small scale ecosystems

Question 1

biosphere definition

Answer 1

name given to living components of the global system. these include plants, animals and microbes
(all living things depend on themselves but also on the non-living parts of the environment, eg soil, rocks, soil, water and sunshine.)

Question 2

ecosystem definition

Answer 2

an environment where the living world interacts with the non-living world
(it is impossible to study animals without looking at their environment)

Question 3

4 realms of earth

Answer 3

1. atmosphere = the air
2. lithosphere = the land
3. hydrosphere = the water
4. biosphere = all living organisms on earth

Question 4

4 ecosystem components

Answer 4

1. non-living substances (abiotic)
2. autotrophs (biotic)
3. heterotrophs (biotic)
4. decomposers (biotic)

Question 5

biotic components

Answer 5

are the living organisms, the animals, micro-organisms, trees and other plants found in the ecosystem

Question 6

abiotic components

Answer 6

components that are inorganic or physical and chemical elements of the ecosystem. these include soil, climate, relief, geology and drainage

Question 7

the interactions

Answer 7

biotic and abiotic parts produce a stable system that is equilibrium. this means that the plants and animals interact with one another and with the non-living elements, but the ecosystem remains balanced with little change to one of the elements

Question 8

how many types of biotic material is there

Answer 8

2

Question 9

1. autotrophs (self-feeding)

Answer 9

the main source of energy from all ecosystems is the sun. green plants absorb radiation during photosynthesis
- only green plants can photosynthesise and use the sun in this way so they are called producers or primary producers.
organisms which produce their own food materials in this way are collectively known as autotrophs

Question 10

what way is energy used for plants

Answer 10

for growth
for plant processes (transporting chemicals root uptake of water and nutrients)e