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Biology > Topic K - Ecology and the Enviroment > Flashcards

Topic K - Ecology and the Enviroment Flashcards

1
Q

definition of population

A

number of members of a single species

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2
Q

definition of community

A

different species of organisms living n the same area

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3
Q

definition of habitat

A

where living organisms live

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4
Q

definition of ecosystem

A

population of different species of organism and the habitat they live in

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5
Q

definition of producers

A

organisms that produce their own organic nutrients such as plants through photosynthesis

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6
Q

definition of primary consumers

A

herbivores= feed on plants ( producers )

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7
Q

definition of secondary consumers

A

predators that feed on primary consumers

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8
Q

definition of tertiary consumers

A

predators that feed on secondary consumers

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9
Q

definition of decomposers

A

bacteria and fungi that breaks down dead animals body, urea + undigested waste for energy ( using enzymes to break down compounds )

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10
Q

definition of food chains

A

shows the feeding relationship between living things ( what eats what in a habitat)

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11
Q

definition of food web

A

shows all the food chains in an ecosystem, showing the floe of energy in a habitat

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12
Q

what do food webs show

A

interdependence = change in population of one organism will affect the population of another organism

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13
Q

definition of pyramid of numbers

A

shows the population of each organism at each trophic level in a food chain

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14
Q

what do the bars represent on a pyramid of numbers

A

the population- so the wider the bar, the larger the population

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15
Q

what happens to energy between the trophic levels in pyramid of numbers

A

energy is lost to the surroundings from one trophic level to the next so there are usually fewer organisms at each trophic level ( less chances of survival)

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16
Q

why does a pyramid of numbers not always look like a pyramid

A

because one large producer can feed many small consumers ( eg. 1 oak tree can feed many insects )

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17
Q

definition of pyramids of biomass

A

shows the transfer of energy at each trophic level by calculating the dry mass of each population of species

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18
Q

what is biomass ( in terms of a pyramid of biomass)

A

the mass of living material in each organism multiplied by their population at each trophic level

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19
Q

why will pyramids of biomass always look like a pyramid

A

because biomass is a measure of the amount of food available - this decreases from one trophic level to the next as energy is lost ( to respiration, not digested or not eaten )

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20
Q

definition of pyramids of energy transfer

A

shows the transfer of energy at each trophic level from one trophic level to the next

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21
Q

why does each trophic level reduce the amount of energy available for the next

A

because only 10% of energy is passed on

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22
Q

why is only 10% of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next

A

energy is lost to:

  1. respiration
  2. not eaten
  3. not digested
  4. excreted as watse
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23
Q

definition of trophic level

A

feeding levels in a food chain

24
Q

definition of carbon cycle

A

describes the movement of carbon molecules in the enviroment

25
what are the 4 stages in the carbon cycle
1. Respiration 2. Photosynthesis 3. Decomposition 4. Combustion
26
explain the 1st stage of the carbon cycle - Respiration
all living organism will respire aerobically and release CO2 into the atmosphere
27
explain the 2nd stage of the carbon cycle - Photosynthesis
fixes carbon atoms from atmospheric CO2 into organic molecules and becomes part of complex carbon compounds in plants
28
explain the 3rd stage of the carbon cycle - Decomposition
Dead organisms are broken down by decomposers and carbon in their bodies are returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide
29
explain the 4th stage of the carbon cycle- - Combustion
if decomposition is blocked plants and animals are available as fossil fuels after a long period of time combustion of fossil fuels release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere
30
PAPER 2 what are the 5 stages of the nitrogen cycle
1. Nitrogen Fixation 2. Absorption by plants 3. Moving along food chains 4. Death of organisms 5. Dentrification
31
PAPER 2 explain the 1st stage of the nitrogen cycle- - Nitrogen Fixation
nitrogen in atmosphere to unreactive to be used directly has to be changed into soluble ions nitrogen fixing bacteria in roots nodules of legumes will convert nitrogen into nitrate lightening converts nitrogen into nitrates Haber process will convert nitrogen into ammonia & nitrifying bacteria will turn ammonia into nitrates
32
PAPER 2 explain the 2nd stage of the nitrogen cycle- Absorption by plants
plants will absorb nitrates through roots by active transport nitrate ions help produce amino acids = protein= part of plants biomass
33
PAPER 2 explain the 3rd stage of the nitrogen cycle- - Moving along food chains
animals will eat plants and nitrogen from plants protein will become protein in animal nitrogen is also passed from one animal to another by feeding
34
PAPER 2 explain the 4th stage of the nitrogen cycle- - Death of organism
decomposers ( bacteria and fungi ) will break down urea, egested material and dead bodies & nitrogen compounds will be returned to the soil as ammonium ions nitrifying bacteria will convert ammonia ions into nitrates for plants to absorb
35
PAPER 2 explain the 5th stage of the nitrogen cycle- - Dentrification
denitrifying bacteria in the soil will break down nitrates and return nitrogen gas into the air occurs in waterlogged soil so can be prevented by reducing drainage
36
definition of eutrophication
when fertilisers are washed off from land into rivers and lakes by rain
37
what are the biological consequences of eutrophication
1. excessive nutrients from fertilisers washed into rivers and lakes by rain 2. excessive nutrients = rapid plant growth eg. Algae Bloom ( on surface ) 3. algae bloom blocks sunlight = plants die = less photosynthesis = oxygen levels decrease 4. Decomposers ( bacteria ) will further deplete oxygen as will respire aerobically to break down dead plants 5. death of ecosystem will occur as oxygen levels reach a point where no life is possible = aquatic organisms die eg. fish
38
what are the 2 biological consequences of pollution of water by sewage
1. Reproduction of microorganisms | 2. Depletion of oxygen
39
explain reproduction of microorganisms
sewage = rich in minerals + nutrients = provides large amounts of energy to allow organism such as decomposers to reproduce = increase population sewage = rich in nutrients ( phosphates) = growth of algae= algae bloom form on surface.
40
explain depletion of oxygen
decomposers will respire aerobically to break down sewage and dead plants (from lack of sunshine) so will cause depletion of oxygen = death of aquatic organisms sewage will increase population of organisms in the water so will cause more aerobic respiration to take place
41
explain the pollution of air by sulphur dioxide | 2 steps
fossil fuels burn to produce sulphur dioxide sulphur dioxide will dissolve in water droplet in clouds = dilute sulphuric acid
42
what are the consequences of pollution of air by sulphur dioxide ( 4 things )
leaches minerals + nutrients out of soil= plants trees die damages waxy layer of leaves= difficult for plants to absorb mineral ions ( need for growth ) makes river + lakes too acidic = aquatic organisms die corrodes metals ( steel ) + limestone in buildings
43
explain the pollution of air by carbon monoxide ( 2 steps )
poisonous gas that produced when fossil fuels burn in limited amount of ( incomplete combustion ) binds to haemoglobin + reduces the capacity of oxygen carried in red blood cells
44
what are the consequences of pollution of air by carbon monoxide ( 3 things )
reduces capacity of oxygen carried in blood = tiredness unconsciousness + even death less oxygen fro aerobic respiration= emphysema if pregnant - insufficient oxygen = less aerobic respiration to release energy fro growth of foetus.
45
Give 5 examples of green house gases
1. Water vapour = rivers, lakes + oceans 2. CO2= deforestation + burning fuels 3. Nitrous oxides = Fertilisers + vehicle engines 4. Methane = rice paddy fields + cattle 5. CFCs Refrigerators
46
definition of greenhouse gases
gases that absorb infrared radiation from the sun and remains trapped in the earths atmosphere = earths temp. to rise as a result
47
explain green house effect ( 4 steps )
1. sun emits rays that enter earths atmosphere 2. heat is emitted back from the earths surface 3. some heat is reflected back out into space 4. BUT some heat is absorbed by greenhouse gasses + trapped within the earths atmosphere = earths av. temp. to rise
48
what are the consequences of the green house effect ( 5 things )
earths increase in temp. = climate change high temp. = glaciers melt= sea levels rise loss of habitat - due to climate inhabitable environment = extinction of species migration of species= move to more habitable areas
49
PAPER 2 what are the effects of deforestation ( 4 things )
1. Leaching 2. Soil erosion 3. Disturbance of water cycle 4. unbalance in atmospheric oxygen + CO2
50
PAPER 2 explain leaching ( effect of deforestation )
without trees nutrients + minerals will remain unused in the soil = washed away into rivers + lakes by rain
51
PAPER 2 explain soil erosion ( effect of deforestation )
without trees soil will be loose + unstable = easily washed away by rain
52
PAPER 2 explain disturbance of water cycle ( effect of deforestation )
without trees less transpiration will occur = less water vapour released into atmosphere = less clouds form = lack of precipitation= droughts
53
PAPER 2 explain unbalance in atmospheric oxygen + CO2 ( effect of deforestation )
removal of trees = less photosynthesis = decrease oxygen + increase CO2 deforestation = burning of trees = CO2=increase CO2 levels in atmosphere
54
definition abiotic
non living factor that changes environment which plants and animals live in
55
definition of biotic
living factor that changes environment which plants and animals live in
56
examples of abiotic factors
environmental condition = temp. , light intensity , moisture level toxic chemical = bioaccumulation =each stage of food chain concentration of pesticide increases
57
examples of biotic factors
availability of food number of predators competition = organism compete with other species for same resources

Biology (14 decks)

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