What is the biosphere?

The biosphere is the region on earth where there is life, extending high into the atmosphere and deep into the oceans.

A habitat is a place in which you find animals and plants; the space that the organism inhabits.

What are the functional components of an ecosystem?

Energy flow, food chain, food web, biogeochemical cycles, diversity & evolution, and cybernetics.

What is energy flow in an ecosystem?

Energy flow refers to the circuit of energy in ecosystem components.

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

A food chain is a linear series of food getting in the trophic levels, while a food web is an interlocking pattern of food chains.

What are the major biogeochemical cycles?

Hydrologic (Water) Cycle, Carbon-Oxygen Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle, and Sulfur Cycle.

What processes are involved in the hydrologic cycle?

Evaporation, Transpiration, Condensation, Deposition, and Precipitation.

What is nitrogen fixation?

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria.

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Decomposers recycle organic matter by breaking down dead organic material to release nutrients.

What is the GAIA Hypothesis?

The GAIA Hypothesis is a view of a self-sustaining biosphere, where every organism is linked to the others.

What is the ecological pyramid?

An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of energy/nutrients in the trophic levels.

What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

Producers, also called autotrophs, make their own food from compounds obtained from their environment.

What are consumers in an ecosystem?

Consumers, also called heterotrophs, get their energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms.

What is a primary consumer?

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers (plants) as a source of food; also known as herbivores.

What is a secondary consumer?

A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers (herbivores) and is typically a carnivore.

What is a tertiary consumer?

A tertiary consumer is an organism that eats secondary consumers and other consumers.

An omnivore is an organism that has a mixed diet that includes both plants and animals.

Detritus consists of parts of dead organisms and cast-off fragments and wastes of living organisms.

What is the significance of biodiversity in ecosystems?

Biodiversity contributes to the resilience and stability of ecosystems, allowing them to adapt to changes.

What is the role of cybernetics in ecosystems?

Cybernetics refers to the control of the ecosystem and how organisms interact to modify and control conditions.

What is the difference between natural, artificial, and managed ecosystems?

Natural ecosystems occur without human intervention, artificial ecosystems are created by humans, and managed ecosystems are maintained by humans.

What is the importance of nutrient cycling in ecosystems?

Nutrient cycling is essential for maintaining the health and sustainability of ecosystems.

What is the role of temperature and humidity in habitats?

Temperature and humidity are climatic factors that influence the types of animals and plants that can live in a habitat.

What is the impact of large plants like acacia trees on their habitat?

They may provide shelter for animals but can also prevent some plants from getting enough light for photosynthesis.

What is the significance of ecological processes like nutrient cycling and feeding relationships?

These processes are fundamental for the functioning and sustainability of ecosystems.

What is the role of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems?

Phytoplankton are the dominant producers in open water, capturing sunlight to make carbohydrates through photosynthesis.

What is the process of chemosynthesis?

Chemosynthesis is the process by which certain bacteria convert simple compounds from their environment into complex nutrient compounds without sunlight.

What is acid precipitation?

Acid precipitation is the result of sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid in the atmosphere, leading to acid rain.

What is the significance of the ecological principle that ecosystems are not closed systems?

It highlights that organisms within the biosphere interact and adapt to their environment, affecting chemical and physical conditions.

What is the role of human activities in the sulfur cycle?

Human activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels, contribute to the release of sulfur compounds into the atmosphere.

What is the nitrogen cycle?

The nitrogen cycle involves the transformation of nitrogen in various forms through processes like fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.

What is the phosphorus cycle?

The phosphorus cycle describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

What is the carbon-oxygen cycle?

The carbon-oxygen cycle involves the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen between living organisms and the environment, primarily through photosynthesis and respiration.

What is the significance of the 2nd law of thermodynamics in energy flow?

It states that energy flow in the environment is inefficient, leading to energy loss at each trophic level.

What is the role of detritivores in ecosystems?

Detritivores are specialized consumers that recycle organic matter by breaking down dead organic material.

What is the impact of competition, predation, and grazing in a community?

These interactions affect the population dynamics and species diversity within a community.

What is the significance of understanding ecological principles?

Understanding ecological principles helps in conservation efforts and managing ecosystems sustainably.

What is the role of weather and landscape in an ecosystem?

Weather and landscape influence the types of organisms that can thrive in a given ecosystem.

What is the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem stability?

Higher species diversity generally leads to greater ecosystem stability and resilience to disturbances.

What is the importance of studying ecosystems?

Studying ecosystems helps us understand the complex interactions between organisms and their environment, which is crucial for conservation and sustainability.

Ecosystem Structure & Function Flashcards

Student preview

47 questions

Show all answers

1.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem is any unit that includes all the living things in an area, interacting with the physical environment.

2.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What are the two main components of an ecosystem?

Back

Biotic (living things) and Abiotic (non-living things; physical environment).

3.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What are biotic factors?

Back

Biotic factors include plants, animals, and other organisms.

4.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What are abiotic factors?

Back

Abiotic factors include rocks, temperature, and humidity.

5.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What is a community in ecological terms?

Back

A community is composed of many populations of species inhabiting an area.

6.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What is a population?

Back

A population is a group of one species of organism.

7.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

What is a species?

Back

A species is a group of genetically similar organisms that can interbreed with one another.

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