Chapter 8
Can the ocean be considered part of the biosphere? Explain.
Yes, since it contains living organisms that live there.
What factors INCREASE population size?
Births, Immigration
Organize these in DESCENDING order (most general to most specific).
-Ecosystem, Population, Individual, Community
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Individual
Biodiversity depends on what 2 things?
-Species richness
-Relative abundance (%)
Which step(s) of the carbon cycle DECREASE the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
-Forest fires
-Respiration
-Photosynthesis
-Ingestion
Photosynthesis
Take out a calculator.
"There is an estimated Montreal population of 4337000 people, in an area of about 4600 km2. What is the population density of Montreal?"
Population density = 4 337 000/4600
= ~943 people/km2
What is an example of organic matter? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary.
Examples: lipids, proteins, glucose... Something that is produced by living organisms.
What type of matter do decomposers get, and what type of matter do they provide for producers?
They receive organic matter and break it down into inorganic matter for the producers.
List at least 3 factors that affect terrestrial biomes.
Any 3 of these:
-Latitude
-Altitude
-Temperature
-Precipitation
-Soil type
-Exposure to sunlight
-Winds
-Proximity to bodies of water
Give an example of two organisms whose relationship fits "commensalism".
Example: Bird and Tree (bird benefits by making nest, but tree is unaffected)
Explain the flow of energy in a food chain. Is it conserved in the highest level consumer? Is it conserved in general? Explain.
"Energy is neither created or destroyed, only transformed or transferred"
List at least 3 factors that affect aquatic biomes.
Any 3 of these:
-Salinity, temperature, direction & strength of current, presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide gas, exposure to sunlight, nutrients, depth
How is the calcium carbonate from shells & skeletons of aquatic life involved in the carbon cycle?
The shells and skeletons fall to the bottom of the ocean floor where they accumulate, over time forming carbonate rock. Tectonic activity can eventually bring that to the surface.
There are two types of competition. What are they? Explain each one.
Intraspecific - competition between individuals of the SAME species
Interspecific - competition between individuals of DIFFERENT species
What is the difference between biomass and primary productivity?
Biomass is the mass of ALL the organic matter in an ecosystem.
Primary productivity is the amount of NEW biomass generated by its producers.
Use the biological cycle diagram here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_cycle#/media/File:Predator_prey_curve.png) to explain it using an example. (Decide on a prey and predator, and explain the diagram to the class)
Explanations will vary. Key to note that often, there are more prey than predators.
Explain the role that photosynthesis plays in the carbon cycle. (Include what form of carbon are we starting with, ending with, increase or decrease carbon in atmosphere)
Plants use water and solar energy to capture CARBON DIOXIDE. The chemical process converts this into GLUCOSE and oxygen. This decreases the carbon (in CO2) from the atmosphere.
Take out your calculator and work this out on paper/white board.
"Scientists have recently discovered a gorgeous rainbow fish in the St.Lawrence River. They came from a different place (they immigrated!) and scientists are curious to know how many are now here. First, they catch 10, tag them and release them. Later, they catch 30, and see that 7 are tagged. What is the estimated total population of glamorous rainbow fish?"
10/x = 7/30
x = ~43 fish
3 part question:
-Give an example of a natural disturbance.
-Give an example of a human disturbance.
-What is it called when an ecosystem undergoes a series of changes to regain a state of balance? And how long does that take?
- many answers possible for human
-Ecological succession. Can take 100s to 1000s of years.
What kinds of processes are associated with each of the following examples? (biogeochemical cycles)
a) combustion or synthesis
b) rock erosion and sedimentation
c) respiration and digestion
a) chemical
b) geological
c) biological