Ecology - Part 1

Carbon Cycle

100

This is the process that humans perform that contributes to the carbon cycle

What is respiration?

200

This is the process that plants contribute to the carbon cycle

What is photosynthesis?

300

This process produces the most carbon dioxide that is later mostly found in the atmosphere

What is combustion?

400

These things break down the carbon compounds found in dead organisms

What are decomposers?

500

This is the largest carbon sink or storage area on the planet

What is the ocean?

Nitrogen Cycle

100

2 forms of nitrogen

What are nitrates and nitrites?

200

This process creates ammonia from decaying organic matter

What is ammonification?

300

Without these organisms, most of the nitrogen would not be in a usable form

What are nitrogen fixing bacteria?

400

Consumers obtain nitrates by eating plants.  Plants absorb nitrates by doing this process

What is assimilation?

500

When excess fertilizers are used, extra nitrates get into the water system and cause this problem

What is eutrophication?

Biodiversity

100

This consist of all biotic and abiotic parts of an environment

What is an ecosystem?

200

The environment where an organism lives is known as this

What is a habitat?

300

Populations cannot continue to grow and grow exponentially due to these

What are limiting factors?

400

All living things on Earth make up this

What is the biosphere?

500

Over time, traits that assist in the survival of an organism are passed on to their offspring.  This process drives Evolution

What is Natural Selection?

Symbiotic Relationships 1

100

Competition between members of the same species

What is intraspecific competition?

200

These organisms can only eat plants because these are the things they have the enzymes to digest

What are Herbivores?

300

A bee and a flower both benefit from this type of relationship

What is mutualism?

400

How an organism uses its abiotic and biotic factors in its ecosystem

What is a niche?

500

Organisms that do this alter their behaviors so they can live together

What is species coexistence?

Symbiotic Relationships 2

100

A defense mechanism used by organisms to disguise their appearance

What is camouflage?

200

Competition between organisms of different species

What is intraspecific competition?

300

These organisms can digest both plants and animals

What are omnivores?

400

A bird making a nest in a tree is an example of this type of relationship

What is commensalism?

500

This type of relationship will harm you, but it won't kill you

What is parasitism?