Ecology & Ecosystems
What term describes the role an organism plays in its environment?
Niche
What is the name for the layer of gases surrounding Earth?
the atmosphere
What is the basic unit of life?
a cell
What is molten rock beneath Earth’s surface called?
magma
What force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
gravity
What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy?
photosynthesis
Which natural process causes rocks to break down into smaller pieces over time?
weathering
What organelle is responsible for producing energy in cells?
the mitochondrion
What scale is used to measure earthquake magnitude?
the Richter scale
What is the term for the bending of light as it passes through different substances?
refraction
What is a group of interdependent organisms living in the same habitat called?
community?
What is the term for the process where water moves through the atmosphere, land, and oceans?
the water cycle
What is the name for organisms that can make their own food?
autotrophs
What type of rock forms from cooled lava?
igneous rock
What is the name of the effect that causes global winds to curve due to Earth’s rotation?
the Coriolis effect
Which biome is known for having the highest biodiversity on Earth?
the tropical rainforest
What is the primary cause of ocean tides?
the gravitational pull of the Moon
What type of reproduction requires two parents and produces genetically unique offspring?
sexual reproduction
What is the name for a large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity?
an air mass
What gas do humans exhale that plants use for photosynthesis?
carbon dioxide
What is the term for species that are introduced to a new environment and negatively impact native species?
invasive species
What phenomenon occurs when warm air traps pollutants close to the ground, causing smog?
temperature inversion
What is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce?
natural selection
What are the three main types of plate boundaries?
convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries
What is the scientific law that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed?
the law of conservation of energy