Carbon Cycle
What gas do plants take in during photosynthesis?
Carbon Dioxide
What form of nitrogen can plants directly use?
nitrate or ammonium
What does biodiversity mean?
the variety of living organisms in an ecosystem
What does carrying capacity mean?
the maximum number of individuals an environment can support
What is a producer in a food web?
an organism that makes its own food, like a plant
Name the process by which animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
respiration
What type of bacteria convert nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants?
nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Name one benefit of high biodiversity.
ecosystem stability or resilience
What happens when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?
resources become limited and the population may decline
What trophic level do herbivores occupy?
the primary consumer level
What is the term for carbon stored in fossil fuels?
carbon storage or fossil carbon
What process returns nitrogen to the atmosphere?
denitrification
How can habitat destruction affect biodiversity?
it decreases biodiversity by destroying living spaces
Name one factor that can change an ecosystem’s carrying capacity.
availability of food, water, or habitat
What is the role of decomposers in a food web?
they break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients
How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?
it reduces the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants?
How do decomposers contribute to the nitrogen cycle?
they break down dead organisms and release nitrogen back into the soil
What is an invasive species?
a non-native species that harms native species and ecosystems
How do limiting factors affect population growth?
they slow or stop growth by restricting resources
Why is energy transfer between trophic levels inefficient?
energy is lost as heat and through life processes
Explain how the ocean acts as a carbon sink.
the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in water and marine organisms?
Why is nitrogen important for living organisms?
it is a key component of proteins and DNA
Explain how biodiversity loss can impact human health
it can reduce resources like medicines and increase disease spread
Explain how human activity can alter carrying capacity.
pollution or habitat destruction can lower carrying capacity
Explain how removing a top predator can affect a food web.
it can cause population imbalances and disrupt energy flow