ecology 1 flashcards

All 25 cards

1. Card 1

   Define 'biosphere'.

   The biosphere is the part of the Earth and its atmosphere where life can exist. It encompasses all ecosystems and living organisms.

2. Card 2

   What is the definition of 'ecology'?

   Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between groups of organisms and their environment. It examines how living things relate to each other and their surroundings.

3. Card 3

   Distinguish between 'ecosystem' and 'biosphere'.

   An ecosystem consists of specific organisms and their interactions with their immediate environment, such as a pond or a forest. The biosphere is the sum of all ecosystems on Earth, representing the entire zone where life is found.

4. Card 4

   Define 'competition' in an ecological context.

   Competition is the struggle between organisms for resources that are in short supply. These resources can include food, light, water, space, or mates.

5. Card 5

   What are 'biotic factors' in an ecosystem? Provide an example.

   Biotic factors are the living components that influence an organism. Examples include competition for resources, the availability of food, and the presence of predators.

6. Card 6

   What are 'abiotic factors'? Give an example of an abiotic factor affecting a terrestrial environment.

   Abiotic factors are the non-living physical and chemical elements that influence an organism. An example in a terrestrial environment is temperature, which can affect processes like hibernation in hedgehogs.

7. Card 7

   Which of the following is an example of a climatic factor affecting an ecosystem? A) Soil pH B) Predator population C) Rainfall D) Salt content

   C) Rainfall. Climatic factors are weather conditions that affect organisms, and rainfall is a key component of weather.

8. Card 8

   Define 'edaphic factors' and give an example of how they affect terrestrial environments.

   Edaphic factors are soil-related factors that affect organisms. An example is soil type; clay soil, being waterlogged, can reduce plant growth due to poor aeration.

9. Card 9

   Describe the primary source of energy for life on Earth and how it flows into an ecosystem.

   The sun is the primary source of energy for life on Earth. This energy flows into an ecosystem when producers (green plants) use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis.

10. Card 10

    Define 'producer' and 'consumer' in the context of energy flow.

    A producer is an organism, typically a green plant, that makes its own food using energy from the sun. A consumer is an organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms.

11. Card 11

    What is a 'food chain'? Provide an example of a grazing food chain.

    A food chain describes the feeding relationships between organisms, illustrating how energy is transferred. A grazing food chain typically starts with a producer, such as grass, eaten by a primary consumer like a rabbit, which is then eaten by a secondary consumer like a fox.

12. Card 12

    What is a 'trophic level'?

    A trophic level refers to the feeding level in a food chain. Organisms at the same trophic level obtain energy from the same part of the food chain.

13. Card 13

    Define 'food web' and explain its relationship to a food chain.

    A food web consists of two or more intersecting food chains, showing a more complex and realistic representation of feeding relationships within an ecosystem. It illustrates how different organisms can feed on multiple types of prey and be preyed upon by multiple predators.

14. Card 14

    Distinguish between the 'habitat' and the 'niche' of an organism.

    The habitat of an organism is the specific place where it lives, such as a pond or a woodland. The niche is the organism's role in the ecosystem, encompassing how it lives, what it eats, and its interactions within its community.

15. Card 15

    What is a 'pyramid of numbers' and what does it typically show?

    A pyramid of numbers is an ecological pyramid used to illustrate the number of individual organisms at each trophic level in a food chain. Typically, the number of organisms decreases at successive trophic levels.

16. Card 16

    Explain one limitation of using a pyramid of numbers.

    One limitation is that it does not account for the size of organisms. For example, a single large producer like a tree can support thousands of smaller consumers, leading to an inverted pyramid shape that doesn't accurately reflect energy or biomass.

17. Card 17

    What is 'nutrient recycling'?

    Nutrient recycling is the process by which essential elements, such as carbon and nitrogen, are reused within an ecosystem. This ensures that nutrients are continuously available for living organisms.

18. Card 18

    Describe the role of decomposers in nutrient recycling.

    Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead plants and animals. This process releases minerals and nutrients back into the soil or water, making them available for absorption by plants and subsequent transfer through the food chain.

19. Card 19

    Which of the following processes releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere? A) Photosynthesis B) Nitrogen fixation C) Respiration D) Nitrification

    C) Respiration. Both animals and decomposers release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during respiration as they break down organic matter for energy.

20. Card 20

    Outline how green plants contribute to the carbon cycle.

    Green plants take in carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis to produce food. This removes carbon from the atmosphere and incorporates it into organic molecules within the plant.

21. Card 21

    What is 'nitrogen fixation' in the nitrogen cycle?

    Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds, such as ammonia (which is then converted to ammonium) or nitrate, that can be easily absorbed and utilized by plants.

22. Card 22

    Explain the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle, specifically mentioning nitrification.

    Bacteria play crucial roles in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrifying bacteria specifically convert ammonia or ammonium into nitrite, and then further into nitrate, a form of nitrogen that plants can readily absorb.

23. Card 23

    Why can't plants directly absorb atmospheric nitrogen?

    Plants cannot directly absorb atmospheric nitrogen because it exists in its inert, highly unreactive gaseous form (N2). It must first be converted into usable compounds like nitrates or ammonium by nitrogen-fixing organisms.

24. Card 24

    What is 'denitrification' and which type of organism is responsible for it?

    Denitrification is the process where nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas, which is then released into the atmosphere. Denitrifying bacteria are responsible for carrying out this conversion.

25. Card 25

    How does the burning of fossil fuels impact the carbon cycle and global warming?

    The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This increases the concentration of CO2, a greenhouse gas, which traps heat and contributes to climate change and global warming.

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