Podcast
Questions and Answers
What defines a biome?
What defines a biome?
- A community of different species living in the same area
- A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms (correct)
- A population of organisms that do not interbreed
- An area where all living organisms interact with their nonliving environment
Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?
Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?
- All organisms in an area interacting with the nonliving environment (correct)
- A specific type of biome characterized by a particular climate
- A group of individuals of the same species in a defined area
- Different populations that coexist in a community
Which term describes organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring?
Which term describes organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring?
- Population
- Biome
- Community
- Species (correct)
What do wetlands primarily contribute to their ecosystem?
What do wetlands primarily contribute to their ecosystem?
Which zone is characterized by depths greater than 200 meters where light does not penetrate?
Which zone is characterized by depths greater than 200 meters where light does not penetrate?
Which statement accurately describes a biome?
Which statement accurately describes a biome?
What is the primary focus of ecology as a field of study?
What is the primary focus of ecology as a field of study?
How are populations defined within a biological context?
How are populations defined within a biological context?
Which characteristic describes estuaries in freshwater ecosystems?
Which characteristic describes estuaries in freshwater ecosystems?
What does the term 'photic zone' refer to in aquatic ecosystems?
What does the term 'photic zone' refer to in aquatic ecosystems?
What distinguishes wetlands from other ecosystems?
What distinguishes wetlands from other ecosystems?
Flashcards
Biome
Biome
A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms.
Ecosystem
Ecosystem
All the organisms that live in one place, living with their nonliving environment.
Community
Community
Populations that live in the same area that interact to form communities.
Population
Population
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Ecology
Ecology
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What is a species?
What is a species?
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What is a population?
What is a population?
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What is an ecosystem?
What is an ecosystem?
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What are wetlands?
What are wetlands?
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What are estuaries?
What are estuaries?
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What is the photic zone?
What is the photic zone?
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Study Notes
Vocabulary
- Biome: A group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms.
- Ecosystem: All the organisms living in a place, along with their non-living environment.
- Community: Populations of different species interacting in the same area.
- Population: Groups of individuals of the same species residing in the same area.
- Species: Organisms that look alike and can breed with each other.
- Biotic: Living organisms.
- Abiotic: Non-living organisms.
- Ecology: The study of interactions between organisms, populations, and communities, as well as those between living systems and their local and global environments.
Freshwater Ecosystems
- Freshwater ecosystems: These include areas with less than 3% salinity, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds.
- Rivers and streams: Water flows in one direction.
- Lakes and ponds: Relatively still water.
Wetlands
- Wetlands: Areas where grasses grow in spongy soil, often drying up by late summer. Water soaks the soil or rests beneath the surface.
Estuaries
- Estuaries: A breeding ground for fish; a place where saltwater and freshwater meet.
Aquatic Ecosystems
- Aquatic ecosystems: These ecosystems are described by their salinity, depth, temperature, flow rate, and concentrations of dissolved nutrients.
Additional Concepts
- Photic zones: Areas in aquatic environments where sunlight penetrates, allowing photosynthesis. Depth is less than 200 meters.
- Aphotic zones: Areas of aquatic environments that do not receive sunlight, typically deeper than 200 meters.
- Permafrost: Permanently frozen soil in tundra regions.
- Anthromes: Biological regions shaped by human activity over long periods.
- Climate: Patterns and averages of temperature and precipitation over many years.
- Weather: Short-term conditions of temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric phenomena.
- Greenhouse effect: The process where certain gases trap sunlight energy in Earth's atmosphere, leading to warming.
- Greenhouse gases: Gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
- Global climate system: Energy in the biosphere results in unequal distribution between equators and poles. Overall, heat is distributed and affects climate.
- Ocean currents: Patterns of warming and cooling driven by winds and continents, impacting regional climates.
Characteristics of Life
- Cellular organization: All living things are composed of cells.
- Ability to reproduce: Organisms can create offspring.
- Growth and development: Living things grow and change.
- Energy use: Living things need energy for life processes.
- Homeostasis: Ability to maintain stable internal conditions.
- Response to environment: Ability to adapt to surroundings.
- Ability to adapt: Living things adapt to changing conditions.
- Sunlight and greenhouse gases: The source of energy of the heat greenhouse gases absorb. Solar radiation causes unequal distributions of heat. Greenhouse gases trap heat from sunlight in Earth's atmosphere, and re-radiate it back to Earth, increasing the average temperature.
Climate and Oceans
- Ocean Currents are driven by temperature, warming, and cooling; winds, and locations of continents.
- Variations in climate occur approximately every 100,000 years, but do not impact climate change.
- 30°C = 86°F
Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems
- Biomes are categories that describe environments with similar biotic and abiotic factors (average monthly temperatures and precipitation).
- Phytoplankton need light to survive.
- Rivers and streams, lakes and ponds, and freshwater wetlands are three categories of freshwater ecosystems.
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