Questions and Answers
What is a biotic factor?
Features of the environment that are alive.
What is an abiotic factor?
Nonliving physical features of the environment.
What does atmosphere refer to?
The air that surrounds Earth.
What is soil composed of?
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What does climate refer to?
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How do biotic and abiotic factors differ?
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Why is soil considered both an abiotic factor and a biotic factor?
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What abiotic factors might contribute to changes in vegetation seen over four days?
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Study Notes
Key Terms and Definitions
- Biotic: Refers to living features of an environment, such as plants and animals.
- Abiotic: Nonliving physical features of the environment, including air, water, and minerals.
- Atmosphere: The air that envelops the Earth, crucial for supporting life.
- Soil: A complex mixture of mineral and rock particles, organic matter from dead organisms, water, and air, playing a pivotal role in ecosystems.
- Climate: The long-term average of weather conditions in a specific area, encompassing temperature, precipitation, and prevailing winds.
Ecosystem Dynamics
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Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors:
- Biotic factors are living components of the ecosystem; abiotic factors are nonliving aspects.
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Soil as Both Biotic and Abiotic:
- Soil is primarily abiotic because it is a physical substance; however, it includes decayed organic matter (from dead organisms) that categorizes it as biotic.
Critical Thinking in Ecosystems
- Observations of changes in vegetation and weather conditions over multiple days highlight the influence of abiotic factors.
- Day 1: Hiking in shady areas indicates the presence of tall trees, affecting light availability.
- Day 2: Shorter, more spaced trees suggest changes in growth patterns or environmental stressors.
- Day 3: The emergence of small plants without trees indicates a shift in environmental conditions, possibly from soil health to light exposure.
- Day 4: The presence of snow signifies temperature and seasonal changes impacting the ecosystem.
- Relevant abiotic factors affecting these changes include sunlight, temperature, and soil conditions.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key terms from Science Chapter 25 with these flashcards. This quiz covers important concepts such as biotic and abiotic factors, atmosphere, soil, and climate, which are essential for understanding the environment. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their learning.
