Podcast
Questions and Answers
The autotrophic organisms in an ecosystem are primarily ______
The autotrophic organisms in an ecosystem are primarily ______
green plants
Phagotrophs are also known as ______
Phagotrophs are also known as ______
animals
Saprotrophs obtain their energy by breaking down ______ tissues
Saprotrophs obtain their energy by breaking down ______ tissues
dead
The ultimate energy source for the ecosphere is the ______
The ultimate energy source for the ecosphere is the ______
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The autotrophic stratum is also known as the '______ belt'
The autotrophic stratum is also known as the '______ belt'
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The heterotrophic stratum is also known as the '______ belt'
The heterotrophic stratum is also known as the '______ belt'
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Producer organisms in a pond are rooted or large floating plants known as __________
Producer organisms in a pond are rooted or large floating plants known as __________
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Minute floating plants in a pond, usually algae or green bacteria or protozoa, are referred to as __________
Minute floating plants in a pond, usually algae or green bacteria or protozoa, are referred to as __________
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Herbivores, which are primary macroconsumers, feed directly on living __________
Herbivores, which are primary macroconsumers, feed directly on living __________
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Detritivores live on organic detritus from autotrophic layers above and provide food for __________
Detritivores live on organic detritus from autotrophic layers above and provide food for __________
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The two types of microconsumers in a pond are zooplankton and __________
The two types of microconsumers in a pond are zooplankton and __________
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Population is a group of individuals of the same species occupying a common __________
Population is a group of individuals of the same species occupying a common __________
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Rich countries known as highly developed are Norway, Switzerland, Qatar, USA, Canada, and ______.
Rich countries known as highly developed are Norway, Switzerland, Qatar, USA, Canada, and ______.
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Highly developed countries have low rates of population growth and high per person ______.
Highly developed countries have low rates of population growth and high per person ______.
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Poor countries are categorized as moderately developed and less developed with very high infant mortality rates and very low per person ______.
Poor countries are categorized as moderately developed and less developed with very high infant mortality rates and very low per person ______.
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In developing countries, rapid population growth tends to overwhelm and deplete a country's ______, forests, and other natural resources.
In developing countries, rapid population growth tends to overwhelm and deplete a country's ______, forests, and other natural resources.
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Rich countries in highly developed nations deplete resources and degrade the global environment through increased consumption of nonessential items such as televisions, jet skis, and ______.
Rich countries in highly developed nations deplete resources and degrade the global environment through increased consumption of nonessential items such as televisions, jet skis, and ______.
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Rapid population growth can cause renewable resources to be ______.
Rapid population growth can cause renewable resources to be ______.
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The desert biome is characterized by a lack of precipitation which limits plant growth; deserts are found in both temperate and tropical regions. The Flora in a desert biome includes ________.
The desert biome is characterized by a lack of precipitation which limits plant growth; deserts are found in both temperate and tropical regions. The Flora in a desert biome includes ________.
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In aquatic ecosystems, the most fundamental division is between freshwater and saltwater environments. One of the factors affecting the distribution of organisms in aquatic ecosystems is ________.
In aquatic ecosystems, the most fundamental division is between freshwater and saltwater environments. One of the factors affecting the distribution of organisms in aquatic ecosystems is ________.
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Plankton are usually small or microscopic organisms that belong to the ecological category of ________.
Plankton are usually small or microscopic organisms that belong to the ecological category of ________.
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Nekton are larger, more strongly swimming organisms such as fishes, turtles, and whales, falling under the ecological category of ________.
Nekton are larger, more strongly swimming organisms such as fishes, turtles, and whales, falling under the ecological category of ________.
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Benthos are bottom-dwelling organisms that fix themselves to one spot, forming an integral part of the ecosystem in ________ environments.
Benthos are bottom-dwelling organisms that fix themselves to one spot, forming an integral part of the ecosystem in ________ environments.
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A lake is a standing-water ecosystem surrounded by land, and it is home to various organisms belonging to the ecological categories of Plankton, Nekton, and ________.
A lake is a standing-water ecosystem surrounded by land, and it is home to various organisms belonging to the ecological categories of Plankton, Nekton, and ________.
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______ swamps are inland areas covered by water and dominated by trees, such as baldcypress
______ swamps are inland areas covered by water and dominated by trees, such as baldcypress
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Mangrove forests, the tropical equivalent of salt marshes, cover perhaps 70% of tropical ______
Mangrove forests, the tropical equivalent of salt marshes, cover perhaps 70% of tropical ______
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The ocean floor, which extends from the intertidal zone to the deep ocean trenches, has three zones in the deeper benthic (from shallowest to deepest): the bathyal, abyssal, and ______ zones.
The ocean floor, which extends from the intertidal zone to the deep ocean trenches, has three zones in the deeper benthic (from shallowest to deepest): the bathyal, abyssal, and ______ zones.
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Corals are small, soft-bodied animals similar to jellyfish and sea anemones. ______ reefs are found in warm, shallow seawater.
Corals are small, soft-bodied animals similar to jellyfish and sea anemones. ______ reefs are found in warm, shallow seawater.
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Sea grasses are flowering plants adapted to complete submersion in salty ocean water. Most organisms of the deep waters of the oceanic province depend on marine ______.
Sea grasses are flowering plants adapted to complete submersion in salty ocean water. Most organisms of the deep waters of the oceanic province depend on marine ______.
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Study Notes
Producers in a Pond
- Macrophytes: large floating plants or rooted plants growing in shallow water
- Phytoplankton: minute floating plants, algae, green bacteria, or protozoa distributed throughout the pond as deep as light penetrates
Consumer Organisms
- Herbivores (primary macroconsumers): feed directly on living plants
- Carnivores: feed on other organisms
- Detritivores: live on organic detritus from autotrophic layers above, providing food for carnivores
- Microconsumers:
- Zooplankton: animal plankton
- Benthos: bottom forms
- Nekton: free-swimming aquatic organisms
Components of an Ecosystem
- Organic substances involved in material cycles (e.g., C, N, CO2, H2O)
- Organic compounds linking biotic and abiotic components (e.g., Protein, carbohydrates, lipids, humic substances)
- Air, water, and substrate environment, including climate regime and physical factors
- Producers (autotrophic organisms): manufacture food from simple inorganic substances
- Phagotrophs (heterotrophic organisms): ingest other organisms or particulate organic matter
- Saprotrophs (decomposers): break down dead tissues
Attributes of a Natural Ecosystem
- Biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) components interact and are inseparable
- Ecological system: biotic community in a given area
- Energy is a necessary input, with the sun as the ultimate energy source
- Energy is the ability to do work
Trophic Structure of the Ecosystem
- Autotrophic stratum (upper): fixation of light energy, utilization of simple organic substances, and buildup of complex substances
- Heterotrophic stratum (lower): utilization, rearrangement, and decomposition of complex materials
Developed Countries
- Examples: Norway, Switzerland, Qatar, USA, Canada, and Japan
- Characteristics: complex industrialized bases, low population growth rates, and high per capita incomes
Poor Countries
- Characteristics: high infant mortality rates and low per capita incomes
- Examples: Philippines, Bangladesh, Haiti, and Laos
Population, Resources, and the Environment
- Rapid population growth can overwhelm and deplete a country's natural resources
- Highly developed nations deplete resources and degrade the global environment
- Nonrenewable resources (e.g., minerals, fossil fuels) are depleted as they are used
- Renewable resources (e.g., water, soil) can be used forever but may be overexploited due to rapid population growth
Biome Examples
Desert
- Flora: sagebrush
- Fauna: tarantulas, scorpions, frogs, toads, desert tortoise, Gila monster, and Mojave rattlesnake
Aquatic Ecosystems
- Freshwater ecosystems: lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and swamps
- Saltwater ecosystems: estuaries, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and oceanic province
- Factors affecting distribution of organisms: salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrient minerals
Ecological Categories of Organisms
- Plankton: small or microscopic organisms
- Nekton: larger, more strongly swimming organisms (e.g., fishes, turtles, whales)
- Benthos: bottom-dwelling organisms that fix themselves to one spot
Aquatic Environments
- Lakes: standing-water ecosystems surrounded by land
- Freshwater swamps: inland areas covered by water, dominated by trees (e.g., baldcypress)
- Brackish Ecosystems:
- Estuaries: coastal bodies of water, partly surrounded by land, with salt marshes
- Mangrove forests: tropical equivalent of salt marshes, covering perhaps 70% of tropical coastlines
- The Benthic Environment:
- Bathyal zone
- Abyssal zone
- Hadal zone
- Coral reefs: found in warm, shallow seawater
- Sea grasses: flowering plants adapted to complete submersion in salty ocean water
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Description
Test your knowledge on different biomes, their unique flora and fauna, and the factors affecting the distribution of organisms. Explore ecosystems such as deserts, aquatic environments, and more.
