Biology-cycles and food web/chains

What is the water cycle?

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere.

What are the main stages of the water cycle?

The main stages are evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.

What is evaporation?

Evaporation is the process by which water changes from liquid to vapor.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process where water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets.

What is precipitation?

Precipitation is any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, such as rain or snow.

What is collection in the water cycle?

Collection refers to water gathering in bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.

What is the food chain?

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next in the chain.

What is a producer?

A producer is an organism that can create its own food, typically through photosynthesis.

What is a consumer?

A consumer is an organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms.

What is a decomposer?

A decomposer breaks down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.

Describe a primary consumer.

A primary consumer is an herbivore that eats producers.

Describe a secondary consumer.

A secondary consumer is a carnivore that eats primary consumers.

What is a food web?

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.

How does energy flow in a food chain?

Energy flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers.

What is the carbon cycle?

The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere.

What role do plants play in the carbon cycle?

Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, converting it into glucose.

What is respiration in the carbon cycle?

Respiration is the process by which organisms consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

What is combustion?

Combustion is the burning of fossil fuels which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Define carbon sink.

A carbon sink is a natural reservoir that stores carbon, such as forests or oceans.

Define carbon source.

A carbon source is anything that releases more carbon than it absorbs.

What is the significance of the water cycle?

The water cycle is crucial for distributing heat and maintaining the Earth's climate.

What human activities impact the carbon cycle?

Human activities like deforestation and fossil fuel combustion disrupt the carbon cycle.

How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?

Deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide, increasing atmospheric CO2 levels.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the process where plants release water vapor into the atmosphere.

Describe a trophic level.

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or ecological pyramid.

What is bioaccumulation?

Bioaccumulation is the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in an organism.

What is biomagnification?

Biomagnification is the increasing concentration of toxins in organisms at higher trophic levels.

What is a keystone species?

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

Explain the concept of ecological succession.

Ecological succession is the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.

What is a habitat?

A habitat is the natural environment where an organism lives.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Define food security.

Food security is the state where all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

What is an energy pyramid?

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation of the energy flow in an ecosystem, showing energy loss at each trophic level.

What is a niche?

A niche is the role or function of an organism within its ecosystem.

What is symbiosis?

Symbiosis is a close interaction between two different organisms, often benefiting one or both.

What is mutualism?

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

What is parasitism?

Parasitism is a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

What is commensalism?

Commensalism is a relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

What is nutrient cycling?

Nutrient cycling is the movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

What is the role of soil in the carbon cycle?

Soil acts as a reservoir for carbon, storing organic matter that can be released or absorbed.

What is algal bloom?

An algal bloom is an overgrowth of algae in water bodies, typically caused by nutrient runoff, leading to oxygen depletion.

What is ecological footprint?

An ecological footprint measures human demand on nature, representing the amount of natural capital used.

Describe desertification.

Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is the trapping of the sun's warmth in the Earth's lower atmosphere due to greenhouse gases.

What role do fungi play in ecosystems?

Fungi decompose organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

What is the significance of biodiversity?

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity and resilience, ensuring natural sustainability.

What is an invasive species?

An invasive species is a non-native species that spreads widely in a new habitat, often harming existing ecosystems.

Define conservation.

Conservation is the responsible management of the Earth's resources to prevent habitat loss.

How does climate change affect the water cycle?

Climate change alters precipitation patterns and increases evaporation rates.