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Questions and Answers
What are five biotic and five abiotic factors we might study in an ecosystem?
What are five biotic and five abiotic factors we might study in an ecosystem?
Animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and protists; water, soil, air, sunlight, and temperature.
What is the water cycle?
What is the water cycle?
What are the main steps in the carbon cycle?
What are the main steps in the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis, respiration, exchange, sedimentation and burial, extraction, and combustion.
What are the main processes involved in the nitrogen cycle?
What are the main processes involved in the nitrogen cycle?
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What is nitrogen fixation?
What is nitrogen fixation?
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What is ammonification?
What is ammonification?
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What is nitrification?
What is nitrification?
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What is denitrification?
What is denitrification?
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The steps in the phosphorus cycle include weathering of uplifted rocks contributing ______ to the land.
The steps in the phosphorus cycle include weathering of uplifted rocks contributing ______ to the land.
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What defines mutualism?
What defines mutualism?
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What defines commensalism?
What defines commensalism?
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What defines parasitism?
What defines parasitism?
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What is competition in ecology?
What is competition in ecology?
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What is predation?
What is predation?
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What climatic patterns determine the type of biome?
What climatic patterns determine the type of biome?
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Describe the tropical rain forest biome.
Describe the tropical rain forest biome.
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Describe the temperature deciduous forest biome.
Describe the temperature deciduous forest biome.
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What is the taiga (boreal) forest biome like?
What is the taiga (boreal) forest biome like?
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Describe the Tropical Grassland (Savanna) biome.
Describe the Tropical Grassland (Savanna) biome.
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Describe the Temperate Grassland biome.
Describe the Temperate Grassland biome.
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Describe the tundra biome.
Describe the tundra biome.
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Study Notes
Ecosystem Factors
- Biotic factors include animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and protists.
- Abiotic factors encompass water, soil, air, sunlight, and temperature.
- These factors determine the carrying capacity of an ecosystem by influencing resource availability.
Water Cycle
- Continuous movement of water between Earth's surface and the atmosphere.
- Key processes: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, and precipitation.
Carbon Cycle
- Involves processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, exchange, sedimentation, burial, extraction, and combustion.
- Human activities like burning fossil fuels impact atmospheric carbon concentration.
Nitrogen Cycle
- Comprises fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.
- Human disruption through increased nitrogen storage reflects in fossil fuel combustion, leading to air pollution.
Nitrogen Fixation
- Key players include legumes and symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules.
- Converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia for plant uptake.
Ammonification
- Process where decomposers convert organic waste into ammonia.
Nitrification
- Conversion of ammonium into nitrate and nitrite by nitrifying bacteria.
Denitrification
- Final step in the nitrogen cycle where soil nitrates are broken down by microorganisms, releasing nitrogen back into the atmosphere.
Phosphorus Cycle Steps
- Weathering of rocks releases phosphates; some flow back to oceans.
- Phosphate fertilizers can runoff into streams or be absorbed by plants.
- Animal excretion and decomposition release phosphates into land or water.
- Dissolved phosphates may precipitate and eventually form ocean sediments.
Mutualism
- Symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit.
Commensalism
- One species benefits while the other is unaffected in this type of relationship.
Parasitism
- Interaction where one species benefits at the expense of the other, causing harm.
Competition
- Occurs when multiple organisms demand limited resources, can be intraspecific (same species) or interspecific (different species).
Predation
- Interaction involving one organism killing another for food.
Climatic Patterns of Biomes
- Determined by species present, temperature range, soil type, and availability of light and water.
Tropical Rainforest Biome
- High rainfall, thick canopies, nutrient-poor soil, and remarkable biodiversity.
Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome
- Moderate rainfall with warm summers and cool winters; characterized by trees that shed leaves.
Taiga (Boreal) Forest Biome
- Features long, cold winters and short, mildly wet summers; dominated by coniferous trees.
Tropical Grassland (Savanna)
- Warm climate with distinct dry and rainy seasons; features tall grasses and scattered trees.
Temperate Grassland Biome
- Comprises plains and prairies with fertile soils; characterized by hot summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall.
Tundra Biome
- Extremely cold and dry biome; known for its unique flora and fauna adapted to harsh conditions.
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