Vocab
Not living, or produced by nonliving things
Abiotic
What is the definition of biotic?
Living, or produced by living things
An _____ ecosystem is an ecosystem that is found in water.
aquatic
Which type of bond must be broken for water to vaporize?
Hydrogen Bonds
Why is water's ability to hold itself together important?
Helps transport nutrients and maintain stability in living organisms and ecosystems.
A substance in which another substance (solute) is dissolved to form a homogeneous mixture.
Solvent
Water is said to be _____ because of its structure and atomic makeup.
polar
What is measured by salinity?
Salinity measures the amount of salt dissolved in water.
Aquatic animals need dissolved ______ in water to breathe. (1 word)
oxygen
Why is water a polar molecule?
Water is polar because oxygen pulls electrons more than hydrogen, making one side negative and the other positive.
The action of molecules sticking together.
Cohesion
Many of water’s properties can be explained by its _______ _______. (2 words)
molecular structure
Why does ice float, and how does this benefit aquatic ecosystems?
Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water. This benefits aquatic ecosystems by insulating the water below, helping fish and other organisms survive cold temperatures.
Water's high specific heat is mainly a consequence of the...?
Absorption and release of heat when hydrogen bonds break and form.
Organisms that live in freshwater have adaptations to _______ salt in their bodies. (1 word)
retain
A separation of electric charge between atoms in a molecule resulting from the unequal sharing of electrons in a covalent bond.
Polarity
Life on Earth is highly dependent on the ______ ______ of water as most of the metabolic processes in biological organisms take place due to the chemistry of water. (2 words)
unique properties
What are the unique properties of water? (name 5)
Water is unique because it is polar, sticks to itself and others, absorbs heat well, expands when frozen, and dissolves many substances.
How do the properties of water affect chemical and biological systems?
Water’s properties enable it to dissolve substances, regulate temperature, support transport, and create stable environments for chemical and biological processes.
How do the unique chemical and physical properties of water make life on Earth possible? (Be specific)
Water dissolves nutrients, regulates temperature, moves through plants, and protects life by freezing on top, making Earth habitable.
The deterioration of the resources in an ecosystem by the reduction in the quantity and quality of resources, including resource depletion, pollution, habitat destruction, and extinctions.
Ecosystem Degradation
Describe how cohesion and adhesion in water assist in plant transport systems.
Cohesion and adhesion help water move upward through plants. This allows water to travel from roots to leaves, supporting nutrient transport and photosynthesis.
How do changes in salinity impact organisms in aquatic ecosystems?
Changes in salinity can harm aquatic organisms by upsetting their water balance. Many can only live in certain salt levels, so big changes can cause stress or death.
What is meant by the term estuary, and why is it important for ecosystems?
An estuary is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating a rich and productive habitat that supports diverse ecosystems.
The distribution of life in aquatic ecosystems is determined by what factors? (8)
Light, Temperature, Oxygen, Salinity, Nutrients, Depth, Substrate, and Water flow.