Ecosystems
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living organisms and their environment interacting as a system.
What is a food chain?
A linear sequence showing how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another.
What is weather?
The short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area.
What is energy?
The ability to do work or cause change.
What is an energy transformation?
The process of changing energy from one form to another.
What is a biotic factor?
A living thing in an ecosystem
Define herbivore.
An animal that primarily eats plants.
Name one factor that influences climate.
Latitude, elevation, ocean currents
What are the two types of energy?
Kinetic energy and potential energy.
Give an example of kinetic energy transforming into potential energy.
A roller coaster at the top of a hill (potential) moving down (kinetic).
What is the difference between a habitat and a niche?
A habitat is the environment where an organism lives, while a niche is the role or function of that organism in its ecosystem.
What role do decomposers play in a food web?
Decomposers break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
What is the water cycle? Name all the parts.
The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
What is the law of conservation of energy?
Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms.
Describe how plants transform energy.
Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Where are producers in a food chain, food web or energy pyramid?
The bottom
What is the difference between a primary consumer and a secondary consumer?
Primary consumers eat producers (plants), while secondary consumers eat primary consumers.
How does climate differ from weather?
Climate refers to long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation, while weather refers to short-term conditions.
What is renewable energy? Give an example.
Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar or wind energy.
What is the acronym to help you remember the 7 forms of energy?
Mrs. Chen
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity means having more of an organism in a specific area
Describe how energy is transferred in a food web and what percentage is transferred?
Energy is transferred from producers to consumers in various levels, 10% is transferred.
Explain the greenhouse effect.
The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases trap heat in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth warm.
What is it called when heat is transferred through direct contact?
Conduction
What are the 3 energy transforms that happen with a lamp?
Electrical, light to heat