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Biology > Topic 7 - Ecology > Flashcards

Topic 7 - Ecology Flashcards

(76 cards)

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1
Q

What is an ecosystem ?

A

The interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of their environment.

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2
Q

What is a community ?

A

All of the living organisms within a habitat

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3
Q

List 3 things which animals compete for

A

1) Food
2) Mates
3) Territory

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4
Q

List 4 things which plants compete for

A

1) Light
2) Space
3) Minerals (ions)
4) Water

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5
Q

What is interdependence ?

A

Where species depend on other species

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6
Q

What is a stable community ?

A

Where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant.

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7
Q

What are abiotic factors ?

A

Non-living factors

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8
Q

What are biotic factors ?

A

Living factors

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9
Q

What are 6 abiotic factors ?

A

-Moisture level
-Temperature
-Levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide
-pH levels
-Light intensity
-Weather (wind)

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10
Q

What are 4 biotic factors ?

A

-Food availability
-New predators
-Competition
-Pathogens

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11
Q

What are adaptations ?

A

Any feature that allows an organism to survive in it’s habitat

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12
Q

Name the three types of adaptation

A

-Structural
-Functional
-Behavioural

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13
Q

Name a type of structural adaptation

A

Thorns on a rose

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14
Q

Name a type of functional adaptation

A

Snakes having venomous bites

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15
Q

Name a type of behavioural adaptation

A

Hibernating during winter

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16
Q

What are extremeophiles ?

A

Organisms that are adapated to live in extreme conditions

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17
Q

What is biomass ?

A

The total mass of biological material in a given area or population

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18
Q

Where does all biomass come from ?

A

Producers

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19
Q

Lettuce-> slug–>blackbird–> sparrow hawk
Identify the trophic levels in this food chain.

A

Lettuce - Producer
Slug - Primary consumer
Blackbird - Secondary consumer
Sparrow hawk - Tertiary consumer

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20
Q

Why does the population of predators and prey fluctuate ?

A

-When the populations of prey decreases there is less food available for the predators,
-so fewer were able to survive
-so the population decreases
-Fewer predators means less predation so more prey were able to survive
-so the population increases
-More prey means more food for predators so their population increases
-More predators means more predation so fewer prey survive

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21
Q

Describe the trophic levels

A

Level 1: producers.
Level 2: primary consumers.
Level 3: secondary consumers.
Level 4: tertiary consumers.

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22
Q

Describe the role of decomposers

A

Break down plant and animal matter through enzymes released

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23
Q

How do you calculate the efficiency of energy transfer ?

A

efficiency = (biomass of trophic level/biomass of trophic level below) x 100

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24
Q

Name 3 reasons why not all biomass is transferred

A

-Some lost as faeces and urine
-Some lost through respiration as carbon dioxide
-Not all biomass is consumed by the next trophic level (bones, feathers etc).

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25
Why is the number of organisms lower at the higher trophic levels ?
There is less biomass / energy being transferred as you move thorught trophic levels, so less organisms can be supported.
26
What is the purpose of random sampling ?
To estimate abundance (size of a population)
27
How do you achieve random sampling ?
By using randomly generated numbers to make coordinates in a grid. Place a quadrat at each of the randomly generated coordinates.
28
Why should sampling be random ?
To avoid bias
29
Why might you use a transect instead of random sampling ?
To measure distribution over an area or with a specific abiotic factors.
30
How do you carry out a transect ?
Lay out a tape measure across the area to be studied. Place a quadrat at regular intervals along the line and record the species present.
31
How do you find the mean amount of individuals per quadrat ?
Sum of the individuals in all quadrats / Number of quadrats
32
What is the state change when a liquid turns to a gas ?
Evaporation
33
What process removes water from the atmosphere ?
Photosynthesis
34
What process releases water into the atmosphere ?
Respiration
35
Where is water stored in organisms ?
In their bodies
36
Describe the water cycle
1) Water can be stored within the bodies of organisms 2) Some water can be transferred to the atmosphere through respiration and evaporation 3) Some water can be removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis 4) Water can drain from the land into the rivers and seas
37
Describe the carbon cycle
1) Carbon can be stored within the bodies of plants and animals. 2) Some carbon is transfered to the atmosphere by respiration as carbon dioxide 3) Carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis 4) Some carbon is transferred to the atmosphere by the death and decay of organisms 5) Some carbon is trapped in the bodies of organisms that become fossil fuels
38
How do decomposers help cycle nutrients through an ecosystem ?
They can break down dead material to release the nutrients (ions) to the soil which can then be uptaken by other organisms
39
Describe how the temperature, water and oxygen levels impact the rate of decay
Temperature: increased temperature causes rate of decomposition to increase. Decomposition stops if temperature becomes too high Water: decomposition only occurs with water available Oxygen: increased oxygen causes rate of decomposition to increase
40
Describe why too high temperatures stop decomposition
Decomposition stops at high temperatures as enzymes are denatured
41
Describe why increased oxygen increases the rate of decomposition
increased oxygen increases rate of respiration and therefore rate of decomposition
42
Describe the purpose of compost
Compost is used as a natural fertiliser for growing crops
43
What does anaerobic decay produce ?
Methane
44
What is the purpose of biogas ?
To decompose waste material and produce methane gas as a fue
45
What is biodiversity ?
The variety of different species of organisms on the earth or in an ecosystem
46
Why is higher biodiversity beneficial ?
Great biodiversity means the ecosystem is less dependent on one species, so if the population falls it will be less likely to affect the ecosystem.
47
Why is biodiversity important for humans ?
Humans rely on other organisms for food, medicines and building materials.
48
What 3 activities reduce biodiversity ?
1) Deforestation 2) Global warming/ Pollution 3) Over hunting/ fishing
49
What has caused an increase pressure on land and resources ?
An increase in the global population
50
Describe water pollution
Sewage or toxic chemicals in rivers or water sources
51
Describe air pollution
Smoke, toxic or acidic gasses being released into the atmosphere
52
Describe land pollution
Dumping of rubbish in landfill
53
What are the consequences of increased pollution ?
Animals and plants are killed which reduces biodiversity
54
How do humans reduce the land available for other organisms ?
Building, Farming, Waste disposal and quarrying
55
Describe the link between farming and the 3 types of pollution
Water pollution- fertilisers get into water bodies. Air pollution-machinery produces acidic gases. Land pollution- soil erosion, pesticides
56
What is peat ?
Partially decomposed organic matter
57
Why is peat important in the carbon cycle ?
Peat stores a lot of carbon
58
What happens when peat is burned ?
Carbon is released into the atmosphere which links to clilmate change/ global warming
59
Name 3 human activities which add to the amount of greenhouse gases
1) Burning of fossil fuels 2) Deforestation 3) Agriculture
60
What is global warming ?
The change in global temperatures and climates
61
Describe 2 biological impacts of climate change
1) Reduction in biodiversity 2) Increase in the levels of disease
62
What is deforestation ?
The large scale removal of naturally grown forests
63
How does deforestation contribute to global warming ?
1) Burning of trees can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere 2) Trees can no longer photosynthesise and remove carbon from the atmosphere
64
What is meant by maintaining biodiversity
Keeping the distribution and populations of species constant
65
What are 5 actions to maintain biodiversity levels ?
1.Breeding programmes for endangered species 2.Protection and regeneration of rare habitats 3.Reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows 4.Reduction in deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions 5.Recycling resources
66
What is food security ?
Having enough food to feed a population.
67
Name 6 factors which threaten food security
1. increasing birth rate 2. changing diets in HIC 3. New pests and pathogens 4. environmental changes (droughts) 5. cost of agricultural inputs 6. conflicts/war
68
What is sustainability ?
Meeting the needs of people today without impacting the needs of people in the future
69
Describe 3 issues with the fishing industry
-Fish stocks have declined dramatically. -Breeding is threatened. -There is a risk of extinction
70
Explain how larger holes in fish nets help maintain population sizes
Large holes in nets enables smaller fish to escape, so they can continue to grow to matuirty and therefore breeding age.
71
Describe some conflicts between increasing food security and animal welfare
-intensive farming is viewed as cruel --Use of pesticides and fertilisers is damaging the environment.
72
List 2 biochemical solutions to food insecurity
1. Genetic modification 2. Use of microorganisms
73
What is mycoprotein ?
A protein rich food suitable for vegetarians.
74
Describe how the fungus Fusarium is used to produce mycoprotein.
The fungus is grown on glucose syrup, in aerobic conditions, and the biomass is harvested and purified.
75
Explain how genetic modification can help increase food security
GM crops could provide more food or food with an improved nutritional value
76
What is golden rice ?
A variety of rice that was genetically modified to contain more vitamin A.

Biology (7 decks)

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