Year 9 Science Term 1 Review

Flashcards based on Year 9 Science lecture notes covering Ecosystems and Nervous Systems.

What is the definition of an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is where interactions between biotic and abiotic factors are.

Define biotic factors and give an example.

Biotic factors are living organisms such as plants and animals. An example is mutalism.

What are abiotic factors? Provide an example.

Abiotic factors are non-living components like water and temperature.

How does water influence an organism's survival?

Water is needed for drinking and growing.

What is mutualism? Provide an example.

Mutualism is where two organisms live closely and both benefit. Example: Bees and flowers.

Describe commensalism with an example.

Commensalism is where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected, e.g., birds and herbivores.

What is a structural adaptation? Give an example.

A structural adaptation is a body part that helps an organism survive, e.g., wings on a bat.

What is the role of the Central Nervous System?

The Central Nervous System processes, receives, and responds to information.

What function does the hypothalamus serve in the human body?

The hypothalamus links the nervous system and the endocrine and controls body temperature, metabolism, and water content.

Describe the flow of energy in food webs.

Energy flows in one direction and is lost as heat; it is recycled through the ecosystem.

What is the definition of homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment in the human body.

How do hormones function in the body?

Hormones act as messengers transported around the body to target specific cells.

What is the role of the medulla in the brain?

The medulla controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Explain the predator-prey relationship with an example.

In a predator-prey relationship, one organism (the predator) hunts another organism (the prey) for food. Example: Fox and rabbit.

What is the function of neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are released to transmit messages across a synapse to the next neuron.

What defines a reflex action? Give an example.

A reflex action is an involuntary response to a stimulus, e.g., pulling your hand away from something hot.