche

A

the functional role of an organism in an ecosystem (or food chain) e.g green plants are producers

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8
Q

main feature of a desert ecosystem

A

low rainfall e.g sahara

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9
Q

main feature of a tropical rainforest ecosystem

A

high rainfall and warm summers e.g West Africa and Brazil

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10
Q

main feature of a temperate deciduous forest ecosystem

A

high rainfall and warm summers e.g eastern USA and western Europe

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11
Q

main feature of marine ecosystem

A

salt water e.g oceans and sea shorts

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12
Q

2 types of organisms in an ecosystem

A

producers

consumers

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13
Q

producers

A

autotrophs - organisms that make their own food using simple molecules (mainly green plants)

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14
Q

consumers

A

heterotrophs - organisms that cannot make their own food and take in and use food made by others

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15
Q

3 types of consumers

A

primary consumers
secondary consumers
tertiary consumers

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16
Q

primary consumers

A

herbivores - organisms that eat plants, e.g rabbits eat grass, bees eat pollen

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17
Q

secondary consumers

A

carnivores - organisms that eat animals (the primary consumers) e.g foxes eat rabbits, spiders eat flies

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18
Q

tertiary consumers

A

top carnivores - organisms that eat secondary consumers e.g thrushes eat spiders

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19
Q

omnivores

A

organisms that eat both plant and animal material e.g hedgehog, blackbird

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20
Q

decomposers

A

e.g saprophytic bacteria and fungi, these organisms live and feed on dead organisms

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21
Q

ecosystems can only flow if

A

energy is constantly taken in from an external force

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22
Q

primary source of energy for our planet

A

the sun and its ecosystems

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23
Q

what do feeding relationships in food chains and food webs show?

A

the pathway of energy flow in an ecosystem

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24
Q

food chain

A

a pathway along which food is passed from one species to another

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25
Q

a grazing food chain

A

a food chain that begins with a plant (a producer)

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26
Q

trophic level

A

each feeding stage

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27
Q

what is passed on from one trophic level to the next

A

a small amount of energy

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28
Q

most energy is lost as

A

heat in respiration

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29
Q

why are food chains generally short?

A

because of the loss of energy

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30
Q

food web

A

a number of interconnected food chains

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31
Q

pyramid of number shows

A

the number of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain

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32
Q

as you go up the pyramid 2

A

size of organism increases

number of organisms decreased

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33
Q

2 limitations of the pyramid of numbers

A

number of organisms may be difficult to count accurately

does not take size of organism into account

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34
Q

heat energy cannot be recycled and as a result

A

energy flows through ecosystems in one direction only

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35
Q

what can be continuously recycled and reused?

A

biomolecule such as carbon and nitrogen

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36
Q

biochemical cycles

A

biomolecules released from the bodies of dead organisms and taken in and reused by living organisms in these cycles

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37
Q

how much of living matter is made up by carbon?

A

about 18%

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38
Q

major source of carbon for living organisms

A

CO2

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39
Q

4 main events in the carbon cycle

A

photosynthesis
respiration
decay
combustion

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40
Q

photosynthesis

A

green plants take in CO2 and use it in photosynthesis to make carbohydrate, animals get carbon by eating plants and other organisms

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41
Q

respiration

A

all living organisms breakdown carbon compounds and release CO2

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42
Q

decay

A

microorganisms (decomposers) break down dead organisms and release CO2

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43
Q

combustion

A

burning of fossil fuels releases CO2

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44
Q

2 reasons why CO2 in atmosphere is increasing

A

increased combustion of fossil fuel

increased deforestation

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45
Q

2 effects of global warming

A

rising sea levels

rising deforestation

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46
Q

4 molecules with nitrogen

A

protein, DNA, RNA, ATP

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47
Q

composition of air - nitrogen

A

80%

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48
Q

plants take in nitrogen as

A

nitrate (NO3) dissolved in soil water

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49
Q

what does the nitrogen cycle ensure?

A

that nitrogen is available for use by living organisms

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50
Q

continued supply of nitrogen involves 2

A

nitrogen fixation

recycling of nitrogen

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51
Q

nitrogen fixation

A

nitrogen gas converted to nitrate and ammonia

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52
Q

what does nitrogen fixation

A

some bacteria e.g rhizobium

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53
Q

where do rhizobium live?

A

in nodules or swellings on the roots of legumes e.g clover, soya, peas

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54
Q

describe the symbiosis of nitrogen - fixing bacteria

A

bacteria take in N2 gas and convert it to nitrate which is given to the plant the plant in return gives food and shelter to the bacteria

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55
Q

recycling of nitrogen

A

nitrates and nitrogen gas are reformed from protein in dead organisms by different bacteria in the soil

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56
Q

3 types of bacteria in the soil

A

saprophytes
nitrifying bacteria
denitrifying bacteria

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57
Q

saprophytes recylce

A

protein

ammonia

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58
Q

nitrifying bacteria recycle

A

ammonia

nitrite nitrite nitrite

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59
Q

denitrifying bacteria recycle

A

nitrate

nitrogen (N2)

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60
Q

2 types of environmental factors affecting organisms

A

abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living)

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61
Q

abiotic factors

A

the non-living features of the environment that affect living organisms

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62
Q

2 types of abiotic factors

A

edaphic

climatic

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63
Q

edaphic factors

A

factors relating to the soil

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64
Q

main edaphic factors

A 
particle size 
humus content 
water content 
air content 
mineral content 
pH
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65
Q

particle size of sandy soil

A

contains large sand particles - tend to lose water and minerals and relatively infertile

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66
Q

particle size of clay soil

A

contains a large amount of small clay particles - retain water and minerals but tend to waterlog and become infertile

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67
Q

particle size of loam soil

A

contains a mixture of sand and clay particles and is the most fertile soil

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68
Q

humus

A

decaying organic matter in the soil that provides food, retains water and minerals and helps bind soil particles together

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69
Q

where do earthworms thrive?

A

in humus rich soil

70
Q

why is water content significant ?

A

water is needed for photosynthesis, transpiration and general metabolism. minerals enter plats dissolved in water

71
Q

air content

A

this provides oxygen for plant root, microorganism and animal respiration, plants don’t grow well in oxygen-poor soils e.g waterlogged soil

72
Q

mineral content

A

minerals like magnesium and nitrogen are needed by plants for healthy growth, lack of magnesium causes yellowing of leaves or chlorosis, lack of nitrogen causes stunted growth

73
Q

pH

A

plants and animals have certain pH requirements e.g bog mosses and heathers need an acid soil
most plants prefer neutral soil

74
Q

the major climactic factors that affect the distribution and behaviour of organisms

A 
temperature 
rainfall
light intensity 
humidity 
day length
75
Q

temperature

A

affects the rate of metabolism in living this. higher temperatures cause rapid plant growth in summers
lower temperatures cause the hibernation of some animals during the winter and the death of others

76
Q

rainfall

A

provides water - essential for life and determines the distribution of terrestrial life. only plants such as cacti can live in places with low rainfall such as deserts. plants in tropical rain forests need a lot of rain

77
Q

light intensity

A

affects the rate of photosynthesis. woodland plants e.g bluebell, flower in the spring before the leaves come on the trees and block the light
plankton in the sea grow best in the upper layers due to the higher light intensity

78
Q

humidity

A

water vapour content of air
effect on transpiration rate of plants
high humidity in the air reduces transpiration
woodlice only live in humid conditions under rooting leaves

79
Q

day length

A

this affects flowering and germination in plants, hibernation and reproduction in animals

80
Q

5 abiotic factors that affect aquatic environments

A 
light 
currents 
wave action
salt content 
oxygen concentration
81
Q

abiotic factors that affect aquatic environments

light

A

water stops light penetrating
plants confined to upper layers
rock seashore - Fucus can photosynthesis underwater because it has fucoxanthin

82
Q

fucoxanthin

A

a pigment that traps light that filters through the water

83
Q

other thing that fucus also has

A

air bladders that keep the plant upright in the water close to the light

84
Q

abiotic factors that affect aquatic environments

currents

A

moving water will carry away any organisms not attached

fucus has a holdfast to attach it to rocks

85
Q

abiotic factors that affect aquatic environments

wave action

A

this can cause physical damage to organisms, seaweeds living on a rocky seashore have flexible stalk that can withstand wave action

86
Q

abiotic factors that affect aquatic environments

salt content

A

this causes problems relating to the movement of water in and out of organisms. in rock pools, some seaweeds and marine snails only survive due to the effect of rainwater

87
Q

abiotic factors that affect aquatic environments

oxygen concentration

A

water has a lower concentration of oxygen than air. animals and plants living in water must have a large surface area for gaseous exchange

88
Q

what are biotic factors

A

the influence of living organisms on each other

89
Q

3 biotic factors

A

competition
predation
symbiosis

90
Q

competition

A

the struggle between two or more organisms for a resource that is in short supply

91
Q

what do organisms compete for?

A

food, space, water, light, minerals, shelter and mates

92
Q

what is competition significant in?

A

controlling population size

93
Q

2 main types of competition

A

contest competition

scramble competition

94
Q

contest competition

A

involves active physical contest, one wins it all, e.g birds compete for territory

95
Q

scramble competition

A

struggle for limited resource and resource is shared by all e.g rabbits in a field sharing available plants

96
Q

3 animals in grassland

A

spiders
snails
earthworms

97
Q

adaption of spiders

A

carnivores with strong mouthparts to crush their prey

98
Q

adaption of snails

A

herbivores with a shell for protection against predators and drying out

99
Q

adaption of earthworms

A

live in damp soil, feeding on dead organic matter

100
Q

3 plants in grassland

A

dandelion
daisy
clover

101
Q

adaption of dandelion

A

leaves spread out close to ground, blocking the light and prevent grass from growing. seeds are dispersed by wind

102
Q

adaption of daisy

A

leaves spread out close to ground. new plants form from stem of parent and prevent grass from growing

103
Q

adaption of clover

A

can grow in nitrogen-poor soil

104
Q

predator

A

an organism that kills and eats another living organism

105
Q

prey

A

an organism that is killed and eaten

106
Q

example of predation

A

foxes prey on rabbits

107
Q

where is predation important

A

in population control

108
Q

what is interrelated in predation

A

numbers of predators and prey

109
Q

increase in prey

A

increase in predators

110
Q

increase in predators

A

decrease in prey

111
Q

3 predators

A

foxes
spiders
hawks

112
Q

adaption of foxes

A

sharp pointed teeth and very good eyesight, run very fast

113
Q

adaption of spiders

A

strong mouthparts and release venom, use webs

114
Q

adaption of hawks

A

sharp talons and beaks and very good eyesight

115
Q

3 prey

A

greenfly
mice
snails

116
Q

adaption of greenfly

A

green bodies for camouflage

117
Q

adaption of mice

A

have large eyes and sensitive ears - furs blends into surroundings and they run and hide from predators

118
Q

adaption of snails

A

shells for protection

119
Q

symbiosis

A

where two organisms of different species live together and at least one benefits

120
Q

organisms involved in symbiosis

A

symbionts

121
Q

3 types of symbiosis

A

mutualism
parasitism
commensalism

122
Q

mutualism

A

two organisms of different species live together and both benefit

123
Q

2 examples of mutualism

A

bacteria in large intestine of humans produce vitamin K

nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules in clover plants

124
Q

parasitism

A

two organisms of different species live together; one called the parasite loves in or on the other (host), feeds on it and causes harm

125
Q

4 examples of parasitism

A

fleas on skin of cats and dogs
greenfly (aphids) on rose bushes
disease - causing bacteria in humans e.g tetanus
liver fluke, flatworm that lives on cattle and sheep

126
Q

where are parasites important

A

in controlling wild populations

127
Q

commensalism

A

two organisms of different species live together where one benefits and the other neither benefits nor is it harmed

128
Q

example of commensalism

A

birds nesting on a tree

129
Q

population dynamics

A

the factors that affect the size of a population

130
Q

examples of population dynamics

A

food availability, predators, birth, death, disease/parasite, migration in or out of an area , human activity, climate

131
Q

3 ways in which humans impact on ecosystems

A

pollution
conservation
waste management

132
Q

pollution

A

any harmful addition to the environment

133
Q

substances that cause pollution

A

pollutants

134
Q

3 examples of pollutants

A

industrial waste enters rivers and kills fish and plants

untreated sewage released into lakes and rivers can contaminate drinking water supplies and cause disease

135
Q

one air pollutant

A

CO2

136
Q

CO2 contributes to

A

greenhouse effect

137
Q

CO2 levels rising due to

A

increased combustion of fossil fuels

increased deforestation

138
Q

2 effects of global worming

A

rising sea levels

rising temperatures

139
Q

control of CO2

power stations

A

change from burning fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar energy or hydroelectricity

140
Q

control of CO2

transport

A

change from private transport to public transport

141
Q

control of CO2

electricity

A

reduce consumption of electricity in commercial places and in homes

142
Q

control of CO2

plants

A

plant more trees to absorb carbon dioxide

143
Q

4 pollutants from fossil fuels and their effects

A

CO2
SO2
smoke particles
CO

144
Q

CO2

A

increasing levels causing global warming

145
Q

SO2

A

causes acid rain

146
Q

effects of acid rain

A

kills plants and animals, human breathing problems , reduced soil fertility, damage to buildings

147
Q

smoke particles

A

may irritate human lungs and cause cancer

block sunlight and reduce photosynthesis

148
Q

CO

A

combines with haemoglobin and reduced amount O2 carried in blood, may cause headaches

149
Q

conservation

A

the management of the environment

150
Q

benefits of conservation

A 
maintains biodiversity 
prevents extinction
maintains source of valuable chemicals (medicine)
promotes recreation and tourism 
prevents pollution of air and water
151
Q

one conservation practice

A

forestry

152
Q

forestry

A

cutting down trees is regulated
new tees planted
deciduous and coniferous trees planted for variety

153
Q

what does a variety or trees do?

A

encourages different birds and insects to survive

154
Q

destruction of forest

A

brought to public awareness by the use of visitor centres and educational programmes

155
Q

why are forests important

dependence

A

many organisms depend on the trees for food and shelter

156
Q

why are forests important

erosion

A

trees prevent soil erosion, prevents topsoil from being washed away in rain water, this topsoil ends up in river beds as silt

157
Q

why are forests important

greenhouse gases

A

trees reduce the greenhouse effect by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air

158
Q

why are forests important

floods

A

absorb rainwater and prevent flooding

159
Q

why is waste management necessary

A

to prevent pollution as much as possible

160
Q

rising population has led to

A

huge increase in the amount of waste

161
Q

3 ways to dispose of waste

A

stored in landfill sites
recycled
destroyed in incinerators

162
Q

2 problems associated with waste disposal

A

shortage of landfill sites

landfill sites are unsightly, smelly and pollute local H2O

163
Q

waste products in forestry

A

small branches, roots, tree stumps and sawdust

164
Q

2 methods of waste disposal in forestry

A

spread on floor and allowed to rot down naturally

large branches reduced to sawdust and used to make MDF

165
Q

3 roles of microorganisms in waste management

A

anaerobic digestion (digestors)
composting
treatment of sewage

166
Q

3 products of anaerobic digestion

A

methane gas (fuel)
solid (sludge) for compost
liquid rich in nutrients (fertiliser)

167
Q

composting

A

the breakdown of plant waste under aerobic conditions by bacteria and fungi.

168
Q

what is sewage made up of?

A

waste domestic water treated in a sewage plant

169
Q

what is increasing human population due to?

A

increase in birth rate and decrease in death rate

170
Q

4 factors affecting growth in human population

A

disease
famine
war
contraception

Biology (Mona) (38 decks)

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