Ecosystem

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What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem consists of all the organisms living together in an area and their interactions with one another and with their environment.

What are abiotic factors? Give examples.

Abiotic factors are non-living parts of an environment that can affect organisms. Examples include light, temperature, water, soil, and air.

What are biotic factors? Give examples.

Biotic factors are living parts of an environment that can affect organisms. Examples include plants, animals, microorganisms, and availability of food.

How do organisms in an ecosystem interact with one another?

Organisms interact through predation, competition, symbiosis, and decomposition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a food chain?

A food chain shows how energy flows from one organism to another, starting with a producer and followed by consumers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a food web?

A food web is a COMPLEX NETWORK of INTERCONNECTED food chains showing the multiple feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'population'

A population is a group of organisms of the SAME SPECIES LIVING together and REPRODUCING in a particular area. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'community'

A community is made up of all the DIFFERENT POPULATIONS that live together in an environment. Signup and view all the answers

How do abiotic factors affect organisms?

Abiotic factors such as light, temperature, and water availability influence the survival, growth, and reproduction of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

How do biotic factors affect organisms?

Biotic factors such as availability of food, presence of predators, and competition with other organisms affect the survival and reproduction of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Producers, such as plants, make their own food through photosynthesis and are a primary source of energy for consumers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting the nutrient cycle. Signup and view all the answers

How can human activities impact ecosystems?

Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and overhunting can destroy habitats, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt ecosystem balance. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of how a change in one population affects others in a food chain.

If the population of grasshoppers decreases, the population of toads that eat them will also decrease, while the population of grass that grasshoppers eat will increase. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of light in an ecosystem?

Light is crucial for photosynthesis in plants, which is the foundation of energy flow in most ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what a habitat is.

A habitat is the place where an organism lives, which provides the necessary conditions for its survival and reproduction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of water in an ecosystem?

Water is essential for life processes such as digestion, photosynthesis, and cellular functions in all living organisms. Signup and view all the answers

How do temperature variations affect ecosystems?

Temperature influences the metabolic rates of organisms, their distribution, and the types of species that can survive in an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of air in an ecosystem?

Air provides oxygen for respiration in animals and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis in plants, both essential for energy production. Signup and view all the answers

Why is soil important in an ecosystem?

Soil provides nutrients and a medium for plant growth, supports various microorganisms, and plays a role in the water cycle. Signup and view all the answers