Biology Concepts: Ecosystems and Adaptations

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary distinction between autotrophs and heterotrophs?

  • Heterotrophs can photosynthesize, while autotrophs cannot.
  • Autotrophs can produce their own food, whereas heterotrophs must consume others. (correct)
  • Autotrophs are always plants, while heterotrophs can be plants or animals.
  • Autotrophs consume organic matter while heterotrophs produce it.

Which of the following correctly defines ecological succession?

  • The gradual changing of communities from one type to another over time. (correct)
  • The competition between species for limited resources in an area.
  • The ability of organisms to adapt to their environment suddenly.
  • The abrupt disappearance of species in an ecosystem.

What role do denitrifying bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?

  • They convert nitrogen gas into ammonia.
  • They help in the assimilation of nitrate by plants.
  • They fix nitrogen into a usable form for plants.
  • They release nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere. (correct)

What is the significance of the 10% Rule in an ecosystem?

<p>It states that only 10% of energy is retained at each trophic level. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between primary and secondary succession?

<p>Primary succession starts with soil formation, whereas secondary succession starts with pre-existing soil. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do denitrifying bacteria play?

<p>Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which period in human history is the cause of today's environmental problems?

<p>The Industrial Revolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the natural benefits of forest fires?

<p>Forest fires can clear out underbrush, create space for new growth, and release nutrients back into the soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a carbon sink?

<p>A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide than it releases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the carbon cycle.

<p>The carbon cycle is the continuous movement of carbon atoms between the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the phosphorus cycle.

<p>The phosphorus cycle is the movement of phosphorus atoms through rocks, soil, water, and living organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the nitrogen cycle.

<p>The nitrogen cycle is the continuous movement of nitrogen atoms through the Earth's atmosphere, soil, and living organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are biomes? Which biome is associated with a temperate climate?

<p>Biomes are large-scale ecosystems characterized by specific climate conditions and plant and animal life. The temperate deciduous forest biome is associated with a temperate climate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between latitude and longitude?

<p>Latitude measures the distance north or south of the equator, while longitude measures the distance east or west of the prime meridian.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the angle of insolation vary with latitude?

<p>The angle of insolation, or the angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth's surface, decreases as you move away from the equator towards the poles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is orographic rain / rain-shadow effect?

<p>Orographic rain occurs when moist air is forced to rise over a mountain range, causing it to cool and condense, resulting in rainfall. The leeward side of the mountain range experiences a rain shadow effect, receiving less precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a contour interval?

<p>A contour interval is the vertical difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines on a topographic map.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Calculate the carbon emissions from a burning tree using the equation: Log M= 1.25+2.66(Log D)

<p>You need to know the diameter of the tree (D) in meters to plug into the equation and calculate the carbon emissions (M).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Keeling Curve?

<p>The Keeling Curve is a graph that shows the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Keeling curve show a zig-zag pattern of carbon emissions?

<p>The zig-zag pattern in the Keeling Curve reflects seasonal variations in carbon dioxide levels, with higher concentrations during the winter months when plant respiration dominates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Calculate the speed and or time travelled by a P wave or S Wave

<p>The speed of P waves and S waves are dependent upon the density of the medium they are traveling through. The speed of these waves also influences the amount of time it takes for them to travel a certain distance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe parts of Earth's interior / surface.

<p>The Earth's interior consists of a solid inner core, a liquid outer core, a mantle, and a thin crust. The Earth's surface is characterized by continents, oceans, mountains, and other landforms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Recognize types of plate boundary (Transform / Subduction / Diversion (Rift)

<p>Transform plate boundaries occur when plates slide past each other horizontally. In subduction zones, one plate slides beneath another. Divergent plate boundaries occur when plates move apart, creating new crust.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Continental Drift? Who proposed it?

<p>Continental drift is the theory that the Earth's continents have moved over geological time. It was proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully.

Adaptation

The gradual change in the genetic makeup of a population over time, enabling organisms to better suit their environment.

Trophic Pyramid

A graphical representation showing the transfer of energy between different levels of feeding organisms in an ecosystem. It shows how energy decreases from one level to the next.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. It is the foundation of most food chains.

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Cellular Respiration

The process by which organisms break down glucose to release energy in the form of ATP, using oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide and water.

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Denitrifying Bacteria

Bacteria that convert nitrates (NO3-) in the soil into nitrogen gas (N2), releasing it back into the atmosphere.

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Anthropocene Period

The period in human history characterized by rapid population growth and industrialization, leading to increasing environmental problems. The key factors are industrial revolution (late 1700s), agricultural revolution (early 1700s) and the population booms in late 1800s and 1900s.

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Natural Benefits of Forest Fires

Beneficial ecological processes that occur naturally in forests. They clear out dead vegetation, encourage new growth, and release nutrients back into the soil.

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Carbon Sink

A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, preventing it from contributing to climate change.

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Carbon Cycle

The continuous movement of carbon between Earth's atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms. It involves processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition.

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Phosphorus Cycle

The movement of phosphorus through Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. It involves processes such as weathering of rocks, uptake by organisms, and decomposition.

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Nitrogen Cycle

The continuous movement of nitrogen between Earth's atmosphere, soil, and living organisms. It involves processes such as nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, and assimilation.

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Biomes and Temperate Climates

Large-scale ecosystems characterized by specific plant and animal communities adapted to a particular climate. "Temperate Deciduous Forest" is a biome where trees lose their leaves in the fall.

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Latitude and Longitude

Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator. Longitude measures distance east or west of the prime meridian.

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Angle of Insolation (Solar Angle)

The angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth's surface varies based on latitude. The angle is more direct at the equator, leading to higher solar energy and warmer temperatures.

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Orographic Rainfall

A process where air is forced to rise over a mountain range, causing it to cool and release moisture as rain on the windward side. The leeward side of the mountain then receives less rain, creating a rain shadow.

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Contour Interval

The vertical distance between contour lines on a topographic map, representing a change in elevation.

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Carbon Emissions from Burning Tree

The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere when a tree burns. The equation helps estimate emissions based on the tree's diameter.

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Keeling Curve

A graph that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over time. It shows a clear increase in CO2 levels since the 1950s.

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Keeling Curve Zigzag Pattern

The zig-zag pattern on the Keeling Curve is caused by seasonal variations in plant growth. Plants absorb carbon dioxide during the growing season, causing a dip in atmospheric CO2 levels. During the winter, CO2 levels increase as plants die and decay.

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Calculating Speed and Time of Seismic Waves

Seismic waves, P and S waves, travel at different speeds. You can determine travel time or distance using the formula: Distance = Velocity x Time.

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Earth's Interior/Surface

Earth's structure includes the crust (outermost layer), mantle (thick and rocky), outer core (liquid iron and nickel), and inner core (solid iron and nickel).

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Plate Boundaries

Three types of boundaries between tectonic plates: Transform Fault (plates slide past each other), Subduction (one plate slides under the other), Divergent (plates move apart).

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Continental Drift

The theory that continents have moved over millions of years, shaping the Earth's surface. Developed by Alfred Wegener.

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Study Notes

Abiotic vs Biotic Factors

  • Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., temperature, sunlight, water).
  • Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals, microorganisms).

Meniscus

  • The curved upper surface of a liquid in a container.

Food Web vs Food Chain

  • A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.
  • A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each organism feeds on the one below it.

Natural Selection

  • The process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to their offspring.

Adaptation

  • An inherited characteristic that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction in its specific environment.

Producer vs Consumer

  • Producers (autotrophs) make their own food (e.g., through photosynthesis).
  • Consumers (heterotrophs) obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Autotroph vs Heterotroph

  • Autotrophs produce their own food.
  • Heterotrophs consume other organisms for energy and nutrients.

The 10% Rule

  • Only about 10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next.

Energy Transfer in a Trophic Pyramid

  • Calculate the energy transferred by multiplying the energy at the previous level by 0.1 (10%).

Photosynthesis Formula

  • 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Cellular Respiration Formula

  • C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

Climax Community

  • A stable, mature community that undergoes little change in species composition.

Ecological Succession

  • The gradual process of change and development in an ecosystem brought about by the activities of organisms.

Primary vs Secondary Succession

  • Primary succession begins in lifeless areas (e.g., bare rock).
  • Secondary succession occurs in areas where a community has been removed but the soil remains (e.g., after a forest fire).

Pioneer Species

  • The first species to colonize a barren or disturbed area.

Nitrogen Fixation

  • The process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a usable form for plants.

Denitrifying Bacteria

  • Bacteria that convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere.

Cause of Today's Environmental Problems

  • Human industrial activity is a significant cause.

Natural Benefits of Forest Fires

  • Forest fires can promote regeneration of vegetation, clear dead material, and make way for new growth.

Carbon Sink

  • A reservoir that stores carbon, such as forests or oceans.

The Carbon Cycle

  • The process by which carbon moves through the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.

The Phosphorus Cycle

  • The movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

The Nitrogen Cycle

  • The process through which nitrogen circulates among the atmosphere, soil, water, and organisms.

Biomes

  • Major life zones characterized by specific climate conditions, vegetation, and animal life.
  • Temperate deciduous forest is an example, characterized by a temperate climate.

Latitude vs Longitude

  • Latitude measures distance north or south of the equator.
  • Longitude measures distance east or west of the prime meridian.

Angle of Insolation and Latitude

  • The angle of insolation (sun's rays) decreases with increasing latitude.

Orographic Rain/Rain-Shadow Effect

  • A weather phenomenon where moisture-laden winds are forced to rise over a mountain range, leading to precipitation on one side and aridity on the other.

Contour Interval

  • The difference in elevation between two contour lines on a map.

Calculating Carbon Emissions from Burning a Tree

  • Use the equation: Log M = -1.25 + 2.66 (Log D). (M=mass of carbon dioxide in kg, D= Diameter in meters)

The Keeling Curve

  • A graph of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration over time, showing an upward trend.

Zig-Zag Pattern of Keeling Curve

  • The zig-zag pattern in the Keeling Curve is mainly attributed to seasonal fluctuations in plant growth, absorbing CO2. Human activity is also a factor.

P-Wave and S-Wave Speed/Travel Time

  • P-waves and S-waves (earthquake waves) travel at different speeds and times, depending on the density and elasticity of the material through which they pass.

Earth's Interior and Surface Features

  • The Earth's interior includes the crust, mantle, and core.
  • The Earth's surface includes continents, oceans, and mountains.

Types of Plate Boundaries

  • Transform boundaries: Plates slide past each other.
  • Divergent boundaries: Plates move apart.
  • Convergent boundaries (subduction): Plates collide, with one sliding beneath the other.

Continental Drift

  • The theory that continents have moved over geologic time relative to each other.
  • Proposed by Alfred Wegener.

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