Environment and Ecosystem Overview
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements is true about the 10% Law of Energy?

  • 90% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, the remaining 10% is lost to the environment.
  • 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, the remaining 90% is lost to the environment. (correct)
  • 90% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, the remaining 10% is used for metabolic processes by the organism at the previous level.
  • 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, the remaining 90% is used for metabolic processes by the organism at the previous level.

    • Which of the following is an example of an abiotic component of an ecosystem?

  • A tree
  • A fish
  • Sunlight (correct)
  • A bird

    • What is the main reason for the limited length of food chains?

  • Increasing availability of predators at higher trophic levels.
  • Increasing competition among organisms at higher trophic levels.
  • Decreasing availability of energy at higher trophic levels. (correct)
  • Decreasing availability of food at higher trophic levels.

    • Which of the following are considered producers in an ecosystem?

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

    Which of the following is NOT a method of waste management aimed at reducing environmental impact?

    <p>Incineration (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for biomagnification occurring in food chains?

    <p>Accumulation of toxins in organisms at lower trophic levels (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A garden would best be classified as which type of ecosystem?

    <p>Artificial (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these waste materials is classified as biodegradable?

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

    Which of the following is NOT an example of a terrestrial ecosystem?

    <p>Ocean (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the ozone layer in the atmosphere?

    <p>Filtering out harmful UV radiation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

    <p>They break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The relationship between a cat and a mouse in a food chain represents which trophic levels?

    <p>Trophic level 2 and 3 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a consequence of ozone layer depletion?

    <p>Increased skin cancer rates (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for the thinning of the ozone layer?

    <p>Release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT considered a sustainable waste management practice?

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

    Which international agreement focused on phasing out ozone-depleting substances?

    <p>Montreal Protocol (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Environment

    Everything surrounding us, including living and non-living things.

    Ecosystem

    A community where living and non-living components are interconnected.

    Natural Ecosystem

    Ecosystems that occur naturally, like forests and oceans.

    Biotic Components

    Living organisms in an ecosystem, including plants and animals.

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    Producers

    Organisms that manufacture their own food, like plants.

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    Trophic Levels

    The position of an organism in a food chain indicating its feeding level.

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    Food Chain

    A linear sequence illustrating feeding relationships between organisms.

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    10% Law of Energy

    Only 10% of energy transfers from one trophic level to the next.

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    Biomagnification

    Increase in toxic substance concentration at higher trophic levels through consumption.

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    Bioaccumulation

    Accumulation of toxic substances within an organism over time.

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    Biodegradable Waste

    Waste that microorganisms can break down into simpler substances.

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    Non-biodegradable Waste

    Waste that cannot be broken down by microorganisms.

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    Composting

    Decomposing biodegradable waste to create nutrient-rich fertilizer.

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    Ozone Layer

    Layer of ozone (O3) in the atmosphere that absorbs UV radiation.

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    Ozone Depletion

    Thinning of the ozone layer mainly due to CFCs.

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    Montreal Protocol

    International agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

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    Study Notes

    Environment and Ecosystem

    • Environment encompasses all living and non-living things surrounding us.
    • An ecosystem is a community where living and non-living components interact and depend on each other.
    • Examples of ecosystems are forests, lakes, and oceans.
    • Ecosystems are categorized as:
      • Natural ecosystems: Naturally occurring, like forests, lakes, and oceans.
      • Artificial ecosystems: Created by humans, examples include gardens and aquariums.
    • Natural ecosystems are further divided into:
      • Aquatic ecosystems: Water-based, such as marine and freshwater ecosystems.
      • Terrestrial ecosystems: Land-based, including forests, deserts, and grasslands

    Components of an Ecosystem

    • Biotic components: Living parts of an ecosystem, encompassing plants and animals.
    • Abiotic components: Non-living parts of an ecosystem, involving air, water, soil, sunlight, and minerals.
    • Biotic components are categorized as follows:
      • Producers: Organisms that create their food, like plants.
      • Consumers: Organisms that rely on other organisms for food. Consumers are classified as:
        • Primary consumers (herbivores): Consume producers, for example, rats.
        • Secondary consumers (carnivores): Consume primary consumers, like cats.
        • Tertiary consumers (carnivores): Consume secondary consumers, such as tigers.
      • Decomposers: Bacteria and fungi that break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.

    Food Chain and Food Web

    • Food Chain: A linear sequence describing feeding relationships, showing who eats whom.
    • Food Web: A complex network of interconnected food chains, illustrating diverse feeding relationships.
    • Trophic levels: An organism's position in a food chain, representing its feeding level:
      • Trophic level 1: Producers (plants)
      • Trophic level 2: Primary consumers (herbivores)
      • Trophic level 3: Secondary consumers (carnivores)
      • Trophic level 4: Tertiary consumers (top carnivores).

    10% Law of Energy

    • Only 10% of energy transfers from one trophic level to the next. The remaining 90% is lost as heat or used in life processes.
    • This limits food chains to typically three or four trophic levels due to dwindling energy.

    Biomagnification and Bioaccumulation

    • Biomagnification: Toxic chemicals concentrate in higher trophic levels as organisms consume others with accumulated toxins.
    • Examples: Mercury builds up in fish, potentially impacting humans.

    Garbage Disposal and Management

    • Garbage types:
      • Biodegradable waste: Breaks down through microorganisms, like vegetable scraps.
      • Non-biodegradable waste: Doesn't break down by microorganisms, such as plastic.
    • Waste management methods include:
      • Biogas plants: Convert biodegradable waste into biogas.
      • Sewage treatment: Cleans wastewater.
      • Landfilling: Buries non-biodegradable waste.
      • Composting: Decomposes biodegradable waste into fertilizer.
      • Recycling and reuse: Reprocesses or reuses materials.
      • Incineration: Burns waste at high temperatures to reduce volume and sterilize hazardous materials.

    Ozone Layer Depletion

    • Ozone (O3): Atmospheric layer absorbing harmful UV radiation.
    • Ozone depletion: Thinning of the ozone layer due to harmful chemical releases, mainly CFCs.
    • CFCs: Released from refrigerants, air conditioners, and industrial processes.
    • CFC breakdown in the stratosphere releases chlorine atoms, reacting with and destroying ozone molecules.
    • Consequences of depletion: Increased UV radiation, increasing health concerns such as skin cancer and cataracts.
    • UNEP: Works on international agreements, like the Montreal Protocol, to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

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    Description

    Explore the fundamental concepts of environment and ecosystems. Learn about the types, components, and interdependencies of ecosystems, including natural and artificial systems. This quiz will test your knowledge of biotic and abiotic components and various ecosystem classifications.

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