Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biology > Topic 7 Ecology > Flashcards

Topic 7 Ecology Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Define Habitat?

A

The place where all organisms live

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define Community ?

A

The population of different species living in a habitat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define Abiotic Factors ?

A

Non-living factors of the environment e.g temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define Biotic ?

A

Living Factors of the environment e.g Food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define Ecosystem?

A

The interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of an Ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What type of resources do plants need to reproduce?

A

Plants need light space and water and minerals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is Interdependence?

A

Where in a community each species depends on other species for things such as food, shelter,pollination and seed dispersal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is meant by a stable community?

A

Where all species and environmental factors are in balance so that the population sizes are roughly constants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Give an example of a stable community

A

Tropical Rainforest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Give 4 examples of Abiotic Factors that could affect a plant species

A

Light Intensity
Temperature
Carbon Dioxide Level
Soil Ph and mineral content

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Give an example where a decrease in an abiotic factor could affect the population in a community (2)

A

For example a decrease in light intensity could decrease the level of photosynthesis in a plant species (1) This could affect plant growth and cause a decrease in population size (1)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Name 4 Biotic Factors

A

New predators
Competition
New pathogens
Availability of Food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Give an example where a biotic factor may decrease the population

A

For example , a new predator may cause a decrease in prey population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is an Adaptation?

A

A characteristic that allows an organism to survive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are 3 possible adaptations can be ?

A

Structural
Behavioural
Functional

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a structural adaptation example ?

A

Structural adaptation is the features of an organisms body structure e.g colour or shape
For example Arctic Foxes have white fur so they’re camouflaged against the snow to avoid predators

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Explain Behaviour Adaptations ?

A

These are ways organisms behave
for example many species migrate to warmer countries in winter to avoid problems of living in cold winters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Explain Functional Adaptations

A

These are things that go inside the organisms body
for example, desert animals conserve water by producing very little sweat and small amount of concentrated urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What type of adaptation is being described when penguins huddle together?

A

Behavioural Adaptation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Explain one structural adaptions penguins have to its environment

A

A penguin has flippers to swim for food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Explain the term “producers”

A

Producers make their own food using the sun for example algae, or green plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

As the population of prey INCREASES the population of the predators

A

INCREASES

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

As the population of predators INCREASES the population of prey ..

A

DECREASES

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

In the food chain
grass > grasshopper > rat > snake

  1. name the producer of the food chain
  2. how many consumers are there in the chain
  3. Name the primary consumer
  4. All the rats in the area are killed , explain two effects that this could have on the food chain
A
  1. grass
  2. three
  3. grasshopper
  4. population of grasshoppers would increase , population of snakes would decrease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are two ways to study the distribution of an organism?

A

• measure how common an organism is in two sample areas (using quadrats) and compare them

• study how the distribution changes across an area by placing quadrats along a transect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the method of studying the distribution of organisms using quadrats ?

A
  1. Place a 1m squared quadrat on the ground at a random point within the sample area .
  2. Count all organisms within quadrat
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 as many times as u can
  4. Work out the mean number of organisms per quadrat within the first sample area
  5. repeat steps 1-4 in second sample area
  6. Finally compare the two means
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What type of change could affect the distribution of organisms ?

A

Environmental Change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Give 3 examples of Environmental Change

A

A change in the availability of water
A change in the temperature
A change in the composition of atmospheric gases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Give an example of how the distribution could be affected by the availability of water

A

The distribution of some animal and plant species in the tropics can change between wet and dry seasons . For example each year in Africa large numbers of wildebeest migrate moving north and then back south as the rainfall patterns change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Give an example of a distribution to the change in temperature

A

The distribution of bird species in Germany is changing because of a rise in average temperature. e.g the european bee eater bird is a mediterranean species but it’s now present in germany

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is Transpiration ?

A

When water evaporates from plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

How are clouds formed

A

When the warm water vapour travels higher up it cools and condenses and forms clouds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

How does the water cycle benefit plants and animals

A

By providing them with fresh water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What causes organisms to decay ?

A

Microorganisms digest them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Which three processes in the carbon cycle releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

A

Combustion
Respiration
Decomposition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What is an example of a structural adaptation of a camel

A

They have large feet to stop them falling into sand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Give three resources animals compete for

A

Water
Food
Territory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Give three resources plants compete for

A

Water
Space
Light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is a biotic factor that might affect a community

A

The spread of a new disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What is an extremophile species

A

An organism that can tolerate very hot or cold places

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Name the order of the food chain

A

Producers
Primary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Tertiary Consumers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

As energy is passed through the food chain energy is..

A

LOST

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Define abundance

A

How many organisms there are

44
Q

Define Distribution

A

Where the organisms are

45
Q

Whta are the two sampling methods

A

Quadrats
Transects

46
Q

Explain what sampling means and why it is often used (2)

A

Sampling means only counting a subset of the organism in a habitat (1) This is done because it would be impossible or very time consuming , to count all the organisms

47
Q

Explain the process of the water cycle (4)

A

• Energy from the sun comes down and causes water to evaporate and turns it into water vapour which goes into the air
• Water vapour accumulates in the sky and condenses into clouds
• Liquid water falls back down in form of precipitation
• Water seeps in soil

48
Q

Explain the process of the carbon cycle (5)

A

• Green plants and algae take in CO2 from atmosphere and convert it into glucose
• Carbon in plants can be eaten by animals and they respire
• plants and animals die, the organism are decayed by microorganisms that live in the soil , break into smaller pieces until has been released as CO2 during microbial respiration
• If organisms are decayed anaerobically there are slowly converted into fossils fuels
• Fossil fuels are burned by humans in factories and co2 is released

49
Q

Why is recycling nutrients important for organisms?

A

Because it provides nutrients that loving organisms use to grow and reproduce

50
Q

Define decay (1)

A

Break down of organic matter by the action of decomposition

51
Q

What is the main gas in biogas

A

METHANE

52
Q

What would lowering the temperature do to decay

A

decrease the rate

53
Q

Once the gas has been removed from a biogas generator a sludgy material is leftover. What is it used for and why ?

A

Used as a fertiliser as it has high levels of nutrients/minerals

54
Q

What type of decay do biogenerators carry out

A

Anaerobic decay

55
Q

Why would the rate of decomposition fall if the soil becomes waterlogged

A

The decomposition will become slower as the water fills gaps so there will be less oxygen and less aerobic respiration

56
Q

2 examples of detritus feeders

A

wood lice, worms

57
Q

What is the definition of biodiversity

A

variety of different species within an ecosystem

58
Q

What contributes most to air pollution

A

Acidic gases from burning fossil fuels
Smoke from combustion

59
Q

What contributes most to land pollution

A

Landfill and nuclear waste

60
Q

What contributes most to water pollution

A

Fertiliser from agriculture
Sewage from cities

61
Q

Explain Why is it good to maintain a high biodiversity(3)

A

• Many of our medicinal drugs comes from wild species
• Many species provide specific services e.g pollination
• Increase stability of our ecosystem

62
Q

What are some impacts of rapid growth in human population

A

• More waste is being produced
• More resources are being used

63
Q

How do you maintain biodiversity?

A

• Breeding programmes

64
Q

What is a QUOTA

A

how much co2 can be released by businesses each year

65
Q

What are some negative effects of deforestation

A

no photosynthesis
burning
reduce biodiversity

66
Q

What is the difference between global warming and climate change ?

A

Global warming refers to overall increase of the earths atmosphere

Climate change consequences of global warming and refers to effects on the climate such as shifts in weather patterns

67
Q

Explain the practical to investigate the effect of temperature on the decay of milk

A

1) Start by labelling a test tube “lipase”

2) Then use a pipette to place 5cm cubed of lipase solution in the test tube

3) We label another test tube “milk”

4) Add five drops of the indicator Cresol red

5) Now add 5cm cubed of milk and 7cm cubed of sodium carbonate solution

6) The solution should be purple

7) We place a thermometer into the test tube containing milk

8) Place both test tubes into a beaker of water at first chosen temperature (20 degrees)

9) Wait till the temperature of the solutions is the same as the water in the beaker

10) Use a pipette to transfer 1cm cubed of lipase solution to the test tube containing milk and we stir the solution

11) Start a timer at same time

12) In acaidic conditions (release of fatty acids) the indicator changes from red to yellow

13) Once it turns yellow stop timing and record results

14) repeat experiment at a range of different temperatures

68
Q

What are the variables in the decay experiment

A

Independent- Tenperature
Dependent - time takes for the milk solution to turn yellow
Control - volume of different solutions

69
Q

Why is it important that we use a clean test tube for the milk solution for each experiment

A

Any traces of lipase will trigger reaction before we are ready

70
Q

Explain the process of water cycle

A

• Energy from the sun cause the water to evaporate from the surface of the sea

• The water vapor travels into the air and cools down forming clouds

• The water in the clouds falls as precipitation (rain , snow, hail , sleet)

• Once the water hits the ground some of it evaporates back into the atmosphere as water vapor

• Some water passes through rocks and forms aquifers

• The water in the rivers and streams eventually drain back into sea

71
Q

How do living organisms play a role in the water cycle ? (3)

A

•Plants take up water in their roots. The water moves up the plant in their xylem and passes out of the leaves through the stomata as water vapour.
This is called transpiration.

• Animals releases water in their urine, faeces and when they exhale

72
Q

What process do decomposers carry out ?

A

Aerobic respiration

73
Q

What are the three conditions needed for rapid decomposition

A

• High temperature
• Amount of water
• Amount of Oxygen

74
Q

Explain how temperature affects the rate of decomposition

A

Decomposition takes place faster in warmer conditions, because the decomposes use enzymes to break down the plant material and the enzymes work faster in warner conditions

75
Q

How does the amount of water affect the rate of decomposition

A

Decomposition takes place faster if the water is moist. Many of the chemical reactions in decay require water

76
Q

Explain how the amount of oxygen affects the rate of decomposition

A

decomposes carry out aerobic respiration which requires a good supply of oxygen

77
Q

How does mixing compost help

A

• Allows more oxygen to pass through the centre and it breaks up clumps, increasing the surface area for decomposers to act on

78
Q

What happens to decomposition in the absence of oxygen

A

In the absence of oxygen the decomposing microorganisms carry out anaerobic decay. This produces biogas (includes methane)

79
Q

What does burning fossil fuels produce

A

sulphur dioxide

80
Q

How does large biodiversity help ecosystems

A

makes them more stable

81
Q

Define biodiversity

A

variety of all the differences species of organisms on earth

82
Q

What are the three types of pollution waste management causes

A

Water pollution
Air pollution
Land pollution

83
Q

Explain how waste management effects water pollution

A

untreated sewage is accidentally released into rivers or streams. Rivers and streams can also be polluted with fertilisers from farms.
They can cause oxygen levels to fall. Killing aquatic organisms

84
Q

Explain how waste management affects air pollution

A

burning coal in power stations can release acidic gases and these can cause acid rain. Burning can release smoke. Kill plants and animals.

85
Q

Explain how waste management affects land pollution

A

land fills destroy habitats for plants and animals. Toxic chemicals can also leach out of landfills and pollute the soil. Can kill living organisms

86
Q

Define the tropic levels

A

1 - produces
2 - primary consumer
3- secondary consumer
4- tertiary consumer

87
Q

define apex predators

A

carnivores with no predators

88
Q

How do decomposers secrete enzymes back to the environment

A

The enzymes digest the dead material and the same food molecules then diffuse back into the decomposer

89
Q

What tropic level is the longest and at the bottom of a pyramid of biomass

A

level 1

90
Q

What are the six biological threats of food security

A

• birth rate is increasing
• our tastes are changing
• new pests and pathogens
• environment change
• resources becoming expensive
• conflicts

91
Q

How is biomass being used in modern farming methods

A

Animals are farmed outside
their biomass is being used in respiration to provide energy for movement and keeping their body temperature constant less biomass/energy to produces food

92
Q

Explain an example of factory farming

A

A temperature controlled shed
space is limited which restricts movement
kept in warm conditions and they have a a higher protein diet
efficiency of food production is increased

93
Q

What’s an advantage of Factory farming (2)

A

• more efficient as less biomass is wasted by the animals in respiration

• they control what animals eat, their food contains all nutrients and they waste less food

94
Q

What’s a disadvantage of factory farming (2)

A

• Infectious diseases, spread more easily, treated with antibiotics, may increase risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria

• ethical reasons

95
Q

What happens when fish stocks fall

A

Therefore not enough mature fish left to breed . commercial fishing will not be possible

96
Q

What are the two main strategies to reverse low fish stocks

A

• Fishing industry has strict quotas on the number of fish that can be caught for each species (remaining can then breed and bring population to normal level)

• Net size must be large enough that smaller fish are not caught, fish can develop into adults and reproduce

97
Q

How has Rice been genetically modified

A

Golden rice contains molecules which help production of vitamin a

98
Q

Advantage of mycoprotein

A

• suitable for vegetarians
• grow large amounts in a small amount of space very efficient protein source

99
Q

What are the three main parts of the brain and their roles

A

• Cerebral Cortex - consciousness,memory,language

• Medulla - heart rate, breathing rate

• Cerebellum- balance and controls movement

100
Q

What are the three main ways scientists investigate the brain

A

• Studying patients with brain damage
• Electrically stimulating different parts of the brain
• MR1 Scanning

101
Q

What is the process of the eye detecting light

A

• Light rays pass through the cornea which starts the focussing of light rays

• Light rays pass through pupil
• Light rays pass through lens which focuses rays to back of eye
• Retina contains receptors for light

• Receptor cells sends electrical impulses down the optic nerve and to the brain

102
Q

Function of the iris

A

Controls size of pupil

103
Q

Function of sclera

A

Protects eye

104
Q

Function of ciliary muscles

A

focusing

105
Q

What happens to our eye in a dark room

A

A drop in light intensity is detects by our receptor cells
they send electrical impulses to the brain
brain sends electrical impulses to specific muscles in eye
muscles contract to become larger

Biology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions