Unit 4 Ecosystems: The Sonoran Desert
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Questions and Answers

Which factor is considered a biotic component of an ecosystem?

  • Water
  • Animals (correct)
  • Temperature
  • Soil

What adaptation do saguaro cacti have for water absorption in the Sonoran Desert?

  • Wide-reaching roots (correct)
  • Short growing cycle
  • Thick waxy skin
  • Deep tap roots only

How do kangaroo rats adapt to the conditions of the Sonoran Desert?

  • By consuming only plants
  • By emerging at night to feed (correct)
  • By being diurnal
  • By digging deep burrows

Which of the following is a non-living component that impacts organisms in the Sonoran Desert?

<p>Sunlight (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of mutual dependency in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem?

<p>Animals pollinating flowers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect do periodic heavy rains have on the Sonoran Desert?

<p>They trigger rapid plant flowering (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of the Sonoran Desert contributes to the health of its ecosystem?

<p>Balance of interactions between species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do ants play in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem?

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

What is bioaccumulation?

<p>The gradual increase of a substance in an organism's body. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is TRUE about DDT?

<p>It is an insecticide used in agriculture. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does biomagnification occur?

<p>Toxins accumulate in higher concentrations as you move up the food chain. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes non-biodegradable items?

<p>They cannot be broken down by living organisms. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of items can be broken down by microorganisms?

<p>Paper materials (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does DDT have on animal health?

<p>It is toxic to many kinds of animals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes biodegradable materials from non-biodegradable materials?

<p>Biodegradable materials can decompose naturally. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a substance that frequently undergoes bioaccumulation?

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

What is the role of water in the desert ecosystem?

<p>It activates desert life and facilitates reproduction. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?

<p>To convert sunlight into chemical energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do adaptations benefit organisms in their habitats?

<p>By enabling them to survive and thrive in their environment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would most likely happen if a habitat is destroyed or altered by humans?

<p>Populations could decrease drastically or become extinct. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes an invasive species?

<p>A non-native species that causes harm to an ecosystem. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of a food web?

<p>It represents interconnected food chains in an ecosystem. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a carnivore from an omnivore?

<p>Carnivores eat animals exclusively, whereas omnivores eat both plants and animals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of extinction?

<p>Once extinct, the species can never reappear. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is an ecosystem?

The interaction between living things (biotic factors) and non-living elements (abiotic factors) in a specific environment.

What are biotic factors?

Living organisms like plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.

What are abiotic factors?

Non-living things like sunlight, water, air, temperature, and soil.

What is the Sonoran Desert?

A desert in Arizona, known for its resilience, adaptation, and beauty.

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What is resilience in an ecosystem?

The ability to survive and thrive in harsh conditions.

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What are adaptations in an ecosystem?

Changes that help organisms survive in their environment.

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What is mutualism in an ecosystem?

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

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Why is balance important for an ecosystem?

The delicate balance of interactions between organisms and their environment that is essential for the ecosystem's health.

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Food web

All the food chains in an ecosystem connected together, showing how energy is transferred from one organism to another.

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Ecology

The study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

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Habitat

The natural place where an organism lives and finds the resources it needs.

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Adaptations

Features that help an organism survive and thrive in its habitat.

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Producer

Organisms that make their own food, typically through photosynthesis, using sunlight.

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Consumer

Organisms that get their energy by eating other organisms.

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Predator

An animal that kills and eats other animals for food.

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Prey

An animal that is hunted and eaten by other animals for food.

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Bioaccumulation

The gradual increase of a substance in an organism's body, often due to the inability of the organism to break down the substance.

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Biomagnification

The increase in the concentration of a substance as you move up a food chain, with top predators having the highest concentrations.

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DDT

An insecticide that is very harmful to many animals, including humans. DDT is persistent and doesn't break down quickly.

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Biodegradable

Any material that can be broken down and decomposed by microorganisms.

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Non-biodegradable

Materials that cannot be broken down by living organisms, often persisting in the environment for long periods.

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Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, often releasing energy. This process helps organisms break down substances.

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Excretion

The process by which organisms eliminate waste products from their bodies.

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Mercury

A toxic metal that can accumulate in organisms and cause health problems.

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Study Notes

Unit 4 Ecosystems

  • Unit 4 covers ecosystems, including the Sonoran Desert, different ecosystems, intruders in an ecosystem, and bioaccumulation.

4.1 The Sonoran Desert

  • The Sonoran Desert in Arizona is a resilient, beautiful ecosystem with harsh environments. Minimal rainfall creates challenges for both plants and animals.
  • Saguaro cacti require many years to mature and have extensive root systems for water absorption.
  • Gila woodpeckers nest in cacti, while cactus wrens prefer teddy bear cholla for protection.
  • Animals seek shade during hot days and some, like kangaroo rats, are nocturnal.
  • Periodic heavy rains transform the desert, triggering rapid plant flowering and insects pollinating flowers, with bats feeding on agave nectar.
  • Ants collect and store seeds, leading to potential germination.
  • Mutual dependencies exist between animals and plants.
  • Each organism's actions impact others within the ecosystem.
  • Mutualistic interactions between species ensure ecosystem sustainability.
  • The delicate balance of interactions maintains health and diversity.
  • Bright sunlight facilitates photosynthesis in plants, providing food for other organisms.
  • Diurnal temperature variations influence animal behavior.
  • Rocks and soil provide minerals for plant growth and building material for ground-nesting birds.
  • Water is essential for survival and activates desert life.
  • Desert air supplies carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, and oxygen for respiration.
  • Food webs represent interconnected food chains, showing energy transfer within ecosystems.
  • A food chain displays energy transfer from one organism to another.
  • Adaptations like long eyelashes, thick fur, humps, slit nostrils, flat feet, large surface areas, long roots, are all characteristics that help animals and plants survive in the Sonoran Desert.
  • Ecology is the study of ecosystems.
  • Habitat is where an organism lives.

4.2 Different Ecosystems

  • Examples of different ecosystems include mangrove forests, sea ice in the Arctic Ocean and rice paddies.

4.3 Intruders in an Ecosystem

  • Intruders, also known as invasive species, can damage the ecological balance, biodiversity, and human health, and can cause native species to become extinct.
  • Invasive species are organisms introduced in an ecosystem they don't belong in, and they rapidly increase in number/grow and reproduce aggressively causing harm.

4.4 Bioaccumulation

  • DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is an insecticide used in agriculture that is harmful and toxic to many animals. DDT is a persistent chemical that stays in the environment for a long time. It cannot be broken down by decomposers.
  • Bioaccumulation is the gradual increase of a substance in an organism's body. This happens when the substance can't be broken down in the body cells.
  • Biomagnification is the increase in the concentration of a substance as you move up a food chain (e.g., Mercury, DDT). Predatory animals consume prey and all the toxic chemicals along with the prey, build up in their system, creating increased concentrations as you move up the food chain.
  • Biodegradable materials break down in the environment, while non-biodegradable materials do not.

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Y8 Unit 4 Ecosystems PDF

Description

This quiz explores the intricacies of ecosystems, particularly focusing on the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the distinctive flora and fauna, their mutual dependencies, and how they adapt to the harsh environment of this desert. Dive into the roles of various species and their interactions that shape this resilient ecosystem.

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