Unit 2 Flashcards

1
Q

species

A

group of organisms sharing common characteristics that interbreed and produce fertile offspring

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2
Q

habitat

A

environment in which a species normally lives

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3
Q

niche

A

particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources to which an organism or population responds

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4
Q

population

A

a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time and capable of interbreeding

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5
Q

parasitism

A

the host provides a habitat and food for the bacteria, but in return, the bacteria cause disease in the host

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6
Q

competition

A

a common demand by two or more organisms upon a limited supply of a resource

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7
Q

predation

A

one species feeds on another which enhances fitness of predator but reduces fitness of prey

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8
Q

herbivory

A

the act of eating plants

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9
Q

mutualism

A

a type of symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit from the relationship

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10
Q

different interactions between organisms

A

the interactions should be understood in terms the influences each species has on the population dynamics of others, and upon the carrying capacity of others’ environment.
eg: mutualism, parasitism, predation, competition

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11
Q

difference between fundamental and realised niche

A

fundamental: full range of conditions and resources in which a species could survive and reproduce
realised: actual range of conditions and resources in which a species exists due to its biotic interactions such as competition and predation

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12
Q

difference between abiotic and biotic factors

A

Biotic factors are living things within an ecosystem; such as plants, animals, and bacteria, while abiotic are non-living components; such as water, soil and atmosphere

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13
Q

what does an s curve represent

A

In an environment where resources become limited, populations exhibit a pattern of growth called logistic growth. A logistic growth pattern (S curve) occurs when environmental pressures slow the rate of growth.

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14
Q

what does a j curve represent

A

J curve can be defined as the j shaped growth curve that graphically represents a situation in a new environment where the population density of an organism increases at an exponential rate.

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15
Q

the impact of limiting factors on population growth

A

slowing of population growth as it approaches the carrying capacity of a system

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16
Q

carrying capacity

A

the maximum number of individuals of a given species that an area’s resources can sustain indefinitely without significantly depleting or degrading those resources.

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17
Q

community

A

group of populations living and interacting with each other in a common habitat

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18
Q

ecosystem

A

is a community and the physical environment it interacts with

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19
Q

inputs and outputs of photosynthesis

A

inputs – light energy, carbon dioxide, water
outputs – glucose, oxygen

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20
Q

inputs and outputs of respiration

A

inputs – glucose, oxygen outputs – carbon dioxide, energy, water.

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21
Q

first law of thermodynamics and how it is illustrated in an ecosystem

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It is just converted from one form to another.
is illustrated by the flow of energy and matter (photosynthesis)

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22
Q

second law of thermodynamics and how it is illustrated in an ecosystem

A

states that in any closed system, the amount of usable energy decreases over time
is illustrated by the flow of energy from one trophic level to another

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23
Q

identify producers, consumers and various trophic levels in a food chain

A

Producers: - autotrophs (green plants)
- chemosynthetic organisms
Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, detritivores and decomposers)

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24
Q

state the source of energy for all food chains

A

SUN

25
Q

the difference between chemosynthetic and photosynthetic organisms

A

photosynthesis is powered by sunlight while chemosynthesis runs on chemical energy

26
Q

bioaccumulation

A

build up of persistent/non-biodegradable pollutants within an organism or a trophic level because they cannot be broken down

27
Q

biomagnification

A

increase in concentration of persistent or non biodegradable pollutants along a food chain

28
Q

examples of toxins which accumulate along a food chain

A

DDT and mercury due to the decrease of biomass and energy

29
Q

explain when an inverted pyramid of numbers would be seen

A

when individuals at lower trophic levels are relatively large

30
Q

explain the impact of a persistent pollutant in an ecosystem

A

accumulate and magnify in living organisms through the food chain, and are toxic to both humans and wildlife.

31
Q

explain why not all solar radiation becomes available to ecosystems

A

as solar radiation enters the Earth’s atmosphere some energy becomes unavailable for ecosystems as the energy is absorbed by inorganic matter or reflected back into the atmosphere

32
Q

state different pathways of energy through an ecosystem

A
  • conversion of light energy to chemical energy
  • transfer of chemical energy from one trophic level to another with varying efficiencies
  • overall conversion of ultraviolet and visible light to heat energy by an ecosystem
  • re-radiation of heat energy to the atmosphere
33
Q

Define GPP, NPP, GSP and NSP

A

GPP= Gross Primary Productivity
NPP= Net Primary Productivity
GSP= Gross Secondary Productivity
NSP= Net Secondary Productivity

34
Q

Calculate NPP, GSP and NSP

A

NPP= GPP-R
GSP= food eaten - fecal loss
NSP= GSP-R

35
Q

define maximum sustainable yield

A

equivalent to the net primary or net secondary productivity of a system

36
Q

explain the impact of human activity on sinks and flows in the carbon and nitrogen cycles

A

In the carbon cycle, increased emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning, deforestation, and other activities has led to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, resulting in higher temperatures and more extreme weather events. In the nitrogen cycle, human activities such as agriculture and industry have led to an increase in the amount of nitrous oxide released into the atmosphere, leading to smog and other environmental problems.

37
Q

biomes

A

collections of ecosystems sharing similar climatic conditions which can be grouped into five major classes - aquatic, first, grassland, desert, and tundra

38
Q

state factors which impact biome distribution

A

Temperature range, soil type, and the amount of light and water

39
Q

Briefly state the influence of the tricellular model on biome distribution

A

explains the distribution of precipitation and temperature influencing structure and relative productivity of different terrestrial biomes

40
Q

zonation

A

refers to changes in community along an environmental gradient

41
Q

state factors which cause zonation

A

changes in altitude, latitude, tidal level, or distance from shore

42
Q

succession

A

process of change over time in an ecosystem involving pioneer, intermediate and climax communities

43
Q

Explain the stages in primary succession using key terminology (pioneers, intermediate communities, climax communities etc)

A

Primary succession is the gradual process of ecosystem development which occurs when a new environment is colonized by life. It has four distinct stages: 1) Pioneer species colonize the area and begin to break down rocks, creating soil; 2) Intermediate communities develop, increasing biodiversity; 3) Climax communities are established, marked by increased diversity and stability; 4) Succession is complete when a mature, stable ecosystem is established.

44
Q

Explain the changes that occur during succession

A

during succession the patterns of energy flow, gross and net productivity, diversity and mineral cycling change over time

45
Q

r and k strategist species

A

have reproductive strategies that are better adapted to pioneer and climax communities respectively

46
Q

Explain the difference between r and k selected species

A

R-selected species are species that reproduce quickly and have short life spans. They tend to produce large numbers of offspring but do not invest much in the care of each individual offspring. K-selected species, on the other hand, reproduce slowly and have longer life spans. They produce fewer offspring but invest more resources in each individual, such as providing parental care or teaching the offspring necessary skills for survival.

47
Q

Explain the impact of succession on GPP and NPP

A

Primary succession has a significant impact on Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP). As new species colonize an area, GPP and NPP increase as the environment becomes more hospitable to plants and other organisms. Over time, GPP and NPP reach a peak as the environment reaches the climax community stage. After this point, GPP and NPP may decrease slightly as the environment becomes more stable, although they typically remain at high levels.

48
Q

Explain when secondary succession may occur

A

where natural communities develop in an area that was earlier occupied by living organisms that were somehow lost. It begins in areas where natural biotic communities have been destroyed such as in abandoned farm lands, deforested lands, flooded lands, burned forests, etc.

49
Q

Compare distribution, structure, biodiversity and productivity of 2 contrasting biomes

A

Two contrasting biomes are the tropical rainforest and the desert. The tropical rainforest is characterized by high levels of precipitation, warm temperatures, and a high diversity of plants and animals. In contrast, the desert is characterized by low levels of precipitation, extreme temperatures, and relatively low biodiversity. The tropical rainforest is more productive than the desert due to its higher levels of rainfall, leading to a greater availability of resources for plants and animals. Additionally, the rainforest has a more complex structure, with multiple layers of vegetation, while the desert has a simpler, more uniform structure. Finally, the tropical rainforest is much more biodiverse than the desert, with a wide variety of plants and animals adapted to their environment.

50
Q

Explain why sampling would be used

A
51
Q

Explain why measurements in sampling should be repeated

A
52
Q

Explain how to use named equipment to measure at least 3 different abiotic factors

A
53
Q

Evaluate at least 3 pieces of equipment used to measure abiotic factors

A
54
Q

Explain methods for sampling motile organisms

A
55
Q

Explain methods for calculating biomass and productivity of ecosystems and evaluate these

A
56
Q

Explain the use of transects and quadrats

A
57
Q

Understand the use of the Lincoln index and be able to calculate it and evaluate its use

A
58
Q

Understand the use of Simpsons Diversity Index and be able to calculate it and evaluate its use

A