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Questions and Answers
What is the term for the process of energy being transferred from one trophic level to another in an ecosystem?
Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
What is the term for the change in the inherited characteristics of a population of organisms over time?
Which of the following ecosystems would you find in a saltwater environment?
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What is the process by which nutrients are used and reused by different organisms in an ecosystem?
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What is the term for the breakdown of organic matter into simpler substances?
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What is the term for a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring?
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What is the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce?
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What is the term for the study of similarities and differences in the structure of organisms?
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What is the term for a random change in the frequency of a gene or trait in a population?
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What is the term for the movement of genes from one population to another?
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Study Notes
Ecosystems
Definition
An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components (biotic and abiotic factors) that interact with each other in a specific environment.
Components of an Ecosystem
- Biotic factors: living organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms
- Abiotic factors: non-living components, such as light, temperature, water, soil, and air
Types of Ecosystems
- Terrestrial ecosystems: land-based ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts
- Freshwater ecosystems: ecosystems found in freshwater environments, such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands
- Marine ecosystems: ecosystems found in saltwater environments, such as oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries
Ecosystem Processes
- Energy flow: energy is transferred from one trophic level to another through food chains and food webs
- Nutrient cycling: the process of nutrients being used and reused by different organisms in an ecosystem
- Decomposition: the breakdown of organic matter into simpler substances
Evolution
Definition
Evolution is the change in the inherited characteristics of a population of organisms over time through the process of natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
Key Concepts
- Species: a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
- Adaptation: the process of an organism becoming better suited to its environment
- Variation: the differences in characteristics between individuals in a population
Mechanisms of Evolution
- Natural selection: the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce
- Genetic drift: the random change in the frequency of a gene or trait in a population
- Mutation: a change in the DNA sequence of an organism
- Gene flow: the movement of genes from one population to another
Evidence for Evolution
- Fossil record: the chronological record of fossils showing the history of life on Earth
- Comparative anatomy: the study of similarities and differences in the structure of organisms
- Molecular biology: the study of DNA and protein sequences showing similarities and differences between organisms
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Description
Test your understanding of ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic factors, types of ecosystems, and ecosystem processes. Also, explore the fundamentals of evolution, including mechanisms, evidence, and key concepts.
