Ecology review

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

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

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What is a producer in an ecosystem?

Back

A producer is an organism that can make its own food through photosynthesis, such as plants and algae.

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What is a primary consumer?

Back

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers; they are typically herbivores, like rabbits and deer.

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What is a secondary consumer?

Back

A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers; they can be carnivores or omnivores, like snakes and raccoons.

Front

What is the carbon cycle?

Back

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, land, water, and living organisms.

Front

How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?

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Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and release oxygen, which is essential for animal life.

Front

What happens if a primary consumer is removed from an ecosystem?

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If a primary consumer is removed, the population of producers (plants) may increase due to less consumption.

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What is a food web?

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

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

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What is a carnivore?

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A carnivore is an animal that primarily eats other animals.