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Biology > Topic 4: Ecology > Flashcards

Topic 4: 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

species

A

a group of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring

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3
Q

Population

A

A group of the same species living in the same area at the same time

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4
Q

communities

A

a group of populations living together and intereacting with each other within a given area

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5
Q

Habitat

A

The environment in which a species normally lives, or the location of a living organism

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6
Q

Ecosystems

A

a community and its abiotic environment

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7
Q

Member of a species

A

o Have similar physical characteristics
o Can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
o Share common phylogeny (family tree)
o Has different gene pools compared to other organisms

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8
Q

Autotrophs

A

-Synthesizes their own organic molecules from inorganic molecules (usually through the process of photosynthesis)
-Commonly referred to as producers since they synthesize their own organic molecules
Example: Plants, algae, some bacteria

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9
Q

Heterotrophs

A

-Obtains organic molecules from other organisms (via different feeding mechanisms and food sources)
-Commonly referred to as consumers since they only consumer organic materials
Examples: Animals, fungi, some bacteria

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10
Q

Consumers

A

heterotrophs that feed on living environment by ingestion

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11
Q

herbivores

A

consumers that feed principally on plant matter

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12
Q

carnivores

A

consumers that feed principally on animal matter

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13
Q

Omnivores

A

consumers that have a principles diet composed of both plant and animal matter

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14
Q

Scavengers

A

consumers that principally feed on dead and decaying carcases rather than hunting live prey

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15
Q

Saprotrophs

A

Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms by external digestion
 They live on (or in) non-living organic matter, secrete digestive enzymes into it and absorbing the products
 Unlike other types of heterotrophs, saprotrophs do not ingest food but use enzymatic secretion to facilitate external digestion

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16
Q

Detritivores

A

: Heterotrophs that obtain nutrients from detritus by internal digestion
 Detritus is dead, particulate organic matter – such as decaying organic material and fecal matter
 Humus is the term given specifically to the decaying leaf litter intermixed within the topsoil
 Detritivores include dung beetles, earthworms, woodlice, snails and crabs

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17
Q

Mixotrophs

A

Certain unicellular organisms may on occasion use both modes of nutrition, depending on resource availability .
example: Euglena Gracilis possess chlorophyll for photosynthesis but also feed on detritus.

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18
Q

Energy availability

A

light from the sun provides the initial energy sources for almost all communities

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19
Q

Nutrient Availability

A

Saprotrophs, decomposers ensure the constant recycling of inorganic nutrients

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20
Q

recycling of waste

A

certain bacteria can detoxify harmful waste by-products

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21
Q

Nutrient Cycling

A
  1. Autotrophs produce organic molecules as they transform inorganic molecules into organic molecules
  2. Consumers will then obtain the organic molecules as they will eat the produces and obtain the organic molecules
  3. When those consumers die, their cells are broken down by the digestive enzymes of decomposers and the nutrients are returned to the soil
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22
Q

Light energy

A

light energy is absorbed by autotrophs and is converted into chemical energy via photosynthesis

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23
Q

Energy loss

A

When energy transformations take place in living organisms the process is never 100% efficient. typically a 10% deficit

24
Q

Reasons for energy loss

A

o Energy is lost as heat
o Not all the parts of an organism are swallowed
o Not all of the parts of an organism can be digested and used
o Some organisms die before being eaten by an organism in the next trophic level

25
Q

Food Chains

A

shows the flow of energy through the trophic levels of a feeding relationship.
Arrows represent the transfer of energy and matter as one organisms is eaten by another.

26
Q

Trophic levels

A

Feeding position of an organism in a food chain

27
Q

Biomass

A

The total mass of a group of organism, consisting of the carbon compounds contained in the cells and tissues.

28
Q

Carbon Cycle

A

A biogeochemical cycle whereby carbon exchanged between different spheres of the Earth

29
Q

Hydrosphere

A

Water

30
Q

Biosphere

A

Living things

31
Q

Lithosphere

A

Ground

32
Q

Atmosphere

A

Air

33
Q

Methane

A

Methanogens =Archaean microorganism that produce methane as a metabolic product in anaerobic conditions.

34
Q

Peat

A

a type of waterlogged soil that contains large amounts of partially decomposed organic matter

35
Q

When does peat form

A

when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and anaerobic conditions in waterlogged solids

36
Q

How is peat formed

A
  1. Dead organisms are covered in water
  2. The weight of the water forces the air out, creating an anaerobic environment
  3. Microorganisms that would normally decompose the dead things die off
  4. Energy-rich compounds are compressed and preserved
37
Q

Fossil Fuels

A

The formation of fossil fuels happens over millions of years, making them a non-renewable source of energy. Burning releases carbon dioxide and other containments into the air.

38
Q

Combustion

A

Carbon Dioxide, is produced by the combustion of biomass and fossilized organic matter. when organic compounds rich in hydrocarbons are heated in the presence of oxygen.

39
Q

Biofuel

A

a fuel derived directly from living matter

40
Q

advantages of biofuels

A
  • Habitats don’t have to be disrupted to be mined in
  • The carbon dioxide released are absorbed faster than fossil fuels.
41
Q

Limestones

A

inorganic, the majority of it is made of calcuim carbonate (CaCo3)

42
Q

Production of Limestones

A
  1. Marine organisms absorb carbon dioxide from their environment
  2. Carbon dioxide is transformed into calcium carbonate, which is used to make their shells
  3. The animals die and their shells accumulate on the ocean floor
  4. Non-porus sedimentary rock layers form on top of the shells
  5. Heat and pressure turn the shells into limestone
43
Q

Bio sequestration

A

the process of removing carbon from the environment and locking it up in a substance for an extended period of time.

44
Q

Role of the atmosphere

A

To retain hear at night and prevent fluctuation in temperatures.

45
Q

Greenhouse Gases

A

-absorb and emit long-wave (infrared) radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface. Therefore trapping and holding heat within the atmosphere.

46
Q

Impact of greenhouse gases

A
  1. The ability to absorb long wave radiation. Gases that have a greater capacity to absorb long-wave radiation will have a greater warming impact (per molecule)
  2. Concentration within the atmosphere. The greater the concentration of the gas the greater it’s warming impact will be. The concentration of a gas will be determined by both its rate of release and persistence within the atmosphere
    m
47
Q

Greenhouse Effect

A

a planets ability to use its atmosphere to retain heat and keep warm even without sunlight.

48
Q

Steps of the Greenhouse Effects

A
  1. Solar energy (short waves) enters the atmosphere
  2. Solar energy is absorbed by objects and is transformed into heat
  3. Objects radiate heat back towards the atmosphere
  4. Heat (long waves) aren’t able to escape the atmosphere
  5. Heat is trapped inside the atmosphere
49
Q

Deforestation

A

The removal of trees means that less carbon dioxide is removed form the atmosphere via photosynthesis

50
Q

Increased farming and agriculture

A

this involves land clearing for cattle grazing, also ruminant cattle produce methane.

51
Q

Combustion of CO2

A

o When fossil fuels (e.g. coal, oil, gas) are combusted to release energy, carbon dioxide gas is released as a by-product
o The increased reliance on fossil fuels following the industrial revolution has resulted in ~38% increase in CO2 levels
o There are now efforts to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by exploiting alternative energy sources (e.g. solar power)

52
Q

Results of increase in greenhouse gases

A

o More frequent extreme weather conditions
o Some areas to become more drought affected, while others will be more prone to heavy rainfall
o Changes to circulating ocean currents

53
Q

Weather

A

current conditions in a small area: can change rapidly

54
Q

Climate

A

Patterns of temperature and precipitations over large periods of time

55
Q

Ocean Acidification

A

o Carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid
o H+ ions will lower ocean pH
o A decrease in ocean pH is predicted to threaten the survival of marine organisms that require calcium carbonate
o Shells and coral exoskeletons are also likely to begin to dissolve when ocean conditions are more acidic
o Experiments have shown that increasing water acidity correlates with the significant thinning of shells over several weeks
o This could also lead to the disappearance of coral reefs

Biology (6 decks)

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