Energy Flow in Ecosystems
What is a trophic level?
one of the steps in a food chain or food pyramid; examples include producers and primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers.
How is matter recycled in an ecosystem?
When organisms conume energy from matter (their food), the matter will return to the soil and be reused when they excrete waste or their bodies decompose.
What is asexual reproduction?
Reproduction from a single parent organism, which creates a clone.
What is natural selection?
Only organisms who change and adapt to their environment will survive. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
What is the primary funciton of the circulatory system?
To pump blood which carries oxygen and nutrients TO cells and carbon dioxide FROM cells
Explain how energy is transferred between different trophic levels? (hint: discuss the "_____ rule")
Organisms absorb 10% of their energy provided by their food, 90% is lost as heat energy
How does energy from the sun sustain ecosystems?
Producers absorb radiant energy and convert it to food energy (photosysnthesis), which makes the energy available for other organisms
How does sexual reproduction contribute to genetic diversity?
two different parents = 2 sets of DNA, and results in an entirely new unique set of DNA in the offspring
How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?
Artificial selection means that humans breed specific organisms to produce specific traits, natural selection occurs without human intervention
Name the main organs involved in the respiratory system.
Lungs, Trachea
What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?
Producers PRODUCE their own food (autrophic), making energy available to other trophic levels
What would happen if producers were removed from a food web?
There would be no way for radiant energy to be converted to usable energy and consumed by other organisms.
Compare the offspring of asexual and sexual reproduction.
Asexual = Offspring is an exact clone
Sexual = Offspring are unique and different from siblings and their parents
Give an example of a trait that has changed in a population due to natural selection.
Answers may vary
Examples:
Thick fur
Sharp claws
Mating calls
Describe the role of the digestive system in the human organism.
The system breaks down food to extract nutrients, and removes solid waste from the body
How does energy decrease as you move up the energy pyramid?
90% of energy is lost at each ascending trophic level
Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into _________ and __________.
oxygen, glucose
True or False: Asexual populations have no opportunity to develop genetic variation. EXPLAIN
False: The only opportunity for genetic variation in asexual organisms is for them to randomly develop mutations
Give an example of a trait that can be altered by artifical selection.
Examples:
Body Size, Musculature, Milk Production, Disease ResistanceWhat is the role of the endocrine system?
releasing hormones which send chemical messages to the body (growth, adrenaline, etc)
Why are there fewer consumers at the top of the energy pyramid compared to lower levels?
An ecosystem's population relies on the amount of low level organisms, who provide energy to upper levels (less producers = less food for consumers)
Why is it important for ecosystems to have a lot of biodiversity?
Different types of life increase the ecosystem's chances of surviving challenges such as disease and prey shortage.
Explain how reproduction impacts the adaptability of a species.
Answers may vary
Examples:
AR= now adaptations except for random variations
SR = unique DNA means increased chance of survival
Discuss the potential consequences of artificial selection on biodiversity.
AS can lead to unintended consequences, like health problems and deformities,
Explain the function of the immune system in protecting the body.
Using white blood cells to fight off infection to keep the body healthy