Ecosystems
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living and nonliving things interacting in a specific environment.
What do producers do?
They make their own food through photosynthesis or other processes.
What is a physical adaptation?
A body feature that helps an organism survive, like fur or claws.
What is mutualism?
A relationship where both species benefit.
What is primary succession?
The formation of an ecosystem starting with no soil, like after a volcanic eruption.
Name two types of ecosystems.
Deserts, forests, marine, grasslands, or tundra.
How much energy is passed to the next level in a food chain?
10%
What is a behavioral adaptation?
An action or behavior that helps an organism survive, like migration.
What is parasitism?
A relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed.
What is a pioneer species?
The first species to colonize barren environments, like lichens or mosses.
Which type of ecosystem is characterized by ice year round?
Tundra
What type of consumer eats producers directly?
Primary consumers.
Name one physical and one behavioral adaptation of a polar bear.
Answer: Physical: Thick fur; Behavioral: Hunting seals.
Give an example of commensalism.
Birds nesting in trees.
How does secondary succession differ from primary succession?
Secondary succession starts with soil, often after a disturbance like a forest fire.
What is biodiversity, and why is it important?
The variety of life in an area; it helps ecosystems stay resilient and stable.
Draw a food chain with a producer, primary consumer, and secondary consumer.
Example: Grass → Rabbit → Fox.
How do adaptations help organisms survive in their ecosystems?
They increase the chance of survival by making organisms better suited to their environment.
What is an invasive species?
A non-native organism that disrupts ecosystems by reducing biodiversity.
How can natural selection lead to evolution?
Traits that help organisms survive are passed on, gradually changing the species.
Explain how coral bleaching impacts marine ecosystems.
Coral bleaching causes corals to expel algae, leading to loss of habitat and biodiversity.
Why does energy decrease as you move up the food chain?
Organisms use 90% of energy for life processes, leaving only 10% to pass on
Explain the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations with examples.
Physical adaptations are structural traits like camouflage; behavioral adaptations are actions like nocturnal hunting.
Explain the "Blender Effect" caused by invasive species.
Invasive species "blend" ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and making ecosystems more uniform.
Why are forest fires sometimes beneficial for ecosystems?
They clear dead material, release nutrients into the soil, and allow new growth.