earth's spheres, biotic v. abiotic factors, biomes quiz - honors earth & environmental science

hydrosphere

the sphere that includes all the water on earth, like oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds, and also the water in the air and groundwater. (hint: “hydro” is the Greek word for water)

biosphere

the sphere that contains all life on earth, all living organisms in all biomes, including plants and animals. (hint: “bio” is the Greek word for life)

geosphere/lithosphere

the sphere with the earth itself: all the rocks, soil, and minerals on earth. (hint: “geo” is the Greek word for ground, “litho” is the Greek word for stone)

atmosphere

the sphere that contains all the gases surrounding the planet, which is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases. (hint: “atmos” is the Greek word for air)

cryosphere

included in the hydrosphere: all frozen water on earth, like the glaciers and ice caps. (hint: “cryo” is the Greek word for ice)

ecosystem

a community of organisms and their environment, including all living and non-living factors.

biotic factor

living organisms and their remains, including people, plants, animals, fungi and bacteria

abiotic factor

non-living components of an ecosystem, including soil, water, weather, and temperature

what are the characteristics of living things?

can reproduce offspring, will respond to stimuli, use energy, have cells, have DNA, does respiration, can grow and develop

biome

a large area characterized by it’s vegetation, soil, climate, and wildlife

tropical rainforest

found in areas near the equator

high yearly rainfall and relatively & contantly warm temperatures

have the highest biodiversity and primary productivity of any biome

temperate deciduous forest

cool winters, warm summers, and high, year-round precipitation

dominant trees drop their leaves each winter

relatively high biodiversity due to niche partitioning and forest layers

tundra

short growing seasons

temperatures below zero degrees for most of the year

low biodiversity, vegetation dominated by low-growing plants

coniferous forest (taiga)

dominated by needle-leaved, drought tolerant evergreen trees

long, cold winters and short, cool summers

low biodiversity

over story of trees and ground layer of herbs and mosses

desert

most common biome: covers 26-35% of earth’s land surface

low precipitation

plant biomass is made of shrubs with extensive roots and small gray or white leaves

grassland

large seasonal temperature variation: hot summers and cold winters

community and productivity depend on precipitation

high precipitation: tall grass prairie with high grass biodiversity, low precipitation: arid, short grass prairie

producer

convert abiotic factors into their own food, like plants and photosynthesis

consumer

eat producers and other consumers to get energy, most commonly animals. 

decomposers

break down dead producers and consumers for food, most commonly fungi

sunlight

a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the sun and filtered by the atmosphere

soil

earth that plants grow in; is eroded and weathered, different types exist