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ESS > Unit 2 > Flashcards

Unit 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is a biosphere

A

All the parts of the Earth where life exists, conditions in these areas have to be suitable for life

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2
Q

What does the lithosphere contain

A

Rocks that degrade to form soils

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3
Q

What does the atmosphere contain

A

Gases

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4
Q

What does the hydrosphere contain

A

Water resources

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5
Q

What is a species

A

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

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6
Q

What does a taxonomist do

A

Classifies species

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7
Q

What is a dichotomous key

A

A way to classify species

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8
Q

What is ecology

A

The study of living organisms in relation to their environment

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9
Q

What are some limitations of dichotomous keys

A

Only the physical characteristics of the organism can be used, technical terms are used to help understand, and some physical characteristics of organisms can not be easily seen

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10
Q

What is a population

A

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time which are capable of interbreeding

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11
Q

What are biotic factors

A

The living components of an ecosystem

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12
Q

What are abiotic factors

A

Non-living, physical factors that influence the organisms and ecosystem

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13
Q

What three types can ecosystems be divided into

A

Marine, freshwater and terrestrial

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14
Q

What are some abiotic factors of a marine ecosystem

A

Salinity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, soil texture

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15
Q

What are some abiotic factors of a freshwater ecosystem

A

Turbidity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, flow velocity, light intensity

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16
Q

What are some abiotic factors of a terrestrial ecosystem

A

Temperature, light intensity, wind speed, soil texture, soil moisture and soil mineral content

17
Q

What is a niche

A

The description of the particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources on which an organism or population depends

18
Q

What is herbivory

A

An interaction where an animal feeds on a plant

19
Q

What is carrying capacity

A

The maximum number of individuals an ecosystem can support

20
Q

What is a parasite

A

An organism that benefits at the expense of another from which it derives food

21
Q

What is mutualism

A

Two species interacting with each other and mutual benefit

22
Q

What is symbiosis

A

Two different species who live together in a close relationship

23
Q

What is commensialism

A

Two species interacting with each other, one species benefits and the other is unaffected

24
Q

What is competition

A

The demand by individuals for limited environmental resources

25
Q

What is a predator-prey relationship

A

When predators consume prey, transferring energy and nutrients up trophic levels

26
Q

What are limiting factors

A

Anything that constrains a population’s size and slows it

27
Q

What is an s-shaped population curve

A

A population graph where the population grows until it reaches a stable size, based on the carrying capacity

28
Q

What is a J-shaped population curve

A

Population that grows exponentially

ESS (2 decks)

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