The Biosphere

Question 1

define ecology

Answer 1

the study of the interactions of organisms and the environment

Question 2

an organisms habitat includes the

Answer 2

biotic and abiotic factors present in its surroundings

Question 3

define landscapes

Answer 3

arrays of ecosystems usually visible from the air as distinctive patches

Question 4

the biosphere is…

Answer 4

ALL of Earth that is inhabited by life

Question 5

understanding how communities of organisms interact with the environment provides context for…

Answer 5

anthropogenic change

Question 6

ecology provides context to…

Answer 6

environmental problems

Question 7

to be successful, organisms must…

Answer 7

adapt to the abiotic factors

Question 8

major abiotic factors include…

Answer 8

1. energy source
2. temperature
3. presence of water
4. inorganic nutrients
5. aquatic
6. terrestrial

Question 9

energy sources include

Answer 9

• sun
• hydrothermal vents
• extremophiles

Question 10

climate often determines the

Answer 10

distribution of communities

Question 11

climatic variations are due to..

Answer 11

the uneven heating of Earth’s surface as it orbits the sun

Question 12

Earth’s orbit around the sun sets up patterns of

Answer 12

precipitation and prevailing winds

Question 13

what influences coastal climate?

Answer 13

ocean currents

Question 14

landforms such as ______ affect rainfall.

Answer 14

mountains

Question 15

define tropics

Answer 15

regions near the equator that consistently get the most sun

Question 16

temperate regions range from the tropics to the

Answer 16

artic circle

Question 17

the tropics are…

Answer 17

warm and wet

Question 18

hot air holds water better then

Answer 18

cold air

Question 19

cool air drops and causes

Answer 19

desertification

Question 20

desertification can be identified by

Answer 20

> 25 cm of annual rainfall

Question 21

rotation of Earth influences..

Answer 21

Trade wind directions

Question 22

trade wind directions impacts the

Answer 22

• ocean currents

- local climate

Question 23

temperature decreases as you go

Answer 23

up in altitude or latitude

Question 24

what impacts the extent of temp/ precipitation?

Answer 24

land

Question 25

define a biome

Answer 25

major types of ecological associations that occupy broad geographic regions

Question 26

what influences the composition of an aquatic biome?

Answer 26

mineral content in water

Question 27

what are 2 key factors that influence the distribution of marine organisms?

Answer 27

1. sunlight

2. substrate

Question 28

marine biomes consist of what 4 different regions?

Answer 28

1. pelagic realm
2. benthic realm
3. aphotic zone
4. photic zone

Question 29

the pelagic realm includes alll

Answer 29

open water

Question 30

the benthic realm consists of the

Answer 30

seafloor

Question 31

aphotic zone is where there is

Answer 31

insufficient light for photosynthesis

Question 32

photic zone is where

Answer 32

light penetrations is sufficient for photosynthesis and phytoplankton can occur

Question 33

what is abundant in the pelagic photic zone?

Answer 33

zooplankton

Question 34

there is no primary production in areas where the ocean temperature is…

Answer 34

warmer

Question 35

in cooler temperatures there are

Answer 35

high amounts of primary production

Question 36

cooler temp water support

Answer 36

global fisheries due to photic and aphotic areas

Question 37

define intertidal zones

Answer 37

areas where the ocean meets the land;

• shore is pounded by waves during high tide
• shore is exposed to the sun and drying winds during low tides

Question 38

define estuaries

Answer 38

productive areas where a freshwater stream or river merges with the ocean

Question 39

define wetlands

Answer 39

transition between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems