Biotic and Abiotic Factors Quiz

Biotic Factors

• Refers to all living organisms and their direct or indirect effects on other living beings.
• Examples include relationships like predator-prey, disease-causing bacteria, and dead organisms impacting ecosystems.

Abiotic Factors

• Non-living components that influence ecological interactions.
• Important factors include:
  • Light availability
  • Temperature
  • Water availability
  • Soil composition and nutrient/mineral presence
  • Tidal patterns and salt levels

Population and Community

• Population: a group of individuals of the same species in a specific area at a given time.
• Community: the collective of all populations interacting in a particular area.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem

• Biodiversity: quantifies the variety of species in a specific area.
• Ecosystem: encompasses both biotic and abiotic factors in a specific environment.

Biosphere and Ecotones

• Biosphere: the global sum of all ecosystems where life exists, including land, air, and water.
• Ecotones: transitional areas between different environments, often rich in biodiversity.

Trophic Levels

• First trophic level: consists of producers (e.g., plants).
• Second trophic level: primarily herbivores.
• Omnivores and carnivores: occupy the third trophic level and above.

Pyramids in Ecology

• Pyramids illustrate community structure:
  • Pyramid of Energy: displays available energy at each trophic level.
  • Pyramid of Numbers: indicates the quantity of organisms at each level.
  • Pyramid of Biomass: represents the total mass of organisms at each trophic level.

Albedo and Nutrient Cycles

• Albedo: the percentage of light reflected by surfaces; darker surfaces have low albedo, while lighter surfaces have high albedo (e.g., the moon).
• Nutrient Cycles: essential inorganic nutrients like carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen are recycled through ecosystems continuously.

Paradigms in Ecology

• Paradigm: a set of beliefs and knowledge about ecological phenomena.
• Paradigm Shift: a significant change in perspective or way of thinking regarding ecological issues.

Sustainability and Bioindicators

• Sustainability: practices that allow for prolonged use of Earth's resources without depletion.
• Bioindicators: organisms that signal changes in habitat health, reflecting environmental conditions.

Ecology and Environment

• Ecology: the scientific study of natural environments and the interactions among organisms and their surroundings.
• Environment: the surroundings in which an organism exists, encompassing both biotic and abiotic factors.

Food Chain

• Food chain: a linear sequence showcasing how organisms are interconnected through feeding relationships.