Biosphere Basics
Name one of the three zones in the biosphere.
Lithosphere (land), Hydrosphere (water), or Atmosphere (air)
What are producers?
Organisms (like plants) that make their own food using sunlight.
What does “endangered” mean?
A species close to extinction in all parts of the country.
What is a trophic level?
A level in a food chain based on how organisms get energy.
One human activity that helps species survive?
Examples: conservation programs, wildlife reserves, habitat restoration.
What’s the difference between a population and a community?
A population is one species in an area; a community is all species in that area.
Name a primary consumer.
Deer, Moose, cows, Rabbits, etc
Difference between “threatened” and “special concern”?
Threatened = likely to become endangered; Special concern = vulnerable due to low numbers or limited range.
Which trophic level has the most energy?
First trophic level – producers.
One activity that harms ecosystems?
Examples: pollution, deforestation, overhunting, urban sprawl.
Define “dynamic equilibrium.”
When a system can adjust to changes without disrupting the overall system.
What is a decomposer?
Organism that breaks down waste and dead matter (e.g., fungi, bacteria).
Why are amphibians good indicator species?
They live in both land and water; they are sensitive to pollution and changes in both.
Why is energy lost at each level?
Some energy is used or lost as heat (second law of thermodynamics).
Why do cockroaches thrive near humans?
Warmth, shelter, and food waste make ideal living conditions.
What does biodiversity mean? Why is it important?
Biodiversity is the number of species in an ecosystem. It's important for stability and resilience.
What happens if all decomposers disappear?
Nutrients wouldn’t recycle; waste and dead matter would build up.
Name 2 reasons frogs are disappearing.
Habitat loss, pollution, UV radiation, climate change.
Why do food chains usually only have 4 or 5 levels?
Because energy is lost at each trophic level, there isn't enough energy to support many levels. Each step up the food chain has less energy available, limiting the number of levels that can be sustained.
What might happen if humans remove a top predator?
Prey populations could explode, causing overgrazing or imbalance.
How can losing one species affect the food chain?
It can create a domino effect that disrupts the whole food chain.
Create a 4-step food chain.
Example: Sun → Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake
Should humans make a species extinct? Why or why not?
Opinion-based, but students should defend their view with ecological reasoning (e.g., food chains, biodiversity).
Why are top predators rare?
They need a lot of energy, but less energy is available at higher trophic levels.
Should we wipe out cockroaches with a spray? Why/why not?
Opinion-based — encourage answers like “they’re gross” vs. “they are decomposers and part of the food web.”