Invasive species
What is an invasive species?
A non-native species that spreads and causes harm to the environment.
What is a trophic level?
A step in the food chain that represents feeding positions (producers, consumers, etc.).
What is symbiosis?
A close and long-term biological interaction between two species.
What is biomagnification?
The increase in concentration of toxins as they move up the food chain.
What element does the nitrogen cycle focus on?
Nitrogen.
Name one example of an invasive species in North America.
Zebra mussels, kudzu, or Asian carp.
Which organisms are always at the first trophic level?
Producers (plants, algae).
What is mutualism?
A relationship where both species benefit.
What is a common pollutant that biomagnifies?
Mercury or DDT.
What process converts nitrogen gas into usable forms for plants?
Nitrogen fixation.
Why are invasive species harmful to ecosystems?
They outcompete native species for resources, leading to a loss in biodiversity.
What happens to energy as it moves up the trophic levels?
Only about 10% is passed on; the rest is lost as heat.
What is parasitism?
A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed (e.g., ticks on a dog).
Which organisms are most affected by biomagnification?
Top predators.
What organisms are essential for the nitrogen cycle to happen?
Bacteria.
How do invasive species typically spread to new areas?
Through human activity such as shipping, travel, and trade.
What happens when a top predator is removed from a food web?
It can cause trophic cascades, disrupting the entire ecosystem.
What is an example of a structural adaptation in animals?
A giraffe’s long neck to reach high leaves.
Why are top predators most affected by biomagnification?
Toxins accumulate and increase as they move up the food chain.
What is denitrification?
The process where bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas.
Explain two ways to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Cleaning boats before moving between water bodies, regulating imported plants/animals, educating the public.
Describe the difference between a food chain and a food web.
A food chain shows a single energy path; a food web shows interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.
Explain the difference between commensalism and mutualism, and give an example of each.
Mutualism benefits both (ex: clownfish and anemone); commensalism benefits one, the other is unaffected (ex: barnacles on whales).
Explain how biomagnification can affect humans.
Humans may eat contaminated fish, leading to health issues like brain damage or reproductive problems.
What role do bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?
They help fix, nitrify, and denitrify nitrogen in different stages.