Biology Chapter 3 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is Ecology?

Study of terrestrial ecosystems

Study of the water cycle

Study of the atmosphere

Scientific study of interactions among organisms (correct)

What is the Biosphere?

Combined portions of the planet in which all life exists (land, water, air, and atmosphere)

What are the levels of the biosphere?

Biosphere, biome, ecosystem, community, population, individual

What do ecologists study?

The entire biosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is a Species?

A group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring Signup and view all the answers

What are populations?

Groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area Signup and view all the answers

What are communities?

Assemblages of different populations that live together in a defined area Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecosystem?

Collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place Signup and view all the answers

What is a biome?

Group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 basic approaches scientists use to conduct modern ecological research?

Observing, experimenting, and modeling Signup and view all the answers

Explain observing in ecology.

First step. Example: what species live here? How many individuals of species are there? Signup and view all the answers

Explain experimenting in ecology.

Used to test hypotheses. Set up to imitate and manipulate conditions that organisms would encounter in the natural world Signup and view all the answers

Explain modeling in ecology.

Used to gain insight into complex phenomena such as the effects of global warming on ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main source of energy for life on Earth?

Sunlight Signup and view all the answers

What percent of sunlight is used for energy by living things?

Less than 1% Signup and view all the answers

If an organism doesn't depend on sunlight, what else can it use for energy?

Energy stored in inorganic compounds Signup and view all the answers

What are autotrophs?

Organisms that use energy from the environment to fuel the assembly of simple inorganic compounds into complex organic molecules Signup and view all the answers

What are producers?

Another term for autotroph Signup and view all the answers

What is photosynthesis?

When autotrophs use light energy to power chemical reactions that convert CO2 and H2O into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches Signup and view all the answers

What is Chemosynthesis?

When organisms use energy stored in chemical bonds Signup and view all the answers

What are heterotrophs?

Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply Signup and view all the answers

What are consumers?

Another term for heterotroph Signup and view all the answers

What are herbivores?

Organisms that only eat plants Signup and view all the answers

What are carnivores?

Organisms that eat animals Signup and view all the answers

What are omnivores?

Organisms that eat plants and animals Signup and view all the answers

What are detritivores?

Organisms that feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter Signup and view all the answers

What are decomposers?

Organisms that break down organic matter Signup and view all the answers

Explain how energy flows in an ecosystem.

One direction: from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs (producers) and then to various heterotrophs (consumers) Signup and view all the answers

What is a food chain?

Series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten Signup and view all the answers

What is a food web?

Feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem form complex interactions Signup and view all the answers

What is a trophic level?

Each step in a food chain or food web Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecological pyramid?

Diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food chain or food web Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 different types of ecological pyramids?

Energy, biomass, and number pyramids Signup and view all the answers

What is an energy pyramid?

Shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level. Organisms use 10% Signup and view all the answers

What is a biomass pyramid?

Shows the amount of living organic matter at each trophic level. Greatest biomass at the bottom of the pyramid. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pyramid of numbers?

Shows the relative number of individual organisms at each trophic level Signup and view all the answers

Explain recycling in the biosphere.

Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems (unlike energy transfer) Signup and view all the answers

What are biogeochemical cycles?

Elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another Signup and view all the answers

Explain the water cycle.

Evaporation -> condensation -> precipitation -> runoff -> seepage -> root uptake Signup and view all the answers

What is evaporation?

Process by which water changes from liquid form to an atmospheric gas Signup and view all the answers

What is transpiration?

Process by which water enters the atmosphere by evaporating from the leaves of plants Signup and view all the answers

What are nutrients?

All the chemical substances that an organism needs to sustain life Signup and view all the answers

Why do all living things need nutrients?

To build tissues and carry out essential life functions Signup and view all the answers

What types of processes move carbon through its cycle?

Biological, geochemical, mixed biogeochemical, and human processes Signup and view all the answers

What are types of biological processes?

Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition Signup and view all the answers

What are types of geochemical processes?

Erosion, volcanic activity Signup and view all the answers

What are types of mixed biogeochemical processes?

Burial and decomposition of dead organisms Signup and view all the answers

What are types of human activities that affect the carbon cycle?

Mining, cutting, burning forests Signup and view all the answers

What is nitrogen fixation?

On the roots of plants called legumes, converts nitrogen gas into ammonia Signup and view all the answers

What are nitrates and nitrites?

Nitrate: NO3-, nitrites: NO2- Signup and view all the answers

What is denitrification?

Soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas Signup and view all the answers

Why is phosphorus important?

Forms parts of RNA and DNA Signup and view all the answers

What is primary productivity?

Rate at which organic matter is created by producers Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that controls primary productivity?

The amount of available nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What 3 ingredients do fertilizers usually contain?

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium Signup and view all the answers

What is usually the limiting nutrient?

Nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is an algal bloom?

Runoff of heavily fertilized fields into oceans increases the amount of algae Signup and view all the answers

What is eutrophication?

Nutrient pollution (water pollution caused by excessive plant nutrients) Signup and view all the answers

What are denitrifying bacteria?

Form a necessary part of the process known as denitrification Signup and view all the answers

What are the 5 abiotic factors?

Water, air, soil, heat, and light Signup and view all the answers

What is a niche?

Unique role an organism plays in an environment Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 parts of the biosphere?

Lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What does interdependent mean?

Depend on other organisms Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecology and the Biosphere

Ecology: The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.
Biosphere: Encompasses all portions of Earth where life exists, including land, water, air, and the atmosphere.
Levels of the Biosphere: Biosphere, biome, ecosystem, community, population, individual.

Ecologists and Ecosystem Components

Ecologists: Study the entire biosphere, focusing on interactions and relationships.
Species: Groups of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.
Populations: Groups of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.
Communities: Assemblages of different populations in a defined area.
Ecosystem: The interaction of organisms in a particular environment.

Approaches in Ecological Research

Observing: Initial method involving counting and identifying species within an area.
Experimenting: Testing hypotheses in controlled conditions to mimic natural environments.
Modeling: Using simulations to understand complex phenomena like global warming effects.

Energy Flow and Trophic Levels

Primary Energy Source: Sunlight, utilized by living organisms.
Energy Use: Less than 1% of available sunlight is used for energy by living beings.
Alternative Energy Sources: Organisms may rely on stored energy in inorganic compounds.
Autotrophs/Producers: Use environmental energy to produce complex organic molecules.
Heterotrophs/Consumers: Rely on other organisms for energy and food, divided into herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Food Chains and Webs

Food Chain: A series of steps showing how energy is transferred through organisms.
Food Web: A complex network of feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
Trophic Level: Each step in a food chain or web outlining energy flow.

Ecological Pyramids

Ecological Pyramid: Diagram representing energy or matter at each trophic level.
Types of Pyramids: Energy pyramids show energy amounts, biomass pyramids show living organic matter, and pyramids of numbers display individual organisms.
Energy Pyramid: Illustrates that 10% of energy is available at each level.

Matter Cycling in Ecosystems

Recycling in the Biosphere: Matter is recycled between ecosystems, unlike energy which flows one way.
Biogeochemical Cycles: Movement of elements and compounds through organisms and the biosphere.

Water Cycle

Processes: Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, seepage, root uptake.
Transpiration: Water vapor released from plant leaves into the atmosphere.

Nutrient Importance and Cycles

Nutrients: Chemical substances essential for life; required for building tissues and carrying out life's functions.
Carbon Cycle: Movement driven by biological, geochemical, mixed biogeochemical, and human processes affecting carbon availability.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles

Nitrogen Fixation: Conversion of nitrogen gas into ammonia by root-nodulating bacteria.
Denitrification: Soil bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas.
Phosphorus: Integral to RNA and DNA structure, with no gaseous phase in its cycle.

Primary Productivity

Definition: The rate at which organic matter is created by producers.
Limiting Nutrient: Nitrogen often serves as the limiting nutrient controlling productivity.

Environmental Factors

Abiotic Factors: Water, air, soil, heat, and light are essential non-living elements that affect ecosystems.
Niche: The specific role an organism plays within its environment, including its interactions with other species.

Parts of the Biosphere

Components: Lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air).
Interdependence: All organisms within the biosphere depend on one another for survival and function.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms and concepts from Biology Chapter 3. This quiz covers essential terms like ecology and biosphere, as well as the levels of the biosphere. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the interactions among organisms and their environments.