Unit 5: Earth's Layers & Rock Cycle
What are the four main layers of the Earth (in order from innermost to outermost)?
Inner Core, Outer Core, Mantle, Crust
What is a renewable resource?
A resource that can be naturally replaced over time
What is a cell?
The basic unit of structure and function in living organisms
What is an ecosystem?
A community of organisms interacting with each other and their environment
Which layer of the earth is liquid and made mostly of molten metal?
Mantle
Give one example of a nonrenewable resource and explain why it is nonrenewable.
Oil, coal, natural gas — they take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced quickly
What is the function of the cell membrane?
Controls what enters and leaves the cell
What role do producers play in an ecosystem?
They make their own food (usually through photosynthesis) and provide energy for other organisms
What type of rock forms from cooling magma or lava?
What is conservation, and how does it help manage natural resources?
Conservation is using resources wisely to prevent depletion.
Compare plant and animal cells (give at least one similarity and one difference).
Both have a nucleus and cell membrane; plant cells have chloroplasts and a cell wall, animal cells do not
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?
Biotic = living factors; abiotic = nonliving factors
Describe how a sedimentary rock can become a metamorphic rock.
Sedimentary rocks can be under enough heat and pressure that they become metamorphic rock.
Compare conservation and recycling. How are they similar and different?
Both reduce resource use; conservation uses less in the first place, while recycling reuses materials after they are used
Explain how the structure of an organelle helps it perform its function (choose one: nucleus, mitochondria, or chloroplast).
Example (mitochondria): Its folded inner membrane increases surface area, allowing more energy (ATP) to be produced
Explain how energy flows through a food chain.
Energy flows from the sun to producers, then to consumers, and decreases at each level
A rock is found deep underground with aligned minerals and evidence of extreme heat and pressure. Explain how it became that type of rock using the rock cycle. What kind of rock is it?
Your answer should include sediment compacting and cementing in layers, being buried underground as that continues, and experiencing extreme heat and pressure. THIS IS METAMORPHIC!
A city is running low on freshwater. Propose a plan using at least two management strategies and justify why they would be effective.
Answers will vary, but should include strategies like conservation (reduce water use), recycling water, or using alternative sources, with justification (ex: reduces demand, protects supply)
A cell is not functioning properly because it cannot produce enough energy. Identify the organelle involved and explain how this affects the entire organism.
Mitochondria; without enough energy, the cell cannot perform necessary functions, which can affect tissues and the entire organism
A top predator is removed from an ecosystem. Predict how this will affect at least two other populations and explain your reasoning.
Removing a top predator can cause prey populations to increase, which may reduce producers or other species, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem