Key Terms
Key Terms
Short Answer
Random
Random
100
Which term do we use to decribe a complex, self-regulating system with interactions?
ecosystem
100
What process uses glucose and oxygen to obtain energy and produces carbon dioxide and water?
cellular respiration
100
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
Food chain shows the flow of energy through one feeding path. A food web shows a series of interconnected food chains.
100
What are chemical indicators of polluted water?
pH levels, dissolved oxygen, BOD, presence of bacteria etc.
100
What pH do most plants and organisms prefer in their environment?
Close to neutral (pH of 7)
200
What are the 3 components of the biosphere?
atmosphere lithosphere hydrosphere
200
What type of bacteria covert nitrates into nitrogen gas?
denitrifying bacteria
200
What term do we use to describe smaller, broken down habitats, due to human actions such as logging?
habitat fragmentation
200
What is environmental stewardship? How can you be an environmental steward?
Environmental stewardship: using resources wisely and in a sustainable way so that current and future generations can meet their own needs. Varies-save energy, car pool, eat locally produced foods, occasionally calculate your own ecological footprint, spread awareness etc.
200
If specific sources of pollution can be identified, it is referred to as _________________.
point-source pollution
300
What is biodiversity?
The different number and variety of living organisms in a community/environment.
300
What type of conservation attempts to protect a species in its own habitat?
in-situ conservation
300
What are the 3 types of soil? Which type of soil do plants prefer?
Sandy, clay and loam. Plants prefer loam soil.
300
What term do we use to describe a species that does not exist in Ontario but can be found in other parts of the world?
extirpated
300
Why should we avoid using fertilizers and pesticides?
Because it can run off into bodies of water and harm aquatic organisms. Excess nutrients from fertilizers can also lead to eutrophication.
400
What is a biotic factor?
Any living organism (i.e. animals, plants, humans)
400
What term do we use to describe an uncontrolled growth of algae due to a build up of nutrients in aquatic environments?
eutrophication
400
What is the difference between dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand (BOD)?
Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen in an aquatic environment. BOD- measures how quickly oxygen is used in an aquatic environment.
400
How much energy gets transferred at every level of the food chain?
10%
400
How can dissolved oxygen and BOD be used to tell whether an aquatic environment is polluted?
dissolved oxygen- If there is a small amount of dissolved oxygen, very few organisms can survive. This means that the water is polluted and it decreases biodiversity. A low amount of dissolved oxygen = polluted water. BOD- if oxygen is being used up very quickly, chances are there are bacteria and other micro-organisms that prefer polluted water. These organisms will use up oxygen quickly, leaving very little for other organisms. A high BOD = highly polluted water.
500
Which term refers to an environmental factor that prevents a population from increasing?
limiting factor
500
What is a producer?
An organism that is able to produce its own food through photosynthesis.
500
How can you be affected by mercury poisoning if you don't live anywhere near a source that emits mercury or any other heavy metals?
Through bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Mercury from power plants settles in water. Algae and other micro-organisms absorb this water and this causes a buildup of mercury in their tissues. Larger organisms (i.e. fish) consume smaller organisms and mercury ends up in their tissues. At every level, mercury gets more and more concentrated (biomagnification). Eventually we can consume these fish and be affected.
500
Grass seedlings capture 100 kJ of energy and store 10% of it. How much energy will a grasshopper, who eats this grass, gain?
If the grass stores 10%, it only has 10 kJ to pass on. Therefore the grasshopper will only obtain 1 kJ of energy.
500
Why do customs officals ask you whether you are bringing back any goods into the country?
If you are bringing back goods such as fruits, you are potentially introducing an invasive species.
M
e
n
u