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Biology > Topic 7- Ecology > Flashcards

Topic 7- Ecology Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

He interaction between the living components and non living components

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2
Q

State 4 factors plants compete for

A

Light
Space
Water
Mineral ions from soil

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3
Q

State 3 factors animals may compete for

A

Food
Mates
Territory

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4
Q

What is introspective competition?

A

Competition within a species

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5
Q

What is interspecific competition?

A

Competition between different species

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6
Q

What is interdependence?

A

Different species relying on each other for various resources- one removed, whole species affected

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7
Q

What is a stable community?

A

All biotic and abiotic factors are balanced so population size remains constant

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8
Q

What abiotic factors may affect an ecosystem?

A 
Light intensity
Temperature
Moisture
Soil pH
CO2, O2 concentration
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9
Q

Why might light intensity affect bbiotic factors?

A

Different plant species have different optimum light intensities for growth

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10
Q

How does temperature affect an ecosystem?

A

Different plant and animal species have different optimum temperatures for growth and survival

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11
Q

How does soil pH affect an ecosystem?

A

Certain plants may may grow better in different pHs

Soil pH may affect parlance of a plant

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12
Q

How does moisture affect an ecosystem?

A

Plants cant survived waterlogged- roots cant respire

Certain plants adapted to high moisture levels

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13
Q

How does wind intensity affect an ecosystem?

A

Seeds more likely to germinate in locations with lower wind intensity- attract animals based on plants living nearby

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14
Q

How does soil mineral levels affect an ecosystem?

A

Plants require high mineral levels to survive

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15
Q

How does CO2 concentration affect an ecosystem?

A

Higher CO2 concentration- more plant growth

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16
Q

How does O2 concentration affect an ecosystem?

A

Aquatic animals can’t survive in areas with low oxygen concentration

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17
Q

What biotic factors may affect an ecosystem?

A

Food
Predators
Pathogens
Competition

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18
Q

Give 3 examples of extreme living environments

A

High temperature
High salt concentration
High pressure

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19
Q

What are organisms living in extreme environments called?

A

Extremophiles

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20
Q

Give an example of an environment where extremophile bacteria can be found

A

In deep sea vents

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21
Q

Define ecosystem

A

The interactions between abiotic and biotic factors in an area

22
Q

What do food chains show

A

Feeding relationships and flow of energy between organisms

23
Q

Define biomass

A

Total mass of a living material

24
Q

What do arrows in a food chain represent?

A

Direction of biomass transfer

25
Q

What type of organisms are primary producers?

A

Photosynthetic organisms like green plants and algae that trap sunlight energy

26
Q

What is a primary consumer?

A

Organism that feeds on producers

27
Q

What is a secondary consumer?

A

Organism that feeds on primary consumers

28
Q

What is a tertiary consumer?

A

Organism that feeds on secondary consumers

29
Q

How do materials cycle through the living and non living components of an ecosystem?

A
  • organisms take in elements from surroundings (soil or air)
  • elements converted to complex molecules which become biomass
  • elements transferred along food chain
  • elements return to the environment during excretion and decomposing of dead organisms
30
Q

Give 3 molecules which are cycled through ecosystems

A

Oxygen, carbon dioxide, water

31
Q

Describe the carbon cycle

A
  • plants fix CO2 into organic molecules during photosynthesis
  • the organic carbon-containing molecules are passed onto organisms that eat plants
  • CO2 released back into atmosphere through respiration from animals and plants
  • burning fossil fuels releases also releases CO2 into atmosphere
32
Q

Why is the carbon cycle important?

A

Carbon containing molecules such as glucose are important for living organisms to grow and provide energy for vital functions within cells

33
Q

Describe the water cycle

A
  • water from lakes and oceans evaporates
  • water condenses into clouds and returns to earth through precipitation
  • water returns to rivers and oceans through surface run off
  • water from precipitation is useful for life on land
34
Q

Why is the water cycle important?

A

Living organisms require water and the water cycle provides organisms on land with a continuous water supply

35
Q

Why are microorganisms important for the cycling of materials through an ecosystem?

A

Return carbon to environment by releasing CO2 through respiration while they decompose dead matter. This decomposition of dead matter material in soil returns mineral ions to environment for other organisms to use (plants use mineral ions for growth)

36
Q

How can different temperatures be bad for certain communities?

A

To low- growth slower as organisms use too much energy to stay warm
To high- organisms die and water becomes limited as evaporation increases

37
Q

How can atmospheric gases affect ecosystems?

A

Some organisms cant survive when a gas is present

Polluted water can cause illness to animals who drink it

38
Q

How can changes in water levels effect ecosystems?

A
  • animals may have to migrate to find water

- melting ice caps destroy habitats for some animals

39
Q

What impacts can sulphur dioxide have on the environment?

A
  • formed when fossil fuels containing impurities are burnt

- can dissolve in water to form acid rain which can erode buildings and polute water sources

40
Q

What effects can carbon monoxide have on the environment?

A
  • formed by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
  • binds irreversibly to haemoglobin which prevents it from carrying oxygen
  • too much exposure can cause unconsciousness and death
41
Q

Name 5 greenhouse gases

A 
Water vapour
Carbon dioxide 
Nitrous oxide
Methane
CFCs
42
Q

How to greenhouse gases lead to global warming?

A
  • they allow heat from the sun to enter the atmosphere

- gases act as a blanket and trap the heat in the atmosphere

43
Q

What are 3 negative consequences of global warming?

A
  • sea levels rise
  • disrupts farming and agriculture
  • increased spread of diseases
44
Q

What is biodiversity?

A

Variety of different species on earth or in an ecosystem

45
Q

How does biodiversity maintain stability of an ecosystem?

A

Reduces dependence on particular species for resources so if one species is removed, the rest can still survive

46
Q

Why have humans’ consumption of resources and waste production increased?

A

Rapidly growing population

Increase in standard of living

47
Q

State examples of water pollutants

A

Sewage
Fertiliser
Chemicals

48
Q

How does eutrophication occur?

A 
Farm fertiliser pollutes water
Excessive algae growth
Depletes oxygen in water
Other plants and animals die
Dead plants are decomposed by bacteria and the oxygen levels decrease further
49
Q

What are examples of air pollutants?

A

Smoke

Acidic gas

50
Q

What are examples of land pollution?

A

Landfill waste

Chemicals

51
Q

What is causing global warming?

A

Increase in levels of greenhouse gases- causes temperature on earth to increase

52
Q

What are 4 steps taken to maintain biodiversity?

A
  1. Breeding programmes for endangered species
  2. Reduce deforestation
  3. Reduce carbon dioxide emissions
  4. Recycling raehte than disposing in landfills

Biology (9 decks)

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