Science Ecosystems Quiz

Ecosystems

• Ecology studies ecosystems and their interactions.
• Environments comprise factors affecting organisms, with habitats being specific locations where species reside.
• The biosphere includes all life on Earth and is organized into various ecological levels.

Biomes

• Biomes are areas defined by vegetation, temperature, and climate.
• Classified into marine (ocean) and terrestrial (land) biomes, including grassland, forest, desert, and ocean types.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• Biotic factors include all living organisms, characterized by seven life processes: movement, reproduction, sensitivity, nutrition, excretion, growth.
• Abiotic factors are nonliving elements like sunlight, temperature, and water.
• Organism survival is influenced by their tolerance range to both biotic and abiotic factors.

The Biotic Relationships

• Five primary biotic interactions:
  • Competition for resources
  • Predation (one organism kills another for food)
  • Parasitism (one benefits, the other is harmed)
  • Mutualism (both organisms benefit)
  • Commensalism (one benefits, the other is unaffected)

Population

• Populations consist of individuals of the same species in an ecosystem.
• Measured by size, density, distribution, birth and death rates, and composition through sampling techniques like quadrats and transects.

Adaptations

• Adaptations are traits that help organisms survive in specific environments.
• Types of adaptations include morphological, physiological, and behavioral.
• Adaptation is influenced by both biotic and abiotic environmental factors.

Food Chains/Webs

• Energy flows from the sun to autotrophs (producers) and then to heterotrophs (consumers).
• Food chains show a linear flow, while food webs represent complex interconnections among species.
• Key species maintain ecosystem balance, with decomposers recycling energy within the system.

Trophic Levels

• Four trophic levels indicate the position in food chains/webs:
  • Level 1: Producers (e.g., plants)
  • Level 2: Primary Consumers (herbivores)
  • Level 3: Secondary Consumers (omnivores/carnivores)
  • Level 4: Tertiary Consumers (apex predators)

Human Impacts

• Natural impacts arise from events like droughts, while human impacts stem from activities like habitat destruction, introduction of nonnative species, chemical pollution, and over-cropping.

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an ecosystem, encompassing genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
• Higher species diversity contributes to ecosystem resilience to environmental changes.
• Key measures of biodiversity include species richness (variety of species) and species evenness (abundance of individuals among species).
• The Simpsons Diversity Index (SDI) evaluates biodiversity based on richness and evenness.

Nervous System

• The nervous system encompasses sensory input collection, integration of changes, and motor output to effectors (muscles/glands).

Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems

• The Central Nervous System (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, while the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) connects the CNS to the body.

Autonomic and Somatic Systems

• The PNS divides into the autonomic system (regulating involuntary actions) and the somatic system (controlling voluntary movements).

Neurons

• Neurons transmit information with three types:
  • Sensory Neurons (input from sensory organs)
  • Interneurons (communication between neurons)
  • Motor Neurons (output to effectors)
• Neurotransmitters facilitate communication at synapses.

Reflex Arcs

• Reflex arcs initiate responses to stimuli, involving sensory receptors, neurons, and effectors for quick muscle response.

Endocrine System

• The endocrine system regulates hormones affecting metabolism, growth, sleep, and mood through glands.
• Hormones act as messengers and are crucial for maintaining homeostasis.

Important Parts of the Endocrine System

• Key glands include:
  • Hypothalamus (links nervous and endocrine systems)
  • Pituitary Gland (regulates growth hormones)
  • Pancreas (manages blood sugar)
  • Adrenal Glands (produce adrenaline)
  • Ovaries/Testes (produce sex hormones)

Hormonal Regulation

• Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) regulates water retention by affecting kidney function.
• The pancreas regulates blood sugar through insulin (lowers) and glucagon (raises) levels.

Diabetes

• Diabetes arises from insufficient insulin production (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2), affecting blood sugar regulation.