Biodiversity & Ecosystems
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living things that live together in an ecosystem.
What does "classification" mean?
The sorting of organisms based on their similarities.
What is a producer?
An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis (e.g., plants).
What is an invasive species?
A non native or foreign species that disrupts the balance in an ecosystem.
Who was the first person to study plants and animals systematically?
Aristotle
What is the largest ecosystem on Earth?
The ocean.
Who is known as the "father of taxonomy"?
Carolus Linnaeus.
What is a consumer?
An organism that eats other organisms for energy.
Give an example of an invasive species. How do they disrupt ecosystems?
Sample Answer: Zebra mussels in North America; they outcompete native species for food and space.
What is the scientific name of a species that you have researched during this unit
Teacher to look on the internet
What is an example of an endangered species?
An animal or plant whose numbers are declining to the point of being at risk of disappearing usually due to overexplotation, loss of habitats, imbalance in their ecosystem (e.g., Bengal tiger, blue whale).
How many kingdoms are there in the classification system?
5.
What is the role of herbivores in the food chain?
Herbivores eat producers (plants) and are a food source for carnivores.
What does "overexploitation" mean in environmental science?
Using a renewable resource faster than it can replenish itself.
What is the "kingdom" classification that contains organisms like mushrooms and yeast?
Fungi
How does overexploitation affect biodiversity?
Overexploitation uses resources faster than they can replenish, threatening species' survival and reducing biodiversity.
What are the two main subgroups of the animal kingdom?
Vertebrates and invertebrates.
Which organisms rely on both producers and consumers for food?
Omnivores (e.g., humans, raccoons).
Why is preserving biodiversity important for an ecosystem?
Biodiversity ensures ecosystem stability, resilience, and productivity by maintaining a balance between species and resources.
Which plants known as the three sisters and how do they support each other?
Corn is tall and provides support and nutrients to the soil
Beans have vines to support corn
Squash 'crawls' along the ground providing shade for the soils and nutrients (nitrogen) for the soil too
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living and nonliving things that interact and depend on each other, forming a self-sustaining unit.
What language is used for the scientific names of organisms?
Latin
How is energy transferred through a food chain?
Energy flows from producers to herbivores (primary consumers) to carnivores (secondary consumers) and so on.
What human activities have the biggest impact on ecosystems?
Deforestation, pollution, urbanization, and climate change.
What is the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates?
Vertebrates have a backbone, while invertebrates do not.