Plastics
Synthetic
What is the large accumulation of plastic in the pacific ocean called?
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Finish the sentence... High biodiversity in an area means that there is...
A large variety of living things.
What type of organism goes through photosynthesis?
Producers
TRUE or FALSE. Food, air, and water are all types of matter.
True.
What are the molecules that make plastics called?
Polymers
Select which of the following are ways that humans threaten ecosystems.
A) Pollution
B) Agriculture
C) Drought
D) Storms
Pollution and Agriculture.
Explain why decomposers are extremely important parts of ecosystems.
Decomposers break down waste into nutrients (carbon) that can be cycled back into the ecosystem through photosynthesis.
Where do producers get their matter?
Carbon dioxide and water
What do we obtain from the food we eat?
A) Matter to grow and repair our bodies
B) The ability to photosyntehsize
C) Energy to move, grow, and function
D) Light energy so we can see
Matter to grow and repair our bodies and energy to move, grow and function.
Why does plastic not biodegrade?
The molecules in plastic are too strongly bonded together.
However, there is hope! We have found a type of bacteria that does break down plastic!
What are the 6Rs?
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Refuse, Repair.
True or false. In general, ecosystems are more resilient if they have high biodiversity.
True.
Explain why producers are vital to ecosystems.
They are the source of energy for all consumers. Consumers can't make their own energy, but producers can!
What is the ultimate source of energy for most food chains?
The sun!
What attributes do plastics with cross links have?
They are strong, durable and have high melting points.
Identify one way that we humans can reduce our impact on marine ecosystems
Reduce carbon emissions, decrease plastic use, recycle more, reuse plastic etc.
You go on a hike in a heavily forested national park. Give three examples of what you might see or hear that would be evidence of high levels of biodiversity in the forest.
You might experience multiple different kinds of plants, multiple different bird calls, multiple different types of bugs.
water plants --> small fish --> large fish
A number of large fish are removed from the lake ecosystem by fishing. According to the food web, the number of water plants would...
Increase.
Name the process that releases the stored energy in sugars to power the functions and activities of living things.
Explain why the problem of plastic pollution and its effects on natural environments started to grow rapidly in the 1950s.
People saw plastic as disposable, so they bought and used more of it. They created a new kind of plastic that was stronger, but allowed for more flexibilty in uses so it was used in manufacturing more often.
How does AI use impact ecosystems?
Generative AI (like chatgpt) use more electricity than most cities and towns can support, leading to more burning of fossil fuels and more greenhouse gases released. Generative AI uses 4.2–6.6 billion cubic meters of water which threatens local ecosystems. This is more water than some countries use.
An invasive beetle is introduced to the lake ecosystem. The beetle eats water plants. It has no natural predators in the ecosystem.
Predict the changes that would occur in the ecosystem. Refer to patterns in population changes to support your answer.
The population of beetles would increase until it ate all the plants. Then it would decrease rapidly until it leveled out at carrying capacity. The water plant's population would decrease.
Explain why only some of the energy consumed by a wood rat can be transferred up the food chain to a red-tailed hawk.
Energy and matter is lost as waste, death, heat and in respiration.
Explain how photosynthesis plays an essential role in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
Photosynthesis causes light energy to be converted to chemical energy, which can be used by organisms. It cycles carbon back into the system as well.