Unit D Flashcards

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1
Q

The biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment is called?

A

Ecosystem

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2
Q

Open vs closed system

A

Open - both energy and matter are exchanged.

Closed - energy is exchanged but not matter

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3
Q

Abiotic factors

A

non-living part of the environment

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4
Q

Biotic factors

A

living components of environment

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5
Q

Habitat includes

A

shelter, water, food, space

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6
Q

Ideal habitat includes

A

best combination of biotic and abiotic factors to meet an organisms needs.

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7
Q

Process of algal bloom

A

nitrogen and phosphates in fertilizer are carried into local streams. The increased nitrogen and phosphates stimulate algae growth, deplete the oxygen in water, and block sunlight.

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8
Q

Ecology

A

study of how organisms interact with one another and their environment

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9
Q

Population

A

a group of organisms of the same species and in the same area who interbreed.

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10
Q

Community

A

interaction of populations in a certain area.

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11
Q

5 levels of organization in ecology and order.

A

organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere

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12
Q

Biomass

A

all the dry mass of living and recently dead organisms occupying a habitat.

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13
Q

why is biomass important in ecology

A

compare ecosystems and compare an ecosystem over time.

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14
Q

Interspecific competition

A

competition between organisms of different species

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15
Q

Intraspecific competition

A

competition between organisms within the same population

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16
Q

symbiotic relationship

A

long-lasting ecological relationship that benefits at least one organism of two different species.

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17
Q

Predator-prey cycle

A

1) Prey is plentiful predators increase
2) predators increase, prey decreases.
3) decrease supply of food so predators migrate or die off.
4) decreasing predator population allows prey populations to increase.

cycle repeats

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18
Q

interspecific competition occurs for what resources

A
  • food
  • territory
  • shelter
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19
Q

Intraspecific competition occurs for what resources

A
  • food
  • territory
  • shelter
  • mating partners
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20
Q

Mutualism

A

both species benefit

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21
Q

Commensalism

A

one species benefits, the other species is unaffected

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22
Q

Parasitism

A

One species benefits while the other is harmed

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23
Q

The source of all energy on Earth is ?

A

The sun

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24
Q

Autotroph/producers

A

Produce their own food through photosynthesis (plants).

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25
Q

Heterotroph/consumer

A

Rely on other organisms for energy.

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26
Q

Primary consumer

A

Rely directly on producer. Also referred to as herbivore.

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27
Q

Secondary consumer

A

Consume primary consumers. Obtain energy from primary consumers.

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28
Q

Tertiary consumers

A

Obtain energy from secondary consumers and sometimes primary consumers. (not predated on by other animals)

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29
Q

Omnivore

A

Eats plants and animals

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30
Q

Carnivore

A

Eats animals only. Obtains energy from other carnivores.

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31
Q

Scavenger

A

Organisms that feed on dead animals. Obtains energy from animals it did not kill.

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32
Q

Decomposer

A

Organisms that obtain energy from dead organic matter by breaking down complex organic molecules .(fungi, worms, carion beetle etc.)

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33
Q

First law of thermodynamics

A

energy cannot be created or destroyed

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34
Q

Photosynthesis

A

Sun’s energy converts H2O and CO2 to sugar compounds, while releasing O2.

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35
Q

Trophic levels

A

Division of species within an ecosystem based on energy source (producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer).

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36
Q

10% rule

A

When energy is passed from one trophic level to the next only 10% will be passed on.

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37
Q

3 kinds of ecological pyramids used in ecology.

A

Pyramid of biomass, pyramid of numbers, and pyramid of energy

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38
Q

Pyramid of biomass

A

divides trophic levels based on dry mass.

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39
Q

Pyramid of numbers

A

Divides trophic levels based on number of organisms

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40
Q

Pyramid of energy

A

Divides trophic levels based on energy source.

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41
Q

Why do energy pyramids always get smaller as you go up trophic levels.

A

Energy is inefficient. Energy is always lost as heat.

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42
Q

Food Chain

A

Simple representation of energy transfer. Shows only a specific feeding interaction. 1 species at each trophic level.

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43
Q

How does energy transfer between species?

A

From lower trophic level to higher trophic level. (from producer to primary consumer to secondary consumer to tertiary consumer).

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44
Q

Food Web

A

Interconnects several feeding relationships within an ecosystem.

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45
Q

Habitat fragmentation

A

Converting formerly continuous habitats into smaller patches of habitats. ex) roads

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46
Q

Invasive species

A

A species that causes ecological harm in a new environment where it is not native.

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47
Q

What do invasive species threaten and why?

A

Biodiversity as they outcompete native species in the area.

48
Q

5 categories for species at risk in AB

A

1) vulnerable
2) Threatened
3) Endangered
4) Extirpated
5) Extinct

49
Q

How has the economy damaged ecosystems

A

1) mass extinction
2) loss of biodiversity
3) loss of diversity within species.
4) ecosystem diversity
5) pollution - reduced clean air, water and habitable land

50
Q

steps to reducing harm on ecosystems

A

1) identify source of pollution and degradation.

2) Either decrease supply or demand of resources contributing to pollution and degradation.

51
Q

Issues with decreasing demand for Greenhouse Gasses.

A

1) lack of incentive - sky shared by everyone.

2) Size of country population vs per capita use.

52
Q

How can we decrease supply of Greenhouse Gases.

A

1) Find alternative sources and wait for them to become cheaper.
2) Manipulate markets with taxes and subsides.

53
Q

How are matter and energy different

A

Energy flows into ecosystems and escapes from Earth as heat.

Matter is recycled. It cannot escape Earth.(move in any direction).

54
Q

biogeochemical cycle

A

A pathway by which chemical substances move through biotic and abiotic compartments of Earth.

55
Q

Hydrologic cycle components.

A
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
Runoff 
Groundwater
Infiltration
56
Q

Fire consequence on Hydrologic cycle

A

waxy layer is created that doesn’t allow water to infiltrate into ground. Water after rainfall therefore flows out of fire burned areas quicker than unburned areas.

57
Q

Deforestation on Hydrologic cycle

A

Changes where transpiration happens. Has consequences on temperature and moisture content in an ecosystem.

58
Q

Carbon cycle components

A

Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
Decomposition
Carbon sinks

59
Q

Photosynthesis (CO2 cycle)

A

producers take in CO2 for photosynthesis and release O2.

60
Q

Cellular respiration (CO2)

A

Consumers take in O2 and release CO2

61
Q

Decomposition (CO2 cycle)

A

CO2 released when decomposers break down dead matter.

62
Q

Carbon sink

A

A system that removes more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases.

-boreal forest (photosynthesis), ocean.

63
Q

Carbon source

A

A system that adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

-volcanoes, cellular respiration

64
Q

Human impacts on CO2 cycle

A

Burning fossil fuels - releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.

Deforestation - reducing trees for photosynthesis.

65
Q

How does fire contribute to added CO2 in the atmosphere?

A

loss of trees for photosynthesis.

burning of dead matter (like leaves on the ground) releases CO2

66
Q

Oxygen cycle components

A

combustion
cellular respiration
decomposition
photosynthesis

67
Q

How do CFCs impact the ozone?

A

CFCs break the bond of ozone (O3). thinning the ozone and reducing its ability to protect us from UV radiation.

68
Q

Nitrogen cycle components

A

nitrogen fixation
nitrification
denitrification

69
Q

Nitrogen fixation

A

converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia.

-nitrogen fixing bacteria.

70
Q

Nitrification

A

Converts ammonia into nitrate and nitrite ions.

-nitrifying bacteria.

71
Q

Denitrification

A

Convert nitrate and nitrite ions into atmospheric diatomic nitrogen.

-denitrifying bacteria.

72
Q

Wildfire impact on nitrogen cycle

A

break organic matter into ammonia, nitrates, and nitrates available for plants to take in.

73
Q

Ecological succesion

A

process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time.

74
Q

primary succession

A

process of changing an environment from an area of bare rock and a few species to a complex community.

75
Q

secondary succession

A

process of returning to a stable community from an area that has had its vegetation-but not its soil-removed.

76
Q

which is colonized for the very first time… primary or secondary succession

A

Primary succesion

77
Q

Pioneer species

A

The first organisms to invade an area who change the environment by making it suitable to support more complex life forms.

-are found in both primary and secondary succession.

78
Q

Climax community

A

A stable community of plants and animals that results from succession.

79
Q

which is slower? primary or secondary succesion

A

Primary succesion.

80
Q

Why do healthy forests depend on fires?

A

Fires provide nutrients to the soil, kill diseases, and refresh the habitat.

81
Q

Gradualism

A

changed to the organisms population that occur slowly and steadily over Earth’s history.

82
Q

Punctuated equilibrium

A

Changes to the organisms in a population that occur in rapid spurts followed by long periods of little change.

83
Q

Adaptation

A

any structural trait or behaviour that improves an organism’s success at surviving and reproducing in a particular environment.

84
Q

Sexual selection

A

selection for mates.

-larger horns, nicer feathers etc.

85
Q

behavioural adaptations

A

responses made by organisms that help it survive and reproduce.

86
Q

physiological adaptations

A

body process the help an organism to survive and reproduce.

87
Q

Structural adaptations

A

a physical feature of an organisms body that helps it to survive/reproduce

88
Q

variation

A

differences in genes and traits of individual organisms.

  • eye colour
  • hair colour
89
Q

What leads to natural selection

A

preference for one physical attribute over others.

90
Q

Each organism has how many sets of genes in each cell

A

2

91
Q

genes determine what?

A

an organisms character - physiologically, structurally, and behaviourally (to some degree).

92
Q

Genes are?

A

instructions coded in chemical formulas. They tell us how to look, grow, etc.

93
Q

Mutation

A

mistakes made during the cell recopying phase that lead to different (new) information being coded in the gene.

94
Q

Variations in populations are a result of

A

mutations throughout time.

95
Q

Camouflage leads to selection through

A

organisms that camouflage better avoid predators and pass their genes to the next generation. Those who don’t might die and their traits are not passed to the next generation.

96
Q

If mutations are beneficial they lead to?

A

adaptations.

97
Q

Darwins 3 observation of the finches.

A

1) organisms produce more offsprings than can survive.

2) There is variation among individuals with respect to any trait in a population.
3) Organisms within a population compete for limited resources.

98
Q

Adaptations increase an organisms chance of?

A

survival and reproduction

99
Q

Darwinian fitness

A

the reproductive success of an organism.

100
Q

2 requirements for natural selection?

A

1) variation in some trait.

2) Difference in the rate of survival and reproduction associated with the possession of that certain trait.

101
Q

Lamarck’s theory of evolution.

A

Physical changes occur during an individuals life time (usually as a consequence of increased use) and then passed on to the next generation.

-giraffe example.

102
Q

Evidences of evolution - Homologous structures.

A

body parts of species that have similar features suggesting a common ancestor.

103
Q

Evidences of evolution - vestigial structures.

A

Structures that have no apparent function and appear to be remaining parts from a past ancestor.

104
Q

Evidences of evolution - biogeography

A

organisms separated by a geographical barrier often show common characteristics - suggesting a common ancestor.

105
Q

Doubling time

A

the amount of time it takes for a population to double its size.

106
Q

Exponential growth

A

rapid growth of a population caused by a constant increase.

107
Q

4 major factors that affect population size

A

1) number of births
2) number of deaths
3) Immigration
4) Emigration

108
Q

Immigration

A

movement into a population

109
Q

emigration

A

movement out of a population

110
Q

Closed population

A

only births and deaths change the population size.

111
Q

Open populations

A

births, deaths, immigration, and emigration all affect population size.

112
Q

Population explosion

A

rapid increase in a population.

113
Q

Population crash

A

rapid drop in a population.

114
Q

Carrying capacity

A

Maximum number of individuals that can be sustained for an indefinite period in a given ecosystem.

115
Q

Top-down regulation of populations

A

limitations placed by factors controlling deaths (parasites, predators, disease etc)

116
Q

Bottom-up regulations of populations

A

limitations placed by factors controlling resources (ex: food, territory, mates)