Science Unit 1: Ecology

Question 1

Claim

Answer 1

It’s one sentence that answers and restates the question without “because”

Question 2

Evidence

Answer 2

Mostly one sentence that includes facts from a reliable source (refer to source) and without “because”

Question 3

Reasoning

Answer 3

2 to 3 sentences that explains the evidence and how it connects to the claim

Question 4

CER Difference

Answer 4

Claim restates and answers the question. Evidence helps support the claim with pieces of evidence from a reliable source, and reasoning restates the claim

Question 5

Ecology

Answer 5

The study of how organisms interact with each other and with their environment
EXAMPLES: The Biological and Physical environment

Question 6

Abiotic factors

Answer 6

Is the non-living part of an organisms habitat
EXAMPLES: Sunlight, soil, rocks, oxygen, and water

Question 7

Biotic factors

Answer 7

Living or once living parts of an environment
EXAMPLES: Animals and plants

Question 8

Objective observation

Answer 8

Objective observations are true facts
EXAMPLE: This pencil is 7 inches long

Question 9

Subjective observation

Answer 9

Subjective statements are opinions
EXAMPLES: This pencil is very sharp

Question 10

Environment

Answer 10

All the influence, including biotic and abiotic factors, which affect living things
EXAMPLES: A tree, plants, sunlight, water, temperature, and animals

Question 11

Atmosphere

Answer 11

Layers of gas(es) that surround a planet
EXAMPLES: Air or gases in a greenhouse

Question 12

Organism

Answer 12

One of any living thing
EXAMPLES: One butterfly

Question 13

Species

Answer 13

Is a group of organisms that can mate with each other and reproduce
EXAMPLES: Butterflies

Question 14

Population

Answer 14

All the members of one species living in a particular area
EXAMPLES: The butterfly population

Question 15

Community

Answer 15

All the living parts in an ecosystem
EXAMPLES: Butterflies, plants, squirrels, and trees

Question 16

Ecosystem

Answer 16

The community of organisms that live in a particular area, along with their non-living parts of the environment (biotic + abiotic)
EXAMPLES: Butterflies, plants, squirrels, trees, water, air, sunlight, and temperature

Question 17

Biosphere

Answer 17

The part of the Earth where organisms live
EXAMPLES: All the organisms in the world INCLUDING abiotic factors

Question 18

Carnivore

Answer 18

An organism that only eats animals
TEETH: Canines, not well developed incisors, and sharp molars

Question 19

Omnivore

Answer 19

An organism that eats both plants and animals
TEETH: All types of teeth (Canines, molars, and incisors)

Question 20

Herbivore

Answer 20

An organism that only eats plants
TEETH: Well developed incisors and molars

Question 21

Insectivore

Answer 21

An organism that eats insects
TEETH: None

Question 22

Niche

Answer 22

The role of an organism in it’s habitat

Question 23

Incisors

Answer 23

Are used to remove a part from a whole
- Omnivores, small for carnivores, herbivores

Question 24

Canines

Answer 24

Are used to rip and tear flesh (meat)
- Meat eaters (carnivores and omnivores)

Question 25

Molars

Answer 25

Are used to grind food into smaller pieces
- Carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores

Question 26

Predator

Answer 26

Preys on other animals
- Can be carnivores and omnivores

Question 27

Prey

Answer 27

An organism that is hunted or killed by another (predators) for food
- Can be carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores

Question 28

Primary consumer

Answer 28

Eats producers
- Can be herbivores, omnivores

Question 29

Secondary consumer

Answer 29

Eats primary consumers
- Can be omnivores, carnivores, or insectivores

Question 30

Producer

Answer 30

Organisms that make their own food
- Grass, daisy, raspberry bush, green plants

Question 31

Consumer

Answer 31

Organisms that must search for food
- Rabbits, humans, crabs

Question 32

Decomposer

Answer 32

Organisms that break down the wastes or remains of organisms
- Mold, bacteria, yeast, fungi, earthworms

Question 33

Habitat

Answer 33

An environment that provides the things a specific organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce
- Forest habitat with mushrooms and wookpeckers

Question 34

Scavenger

Answer 34

Eats animals that have died or have been killed by other animals
- Vultures, coyotes, hyenas

Question 35

Carrying capacity

Answer 35

The largest amount of a population that can be supported by an area long term

Question 36

Limiting factors

Answer 36

Conditions in the environment that limit where an organism can live

Question 37

CC + LF Relationship

Answer 37

The relationship between the two is that the carrying capacity depends on the limiting factors. The less there is of limiting factors, the carrying capacity will decrease into something else

Question 38

Food chains

Answer 38

A representation of one potential feeding relationship in an ecosystem