Biology Lecture Review: Food Chains and Ecosystems

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on food chains, ecosystems, producers, consumers, ecological competition, and energy flow.

What are abiotic factors?

Moisture Temperature Ph and light intensity .

What do indicator species tell us about the environment?

They indicate the health of an ecosystem.

What are the limitations/errors when using a light meter?

Inaccurate readings due to environmental factors or incorrect use.

What is a food chain?

A food chain shows feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

What is a producer?

Green plants that produce their own food through photosynthesis.

What is a carnivore?

An animal that exclusively eats other animals.

What is a herbivore?

An animal that only eats plants.

What is an omnivore?

An animal that eats both plants and animals.

Define predator. How can an animal be both predator and prey?

A predator is an animal that hunts and kills other animals; some can be both if they hunt for food and also be hunted.

What is energy flow in a food chain?

Energy passes from one organism to another in a chain.

What percentage of energy is lost at each step in a food chain?

90% of energy is lost, 10% is stored.

What is the difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition?

Interspecific competition occurs between different species; intraspecific competition occurs between the same species.

How does competition affect ecosystems?

It can limit resources and cause population changes.

Define species.

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

What is a food web?

A diagram showing how food chains in a community are interconnected.

What happens to the ecosystem if a top predator is removed?

The population of prey may increase, leading to potential overgrazing and ecosystem imbalance.

How does energy transfer in a food chain?

Energy is transferred from producers to consumers through consumption.

What is the role of a primary consumer?

An organism that eats producers.

What do animals and plants depend on each other for in an ecosystem?

Food, pollination, shelter, etc.

What happened when wolves were introduced to Yellowstone Park?

The deer population decreased.

What is a pyramid of energy?

A diagram that shows the total energy at each trophic level in a food chain.

What defines a secondary consumer?

An organism that eats primary consumers.

What is the significance of a food web diagram?

It visually represents the relationships and dependencies among various organisms in an ecosystem.

What can lead to a decrease in prey population in an ecosystem?

An increase in predator population or loss of resources.