Biology Study Guide Answers PDF

Topic 1 - Biodiversity ​ Know your Keywords: Biodiversity – The variety of living things in an area. Taxonomy – The science of classifying organisms into groups. Ecology – The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. Ecosystem – A communi...

Topic 1 - Biodiversity ​ Know your Keywords: Biodiversity – The variety of living things in an area. Taxonomy – The science of classifying organisms into groups. Ecology – The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. Ecosystem – A community of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things interacting in an area. Biome – A large area with a specific climate, plants, and animals (e.g., desert, rainforest). ​ How is biodiversity changing on our planet? Biodiversity is decreasing because of deforestation, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. Some species are becoming extinct. ​ What is biodiversity and why is it important? Explain your answer by giving examples. Biodiversity helps ecosystems stay balanced. For example, bees help pollinate flowers, which helps plants grow. If bees disappear, plants and food production will suffer. ​ What are Biotic and Abiotic factors and how would we characterize each? Biotic factors are living things (e.g., animals, plants, bacteria). Abiotic factors are nonliving things (e.g., sunlight, water, soil, temperature). ​ What are the 7 Key Characteristics of Life? Growth, reproduction, respiration, nutrition, movement, sensitivity, excretion ​ What is the difference between an autotroph and a heterotroph? Autotrophs make their own food (e.g., plants, algae). Heterotrophs eat other organisms for energy (e.g., animals, humans). ​ What three things define a biome? (think about the three things you researched) Climate (temperature and rainfall) Types of plants Types of animals ​ Give an example of a relationship between a living and nonliving thing in an ecosystem. (biotic and abiotic) A fish (biotic) needs clean water (abiotic) to survive. A tree (biotic) uses sunlight (abiotic) to grow. ​ What factors affect biodiversity? (think about natural factors and human-caused factors) Natural factors: Climate, natural disasters (volcanic eruptions, floods). Human-caused factors: Pollution, deforestation, hunting, habitat destruction.  ​ How do humans impact the environment? Positive impacts: Conservation efforts, planting trees, protecting animals. Negative impacts: Pollution, deforestation, hunting, habitat destruction. ​ What is a limiting factor? Give two examples. A limiting factor is something that controls the size of a population. Examples: Food availability, water supply, sunlight, temperature, living space, predators, competition. ​ How do limiting factors affect populations?’ If food or water is limited, populations decrease. If predators are removed, prey populations may grow too fast. ​ What are the differences between primary and secondary succession? Primary succession happens in areas with no life (e.g., after a volcanic eruption). Secondary succession happens where life existed before but was disturbed (e.g., after a wildfire). ​ What is a pioneer species? A pioneer species is the first organism to grow in an empty area. Example: Mosses and lichens on volcanic rock. They gradually break down rocks into smaller particles to form the first layer of soil. This allows other plants and organisms to start growing. Topic 2 - Wildlife Conservation ​ Know your Keywords: Conservation – Protecting and restoring nature and wildlife. Renewable resources – Natural resources that can be replaced (e.g., sunlight, wind, trees). Non-renewable resources – Resources that cannot be replaced quickly (e.g., coal, oil). Extinction – When a species disappears forever. Endangered species – Animals or plants that are at risk of extinction. ​ What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources? Renewable resources can be replaced naturally (e.g., solar energy, trees). Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form (e.g., coal, oil). ​ What are some causes of extinction? Habitat destruction such as deforestation Climate change Overhunting Pollution  ​ Why should we care about conservation? It helps protect animals, plants, and their habitats. If species disappear, ecosystems become unbalanced. We depend on animals and plants for survival, such as food, medicine, water purification, oxygen etc ​ What are the different methods for wildlife conservation? Community Initiatives- such as beach pickups, recycling projects, reducing pollution, planting more trees, stopping illegal hunting, locals within a community working together to protect natural habitats. Media campaigns - bringing awareness via social media, television, radio, newspaper Laws and national parks- stricter laws around illegal hunting and poaching, creating nature reserves Research and Tracking wildlife- research teams working on tracking populations of different species and learning as much as they can about the behaviours of these species and the conditions they need to survive. ○​ What are the special benefits of each method? Lab 1 - Plant and Animal Cell Comparison ​ Study the keywords/definitions from your Lab 1 document ​ What are the main parts of animal cells? Cell membrane – Controls what enters and leaves the cell. Cytoplasm – Jelly-like substance where chemical reactions happen. Nucleus – Contains DNA and controls cell activities. Mitochondria – Produces energy for the cell. ​ What are the main parts of plant cells? Cell wall – Provides structure and support. Cell membrane – Controls what enters and leaves the cell. Cytoplasm – Where chemical reactions occur. Nucleus – Controls cell activities and contains DNA. Mitochondria – Produces energy. Chloroplasts – Contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Permanent Vacuole – Stores water, nutrients, and waste, and helps maintain shape. ​ What are some things that plant and animal cells have in common? Both have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria Both carry out respiration to produce energy. ​ What are some things that are different in plant and animal cells? Plant cells have a cell wall, but animal cells do not. Plant cells have chloroplasts for photosynthesis, but animal cells do not.