unit 4

Question 1

Abiotic

Answer 1

the non-living parts of an ecosystem

Question 2

Biotic

Answer 2

the living parts of an ecosystem

Question 3

Atmosphere

Answer 3

the layer of gases above Earth’s surface

Question 4

Decomposer

Answer 4

break down dead organisms into nutrients

Question 5

Bioaccumulation

Answer 5

when toxins are ingested by an organism at a faster rate than they are eliminated

Question 6

Ecosystem

Answer 6

all the interacting parts of a biological community and its environment

Question 7

Terrestrial ecosystem

Answer 7

an ecosystem that is land-based

Question 8

Greenhouse gases

Answer 8

atmospheric gases that naturally blanket the Earth

Question 9

Biodiversity

Answer 9

the variety of all living things and their interactions

Question 10

Carbon cycle

Answer 10

the process in which carbon atoms continually travel from the atmosphere to the Earth and then back into the atmosphere

Question 11

Carrying capacity

Answer 11

a species’ average population size in a particular habitat

Question 12

Consumer

Answer 12

an organism that cannot produce its own food and must eat other plants and animals to get energy.

Question 13

Food chain

Answer 13

a series of organisms that eat one another so that energy and nutrients flow from one to the next

Question 14

Invasive species

Answer 14

animals or plants from another region of the world that don’t belong in their new environment

Question 15

Population

Answer 15

a group of individuals that belong in the same species and live in the same area

Question 16

Predator

Answer 16

an animal that naturally prey on others

Question 17

Prey

Answer 17

an animal that is caught and killed by another for food

Question 18

Producer

Answer 18

a plant or algae that can produce food and for itself using energy from the sun or chemicals found in the ocean

Question 19

Species

Answer 19

a group of organisms that can reproduce naturally with one another and create fertile offspring.

Question 20

Tertiary consumers

Answer 20

animals that eat other animals

Question 21

Describe the difference between biotic and abiotic factors. Provide two examples of each.

Answer 21

An abiotic factor is the non-living part of an ecosystem. Examples include water and oxygen.
A biotic factor is the living parts of an ecosystem. Examples include plants and animals

Question 22

Identify two biotic and two abiotic factors that affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem.

Answer 22

Biotic: predators, disease

Abiotic: water, oxygen, space

Question 23

Explain how the burning of fossil fuels can cause acid rain

Answer 23

When sulfur dioxide(SO2) and nitrogen oxide(NOx) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents

Question 24

Name the most common greenhouse gases. Why do we need GHGs? How can they be harmful to the environment

Answer 24

Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs). We need GHGs because they keep the Earth warm. They can be harmful to the environment due to the burning fossil fuels, agriculture and a growing human population, and Global warming

Question 25

Discuss the relationship between predators and prey (use an example).

Answer 25

The predators are animals that hunt and feed on the other animals, which are the prey. While the prey tries to avoid getting caught. An example can be Lions and zebras. Lions are the predators, and the zebras are the prey.

Question 26

Describe the carbon cycle

Answer 26

CO2 gases move through the atmosphere and biosphere. Carbon enters lithosphere when remains of organisms are trapped underground. After millions of years they are converted into fossil fuels. Humans burn fossil fuels for energy and carbon is returned to the atmosphere.

Question 27

Describe the water cycle

Answer 27

Movement of H2O between the hydrosphere and atmosphere. H2O vapors rises in atmosphere, cools and condenses. Then, clouds form to condensed water droplets, H2O falls back to lithosphere as precipitation. After, H2O is absorbed into biosphere

Question 28

Explain how humans have threatened biodiversity

Answer 28

Humans threaten biodiversity by habitat destruction. As the human population grow, we have to clear spaces to make more housing or agriculture. Doing this destroys other animals habitats.

Question 29

Identify three things humans have done to try and improve the environment.

Answer 29

Three things humans have done to try and improve the environment is use electric cars instead or gas powered cars, picking up litter, and use renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.