Earth's Spheres and Ecosystems Overview
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Questions and Answers

Which sphere of the Earth is composed of the solid outer layer including the crust and upper mantle?

  • Hydrosphere
  • Lithosphere (correct)
  • Atmosphere
  • Biosphere

    • The biosphere includes only the living organisms on Earth.

    False (B)

    What are the two main types of factors that make up an ecosystem?

    Biotic and abiotic factors

    Coral reefs are primarily made up of tiny individual corals called _______.

    <p>polyps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their correct definitions:

    <p>Organism = An individual animal or plant Population = All members of the same species in an area Community = Different populations living in the same area Ecosystem = Living organisms and their nonliving environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a biotic factor?

    <p>Plants (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Natural ecosystems are always large in size.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major threats are faced by coral reefs?

    <p>Pollution, overfishing, and climate change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of energy for almost all organisms on Earth?

    <p>Solar energy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Photosynthesis produces carbon dioxide as one of its products.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the reactants of photosynthesis?

    <p>Carbon dioxide and water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The complementary process to photosynthesis that releases energy is called __________.

    <p>cellular respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Ecological niche = The function a species serves in its ecosystem Photosynthesis = Process that converts solar energy into chemical energy Cellular respiration = Process that releases energy from glucose Sustainability = The ability to maintain health and prosperity for future generations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What lesson does 'The Lorax' convey about ecosystems?

    <p>Taking care of the land is essential for sustainability. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Converting radiant energy into thermal energy accounts for nearly 70% of the energy absorbed by the Earth’s surface.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are ecological niches important for ecosystems?

    <p>They define the role a species plays, including its interactions, which helps maintain balance in the ecosystem.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of consumer eats both producers and consumers?

    <p>Omnivore (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A food web consists of a single linear path of energy transfer.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is biomass?

    <p>The total mass of all living organisms in a given area.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Decomposers feed on __________ organisms.

    <p>dead decaying</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following cycles involves the conversion of nitrogen gas into forms usable by living organisms?

    <p>Nitrogen cycle (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of ecological pyramids with their descriptions:

    <p>Energy Pyramid = Represents the flow of energy in an ecosystem Biomass Pyramid = Shows the total mass of organisms at each trophic level Numbers Pyramid = Displays the number of organisms at each trophic level</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do scavengers play in an ecosystem?

    <p>Scavengers eat dead remains of organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Photosynthesis plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle by allowing plants to absorb carbon dioxide.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is considered a biotic factor that can limit the size of a population?

    <p>Availability of food (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Abiotic factors only refer to non-living components of an ecosystem.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the range in which a species can survive based on environmental factors?

    <p>tolerance range</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another is known as __________.

    <p>parasitism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of species interactions with their definitions:

    <p>Competition = Organisms compete for resources like food and mates Mutualism = Both organisms benefit from the relationship Commensalism = One organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed Predation = One organism kills and consumes another organism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is carrying capacity?

    <p>The maximum number of individuals an environment can support (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Human activities can act as limiting factors in ecosystems.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one reason why there are limits on fishing and hunting.

    <p>To maintain sustainability and avoid over-exploitation of species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Earth's Spheres

    • Earth has four main spheres: lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
    • Lithosphere: The solid outer layer of Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
    • Atmosphere: The layer of air surrounding Earth, regulating temperature and protecting from radiation.
    • Hydrosphere: All of Earth's water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and ice.
    • Biosphere: The realm of all living things on Earth.
    • These spheres are interconnected and rely on each other for survival.

    Ecosystems

    • An ecosystem is all living organisms in a region interacting with each other and their non-living environment.
    • Biotic factors: Living things, their remains, products, and wastes (e.g., animals, plants, nests).
    • Abiotic factors: Non-living things (e.g., temperature, wind, water, air, minerals).
    • Ecosystems contain different levels of organization:
      • Organism: Individual living thing
      • Population: All members of the same species in an area
      • Community: All populations in an area
      • Ecosystem: All living and non-living things in an area

    Ecological Niches

    • An ecological niche is the function a species serves in its ecosystem, including what it eats, what eats it, and how it behaves.
    • Each species occupies a unique niche.
    • Common consumer types and examples include:
      • Herbivore: Eats only producers (e.g., plants)
      • Carnivore: Eats only consumers (e.g., animals)
      • Omnivore: Eats both producers and consumers
      • Scavenger: Eats dead remains (e.g., vultures)
      • Decomposer: Feeds on dead decaying organisms (e.g., fungi)

    Food Chains and Webs

    • Food chain: A sequence of organisms, each feeding on the next, showing energy transfer.
    • Food web: A representation of feeding relationships within a community (a more complex depiction than a food chain).
    • Trophic level: The feeding level of an organism in a food chain or web.

    Ecological Pyramids

    • Biomass pyramids: Show total mass of organisms at each trophic level.
    • Types of pyramids also include Energy and Numbers pyramids.

    Biogeochemical Cycles (Carbon and Nitrogen)

    • Carbon cycle: Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants through photosynthesis, then to animals through consumption, and returns to the atmosphere after an organism dies. Decomposers play a significant role.
    • Nitrogen cycle: After plants absorb nitrogen, it moves through the food chain. After organisms die, decomposers release nitrogen into the environment.

    Limiting Factors

    • Limiting factors are factors that restrict population size.
    • These can be biotic (e.g., food availability) or abiotic (e.g., water availability).
    • Limiting factors affect the tolerance range of a species—the upper and lower limits of their survival and reproduction.

    Species Interactions

    • Competition: Organisms vying for limited resources
    • Parasitism: One organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another (host).
    • Commensalism: One organism benefits, while the other is neither harmed nor helped.
    • Mutualism: Both organisms benefit.
    • Predation: One organism (predator) kills and eats another (prey).

    Carrying Capacity

    • Carrying capacity is the maximum population size an environment can support.
    • Sustainability is linked to carrying capacity as exceeding carrying capacity can harm the environment and the organisms within.

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    Chapter 2 Review of Topics SNC 1W1 PDF

    Description

    Explore the four main spheres of Earth: lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, and learn how they interact within ecosystems. This quiz covers the definition of ecosystems and the key biotic and abiotic factors that influence them. Understand the levels of organization within ecosystems, from organisms to populations.

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