Final Study Gude Part 1: Ecosystems

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What is an ecosystem?

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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (soil, water, and climate) in a specific area.

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What are trophic levels?

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Trophic levels are the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, defined by how energy and nutrients flow through the food chain. They include producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

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What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

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Producers, such as plants and phytoplankton, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients circulate.

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What is bioaccumulation?

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Bioaccumulation is the process by which toxic substances accumulate in the tissues of living organisms over time, often affecting higher trophic levels.

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What is population density?

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Population density refers to the number of individuals of a species per unit area or volume, indicating how crowded a population is.

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What is population distribution?

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Population distribution describes how individuals of a species are spread out across a given area, which can be clumped, uniform, or random.

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What is the impact of pollution on ecosystems?

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Pollution can harm ecosystems by contaminating air, water, and soil, leading to health issues for organisms and disrupting food chains.

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What is the significance of keystone species?

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Keystone species are organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem, helping to maintain its structure and balance.

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What is the relationship between predators and prey?

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Predators are organisms that hunt and consume other organisms (prey), creating a dynamic balance in ecosystems that regulates population sizes.