The Biosphere
What is the biosphere?
The part of Earth where living things exist.
What does a “closed system” mean?
Nothing can enter or leave.
What does ecology study?
How living things interact with each other and their environment.
What is a biotic factor?
living thing
What do herbivores eat?
Plants.
What are the three main parts of the biosphere?
Land, water, and air.
What is an “open system”?
Energy and matter can move in and out.
What is a scientist who studies ecology called?
ecologist
What is an abiotic factor?
nonliving thing
What do carnivores eat?
other animals --- meat
True or False: The biosphere includes only living things.
False — it includes living and nonliving parts.
is Earth more like a closed or open system?
Mostly closed (except for sunlight entering and heat leaving).
Why is ecology important?
It helps us learn how to care for our planet.
Give one example of a biotic factor.
Examples: dog, tree, bird, fish, human, etc
What do omnivores eat?
Both plants and animals.
What makes Earth’s biosphere special compared to other planets?
It supports life!
Why is sunlight important in an open system?
It gives energy to living things on Earth.
Which is the smallest level of ecology — organism, population, or ecosystem?
organism
Give one example of an abiotic factor.
Examples: air, rock, sunlight, water, temperature, etc.
What is a scavenger?
An animal that eats dead animals.
How do the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere work together?
They all help living things survive by providing air, water, and land.
What happens if energy couldn’t enter Earth’s system?
Plants couldn’t grow, and life wouldn’t survive.
Put these in order from smallest to largest: organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.
Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere.
Why do living things need abiotic factors?
They depend on them for air, water, sunlight, and shelter.
What is a detritivore?
An animal that eats dead plants and waste.