UNIT D3 FLASHCARDS: The biosphere and Ecosystems
Open systems
Systems which allow for the input and output of energy and matter
Closed systems
Systems which do not allow for the transfer of matter. These allow for the transfer of energy
Isolated systems
Systems which do not allow for the transfer of the matter and energy
What type of system is applied to the Earth?
The earth is a Natural Closed System, because of its gravity
The biosphere
All areas of the Earth that are inhabited by life, contains biotic and abiotic factors
Atmosphere
The gaseous part of the Earth concentrated mainly 10 km above the Earth
Geosphere
the solid portion of the Earth
Hydrosphere
The liquid part of the Earth
Biotic factors are:
Living components
Abiotic factors are:
non-living components
Organism
a single living unit
Population
a group of organisms of the same species occupying an area at the same time.
Community
A number of different populations in the same area
Ecosystem
A community and its physical and chemical enviroment
Biodiversity
The number of species in an ecosystem
What percentage of the suns rays is captured by producers on land and in the ocean?
1-2%
Albedo
The reflectivity of a substance
Ex. ice and snow have an albedo of approx. 0.9
(1= perfectly reflective, 0= no reflection)
Photosynthetic produces
Capture the suns energy and convert it to Chemical energy (glucose)
Chemosynthetic Producers
Capture the chemical energy stored in chemical bonds and convert it to chemical energy (glucose)
(Archaea) Halophiles
Salt tolerant
(Archaea) Thermophiles
Heat tolerant
(Archaea) Acidophiles
Acidic pH tolerant
Carotenoids & Xanthophylls
Red, Orange or yellow pigments that include the familliar compound caratene, which gives carrots their colour
Matter
- Matter is constantly cycled
-All inorganic and organic matter originates from elements withing the biosphere
-cycles include the hydrologic, carbon-oxygen, phosphorous and nitrogen
-energy is described as flowing, its a one way process of energy use - energy cannot be cycled completely
“Lost Energy”
- During the flow of energy transfer, energy is always ‘lost’ in the form of heat.
Entrophy
enviromental heat is no longer usable
1st Law of Thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only trasformed from one form to another
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
During any energy transformation, unusable heat energy is released
Autotrophs
Organisms that produce their own food by using an energy source such as solar energy or chemicals
Heterotrophs
Organisms that must consume other organisms to obtain energy
Producers
Function: Convert inorganic energy into organic energy
- Example: Dandelions
Primary consumers
Function: eat autotrophs
- Example: Rabbits
Secondary and Tertiary consumers
Function: Eat other heterotrophs
- Example: Coyotes
Decomposers
Function: Breakdown dead organic material
- Example: Fungus (also known as Saprophytes)
Detritus
The waste and remains of organisms
Detrivours
Consume detritus
- Example: worms
Scavengers
Consume dead animals
- Example: Vultures
Trophic level
The feeding level through which energy and matter are transferred
Food chain
Shows the linear pathway through which food is transferred from producers to primary consumers and to progressively higher feeding levels.
Food chains are normally not longer than 5 organisms
Food web
Shows energy transfer among several food chains
How much energy is available from one trophic level to the next higher one
10%
Niche
A specific role an organisms has in an environment
What happenes to the other 90% of energy during a transfer?
Transfers are inefficient and there is a loss of heat
Pyramid
Represents quantities available at each trophic level
Pyramid of numbers
Based on the number of organisms in each trophic level. can be drawn with fewer producers than herbivores
- Example: one tree can support a high number of herbivores
Pyramid of Biomass
Based on the total biomass of organisms in each trophic levels. Biomass has nothing to do with the individual weight of each organism. A pyramid of biomass can be drawn with a lower biomass of producers than herbivores
- Example: Phytoplankton are consumed and reproduce quickly
Pyramid of energy
Based on the total amount of energy in each trophic level. It changes within one trophic level may result in changes to a higher or lower trophic level, as well as energy transfer through an ecosystem
Key properties of water
- Water is a universal solvent
- Water has a relatively high boiling point and melting point.
- Water has special adhesive and cohesive properties.
- Water has a high heat capacity.
Hydrogen bonds
These bonds occur between different water molecules. There is an attraction between the slight positive hydrogen of one water molecule to the slight negative oxygen of another water molecule.
Polarity
This occurs within one water molecule. There is a slight positive charge of hydrogen on one end and a slight negative charge on the opposite end
Water cycling
When water cools on the surface of a water body, it sinks until it reaches its maximum density a t 4 Celsius
Cohesion
Hydrogen bonds cause the attraction of water molecules to each other. cohesion is responsible for surface tension, the reason why many insects can walk on water
Adhesion
The attraction of water molecules to molecules of other substances, such as the inner surface of a glass tube or the cell wall of a tree’s xylem
high heat capacity
A measure of the amount of heat a substance can absorb or release for a given change in temperature
because of hydrogen bonding, water has a very high heat capacity compared with other substances.
Transpiration
The release of water through plant stomata
precipitation
The condensation of water in the atmosphere
infiltration
The movement of water into the ground
Evaporation
The phase change of water from liquid to gas
Leaching
The movement of dissolved organic matter and minerals into lower layers of soil.
Acid Deposition
A process that occurs as a result of gasses within the atmosphere combining with water to form acids. (CO2, SO2, NO2). Acid rain destroys ecosystems through low pH (killing organisms or causing birth defects). It causes the leaching of metals from rock. these form toxic metals such as lead, mercury and aluminum.
Buffering Capacity
The ability of an area to withstand changes in pH
Limestone
Neutralizes the effects of acid rain
Western Canada has high levels of limestone
Eastern Canada has low levels of limestone
Rapid cycling
Substances that quickly move between reservoirs.
Slow Cycling
Substances that can be unavailable for millions of years.
Nitrogen Gas
Makes up 78.1% of the Earths atmosphere. It is unavailable as an organic molecule unless it is first converted by bacteria.
Nitrogen Fixation
A process carried out by nitrogen fixing bacteria that converts N2 to ammonium (NH4+)
These bacteria are located in the soil and in nodes within the roots of legumes
Nitrification
A process carried out by nitrifying bacteria that converts ammonium (NH4+) to nitrates (NO3-) and nitrites (NO2-). This is the usable form for plants and animals.
Denitrification
A process carried out under anaerobic conditions where denitrifying bacteria converts nitrates into N2
Ammoniafication
A process carried out by bacteria and fungi that converts decomposing proteins to ammonia
Fertilizers benefits and costs:
Benefits: nitrogen and phosphorous increases crop yields
Costs: Run - off can introduce these into bodies of water. This can produce the rapid growth of algae.
Algae Blooms
The overgrowth of algae as a result of excessive nitrogen and phosphorous.
Eutrophication
Excessive nutrients allow for the rapid growth and death of organisms. Decay consumes oxygen which can result in the “death” of a body of water.
Pesticides benefits and costs
benefits: increased crop yield and reduced insect related diseases (malaria).
costs: biomagnification (bioaccumulation)
Biomagnification
The persistence and gradual accumulation of pesticides in the fat cells of high level trophic organisms
Ex: DDT and the decline of the peregrine falcon and California condor
Monocultures benefits and costs
benefits: increased crop yield and specific disease and pest resistance
costs: decreased biodiversity and resistance to disease
Biodiversity
The number of different species within an environment. This is also called the gene pool. A small gene pool is very susceptible to extinction.
Natural selection
The “culling” of organisms by the natural environment and the surviving organisms passing on genes by organisms best adapted to the environment.
Bioremediation
The use of wetlands or plants to clean polluted water and provide other ecosystem services such as wildlife feeding and breeding areas.
Ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and their living and non- living environments
An Enviroment
consists of all biotic and abiotic factors found within an specified area.
An Organism
A single unit capable of reproduction
Species
Individuals that can interbreed and produce viable offspring
A Population
A group of the same species found together within an area within a specific time.
A Community
A group of different interacting populations living within an area.
Ecosystem
An area that supports a community of population. This includes the surrounding abiotic factors that support them.
Ecotone
A transition area between ecosystems.
A biome
A large area containing a characteristic population of plants, animals, precipitation and soil conditions.
Biodiversity
Ecosystems with more species tend to be less fragile
An Ecologist
An individual who studies the interactions of organisms with one another and their enviroment.
Niche
The role a species has in an ecosystem
Latitude
The closer an ecosystem is the equator the more energy it receives per square meter.
Elevation
The higher an ecosystem’s elevation the lower the overall temperature
Tundra
An area with low temperatures, low stunted plant growth and a short growing season. The soil is poor and often covers a layer of permafrost. organisms are cold adapted or migrate
Taiga
An area with cool temperatures and containing large numbers conifers. this is the worlds largest biome. plants are adapted for high levels of snow and low temperatures. soil quality is poor. Pine needles create an acidic soil. This kills competitive plants.
Grassland
An area with moderate temperatures and low to moderate precipitation. The is a productive biome. Grass grows from the crown. Grass can therefore be eaten by animals without killing it. The soil is deep and fertile.
Tropical rainforest
An area with high temperatures and precipitation. it has the greatest biodiversity. soil quality is poor. decomposition is very rapid and nutrients are quickly absorbed by plants.
Desert
An area of temperature extremes and very limited precipitation. soil quality is very poor. plants are adapted to quickly take in water, store it for long periods of time and protect it by using spines. animals are normally nocturnal and are adapted for low water conditions.
