Experimental Design
Ecosystems
Energy in Ecosystems
Biogeochemical Cycles
Human Impact
100
Define independent variable.
Manipulated/changed variable
100
Define producers, consumers, and scavengers.
Producers: autotrophs/create their own food
Consumers: heterotrophs/eat other organisms for food
Scavengers: eat remains of organisms
100
How much energy is passed onto each trophic level?
10%
100
What process is used to convert carbon dioxide into energy and oxygen?
Photosynthesis
100
Fossil fuels release _____ into the atmosphere, which causes _____.
Carbon dioxide, pollution/smog/climate change
200
Define dependent variable.
Outcome/measured variable
200
_____ succession occurs slower because _____. Give an example.
Primary, it requires a pioneer species to start over in that area
Barren rock, volcanic eruption, melting glaciers
200
Define carrying capacity.
The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustain.
200
Name 2 ways carbon dioxide is stored in the carbon cycle.
Oceans, fossil fuels, photosynthesis
200
Name 2 ways humans have a negative impact on the environment.
Fossil fuels, overfishing, overhunting, deforestation, pollution
300
What are constants?
Anything other than the independent variable that is kept the same throughout the experiment.
300
How do invasive species affect ecosystems?
They disrupt food webs by consuming resources. Since they do not have natural predators, their populations grow unchecked.
300
Which organism would benefit the most from the removal of mice?
Grains
300
Name 3 ways carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
respiration, combustion, decomposition/decay
300
How does the use of resources change as a result of human populations growing?
The use of resources also grows/increases with more demand.
400
What makes an experiment a "controlled experiment"?
Having only one independent variable
400
What are keystone species?
Species necessary for the stability of the ecosystem. I.e. otters
400
A secondary consumer has 200J of energy. How much did the producers start with?
20,000J
Secondary: 200J
Primary: 2,000J
Producer: 20,000J
400
How can increased droughts affect plant life? Use key terms.
If there is a decrease in precipitation/rain, less percolation may occur and plants are unable to absorb sufficient water.
400
Give an example of renewable and nonrenewable energy. Which is better and why?
Renewable: solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass
Nonrenewable: fossil fuels, nuclear
Renewable is better because they are replaced quicker than they are used.
500
Gertrude wants to see how the amount of water affects bean growth. She designs an experiment using pinto beans, distilled water, standard soil, and clay pots. Name the independent, dependent, and constant variables of her experiement.
Independent: amount of water
Dependent: bean growth
Constants: type of bean, type of water, type of soil, type of pots
500
What type of succession is occurring?
Secondary
500
Which food chain transfers energy most efficiently to the seal?
phytoplankton - herring - seal
500
What is ocean acidification and how does it affect aquatic ecosystems?
Ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide is released into the ocean, causing it to become more acidic. The change in pH causes organisms to undergo stress and they are no longer in homeostasis.
500
Differentiate between global warming and climate change.
Global warming: increase in average global temperature
Climate change: measurable long term changes (temperature, wind, precipitation, extreme weather events)