Biology: Food Chains and Ecosystems

Study Notes

Biology

Food Chains: Linear sequences showing energy transfer. Example: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk
Food Webs: Complex interconnected networks of food chains in an ecosystem.
Trophic Levels:
- Producers (Autotrophs): Convert solar energy to chemical energy (plants).
- Primary Consumers: Herbivores (rabbits).
- Secondary Consumers: Carnivores/omnivores eating herbivores (foxes).
- Tertiary Consumers: Top predators (eagles).
Producers: Organisms making their own food (plants, algae).
Consumers:
- Herbivores: Eat only plants (deer).
- Carnivores: Eat only animals (lions).
- Omnivores: Eat both plants and animals (humans).
Sustainability: Maintaining ecological processes over time. Key concepts: biodiversity resilience, avoid resource over-exploitation, balance environment, economics, and social factors.
Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, decomposition. Key terms: ammonia, nitrate, nitrogen gas.
Water Cycle: Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, infiltration, transpiration.
Carbon Cycle: Photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, decomposition move carbon through atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and lithosphere.
Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
Cellular Respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy. Photosynthesis stores energy, respiration releases it.
Tolerance Range: Range of abiotic factors where an organism survives.
Optimal Range: Conditions where organisms thrive.
Limiting Factors: Abiotic/biotic factors restricting population growth (temperature, water).

Chemistry

Matter and Mixtures:
- Solution: Homogeneous mixture (saltwater).
- Compound: Two+ elements chemically combined (H₂O).
- Element: Pure substance of one atom type (oxygen).
- Mechanical Mixture: Heterogeneous mixture (salad).
Physical Properties: Characteristics observed without changing identity (density, color, boiling point).
Chemical Properties: Describe reactivity (flammability, reactivity with acid).
Physical Change: Changes state or appearance (melting ice).
Chemical Change: Produces new substances (rusting).
Density: Density = Mass ÷ Volume.
Unusual Water Behavior: High specific heat capacity, expands when frozen (less dense as a solid).
Metals, Non-Metals, Metalloids:
- Metals: Shiny, conductive, malleable (iron).
- Non-Metals: Dull, brittle, poor conductors (sulfur).
- Metalloids: Properties of both (silicon).
Periodic Table:
- Families: Alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, halogens, noble gases.
- Trends: Atomic size decreases across a period; reactivity varies (metals more reactive down a group).
- Atomic Number: Number of protons.
- Mass Number: Protons + Neutrons.
Bohr-Rutherford Diagrams: Showing protons, neutrons, and electron arrangement around nucleus.
Molecular vs. Ionic Compounds:
- Molecular: Nonmetals sharing electrons (H₂O).
- Ionic: Metals transferring electrons to nonmetals (NaCl).
Hydrogen Peroxide: Decomposes into water and oxygen; store in cool, dark conditions.

Physics

Law of Electric Charges: Like charges repel, opposite attract.
Static vs. Current Electricity:
- Static: Buildup of charges.
- Current: Flow of electrons in a circuit.
Charging Methods:
- Friction: Rubbing transferring electrons.
- Conduction: Direct contact transferring charge.
- Induction: Nearby charged object inducing charge.
- Grounding: Removing excess charge by connecting to Earth.
Circuits: Components (resistor, switch, battery, bulb).
- Series Circuits: One path, shared voltage.
- Parallel Circuits: Multiple paths, equal voltage.
Efficiency: (Useful energy output ÷ Total energy input) × 100%.
Electrical Power: P = IV (Power = Current × Voltage).
Cost of Energy: Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) × Time (h).

Space

Celestial Objects:
- Meteoroid: Small rock in space.
- Meteor: Burns in Earth's atmosphere.
- Meteorite: Reaches Earth's surface.
- Asteroid: Rock orbiting the Sun.
- Comet: Ice and dust, tail forms near the Sun.
Planets:
- Gas Giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
- Terrestrial: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.
Earth's Motion:
- Rotation: Earth spins (day/night).
- Revolution: Earth orbits Sun (year).
Satellites:
- Natural: Moon.
- Artificial: Communication, weather, GPS.
Other Concepts:
- Redshift: Light stretches as objects move away.
- Polaris: North Star; aligns with Earth's axis.
- Eclipses:
  - Solar Eclipse: Moon blocks Sun.
  - Lunar Eclipse: Earth blocks sunlight from Moon.

Description

Explore the intricate relationships within ecosystems through this quiz on food chains, food webs, and trophic levels. Understand the roles of producers and consumers and the importance of sustainability and the nitrogen cycle. Perfect for biology enthusiasts!