10 Questions
What is the primary role of ecosystems such as oceans, rivers, and lakes?
To provide food and wealth to sustain livelihoods
Which of the following is an example of a producer in an ecosystem?
Ceratophyllum demersum (Coontail)
What is the primary function of decomposers in an ecosystem?
To break down dead organic matter
Which of the following abiotic factors affects the distribution of aquatic lifeforms?
All of the above
What is the primary reason fish engage in gasping behavior?
To obtain more oxygen from the water
What is the effect of high water temperature on aquatic lifeforms?
Reduced activity and metabolism
Which of the following aquatic lifeforms is an example of a consumer?
Fish
What is the primary function of nutrients in an ecosystem?
To support the growth of aquatic lifeforms
Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor in an ecosystem?
Fish
What is the primary role of pH in an ecosystem?
To determine the distribution of aquatic lifeforms
Study Notes
Water: The Essential Component of Life
- Water covers three-quarters of the Earth's surface, existing in three physical states: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor).
- Water is essential for life on Earth, being a critical component of all biological processes.
- The unique chemistry of the water molecule allows it to exist in all three physical states.
Water Chemistry
- Water molecules consist of two hydrogen and one oxygen atom, which creates an asymmetry in the molecular structure.
- This asymmetry leads to strong bonds between water and other polar molecules.
- Cohesion, the ability of water molecules to stick together, helps plants take up water at their roots and contributes to water's high boiling point.
- Water is an excellent solvent, capable of dissolving a wide variety of molecules, earning it the term "universal solvent."
Importance of Water in Life
- Water plays a crucial role in cell transport and use of substances like oxygen, nutrients, and drugs.
- Water helps maintain cell shape by creating pressure in the cell.
- It also contributes to the formation of cell membranes.
The Hydrologic Cycle
- The hydrologic cycle is a natural system where water is constantly recycled through the atmosphere, rivers, and oceans.
- Water is an essential, renewable resource that occurs naturally on Earth.
Aquatic Ecosystems
- Aquatic ecosystems can be divided into two main categories: marine and freshwater ecosystems.
- Freshwater ecosystems can be further divided into:
- Aquifers and springs (groundwater)
- Rivers and streams
- Lakes and ponds
- Wetlands
- Lagoons and estuaries
- Aquatic ecosystems support aquatic plant growth, provide habitats for animals, and offer nutrients and minerals necessary for aquatic life.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors in Ecosystems
- Biotic factors are living elements in an ecosystem, including producers, consumers, and decomposers.
- Abiotic factors, such as light, temperature, oxygen, nutrients, and pH, determine where organisms live in water.
- Temperature affects the activity levels of organisms in water, with optimal temperatures varying among species.
Examples of Aquatic Lifeforms
- Pistia stratiotes (Water Lettuce)
- Nymphaea lotus (Water Lily)
- Oryza longistaminata (Longstamen rice)
- Vossia cuspidata (Hippo grass)
- Ceratophyllum demersum (Coontail)
- Typha domingensis
- Phragmites australis (common reed)
- Cyperus papyrus (papyrus sedge)
Explore the importance of water as a vital environment for living and non-living resources, covering its forms and presence on Earth.
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