Ecosystems
What term describes all the living and nonliving things in an environment?
Ecosystem
Which gas do plants take in for photosynthesis?
Carbon Dioxide
ATP
adenosine triphosphate, main cellular energy currency used for cellular work.
Decomposer
breaks down dead organisms
Qualitative data
descriptive data
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors? Give one example of each
biotic are living abiotic are non-living
Write the overall chemical equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O + {Light Energy} = C6H12O6 + 6O2
Primary producers
make organic compounds from sunlight (e.g., plants, algae).
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
convert atmospheric N2 to usable forms (ammonium/nitrate) for plants; key for plant growth.
Quantitative data
numeric data
Define "keystone species" and explain its importance in an ecosystem.
Define "keystone species" and explain its importance in an ecosystem.
rite the overall chemical equation for cellular respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2= 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy (ATP)
Primary consumers
herbivores (e.g., rabbit)
Food web
network of many food chains showing feeding relationships
Ecosystem
all living things plus nonliving parts interacting in an area
Explain carrying capacity and name two factors that can change it.
is the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading the resources available. Once a population reaches this limit, resource scarcity, increased competition, and disease
Explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are "opposite and direct" processes in the carbon cycle
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are "opposite and direct" processes because the outputs of one serve as the inputs for the other, forming a continuous cycle of carbon exchange
Secondary Consumers
carnivores eating herbivores (e.g., fox)
food chain
single path of energy flow. 400 — Typically ~10% of energy transfers to next trophic level, so energy drastically reduces up the chain — fewer organisms can be supported at higher levels.
environment
is the surrounding conditions — ecosystem is a functional unit of an environment.
Describe how invasive species can alter ecosystem structure and give one real or hypothetical example.
Invasive species alter ecosystem structure by outcompeting native wildlife, altering food webs, and modifying physical habitats.
Summarize the main steps of the carbon cycle, including the role of decomposers and fossil fuels
1. Carbon Absorption
2. Carbon Passing (Consumption)
3. Carbon Release (Respiration)
4. Carbon Recycling (Decomposers)
5. Long-Term Storage (Fossil Fuels)
6. Carbon Return (Combustion)
Tertiary Consumers
carnivores eating other carnivores (e.g., hawk eating snakes).
Ecosystem services
benefits people get from ecosystems (e.g., pollination of crops, clean water from wetlands).
Trophic level
position in a food chain/web (producers, consumers); plants are producers (lowest trophic level).