WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM?
What is a group of organisms of one species called that live in an area at the same time?
a population
Creatures that live in the deep sea (ocean) cannot be brought up to the surface or they will die. These creatures have adapted to the __________ __________ in their environment. (2 words)
high pressure
Organisms usually compete for their ___________.
lives
What do we call these consumers in an ecosystem?
1. eat only plants
2. eat only other animals
3. eat both plants & animals
1. herbivores
2. carnivores
3. omnivores
This is a repeating process or repeating flow of material through a system.
cycle
In an ecosystem, birds depend on insects to survive. If someone spreads pesticide to control the insect population, what is most likely to occur?
The bird population will decrease.
A moose has adapted to survive in a taiga biome by having __________ ______________. (Hint: A taiga biome is cold.)
thick fur
What are 2 things that could happen to an organism if it cannot compete in its ecosystem.
1. it may die
2. it may be forced to move away
These break down waste and dead matter.
decomposers
Besides decomposers, what is another thing that breaks down dead matter?
fire
Besides water and soil, name 3 nonliving things in an ecosystem.
air, temperature, & sunlight
Which biome is home to more species than any other biome?
tropical rainforest (Species are still being discovered.)
When plants are competing for water in the same area, which type of plant would have the best chance of surviving?
a plant with the largest leaves
a plant with the largest root system
the plant with the largest root system (Plants with larger root systems will absorb water more quickly.)
What is a consumer?
An organism that cannot make its own food.
plants take in ______ _____ and give off _________
carbon dioxide / oxygen
What is an ecosystem?
All of the living and nonliving things in an area.
A plant in the desert would most likely have what type of root system?
large root system, close to the surface
(A desert does not get a lot of rain.)
Corals and algae have a symbiotic relationship. How do the algae benefit (help) the algae?
The algae help the corals make a hard outside coating.
Why is the following food chain incorrect?
sun----________----rabbit----owl
The food chain is missing a producer.
The source for much of the oxygen in the atmosphere does not come from plants. Where does it come from?
plankton in the ocean
What is the climate of a temperate rainforest?
wet and cool (Temperate rainforests receive a lot of rain, but can be quite cool.)
What are 2 ways that wetlands help the environment?
1. act as filters, cleaning water
2. protect inland areas from stormy ocean waves
Given the following choices:
a fungus and bacteria forming a lichen
a parasitic worm living in a fox's bloodstream
Which of these is an example of two organisms that need each other to survive?
In one kind of symbiosis, one organism is not just helped by a partner, but needs a partner in order to survive. Which of the following is an example of such?
a fungus and bacteria forming a lichen (The bacteria make food which feeds the fungus and the fungus gives the bacteria a home.)
In an energy pyramid, which organisms have the greatest amount of energy?
producers
Decomposers break down the remains of dead organisms. They change the animals' ___________ __________ (2 words) into the kinds the plants can use.
nitrogen compounds