chapter 2 test

Spheres

Different components of the Earth system including atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, containing nitrogen, oxygen, argon, water vapor, and carbon dioxide.

Hydrosphere

Earth's water in solid, liquid, and gas forms, with 91% in oceans, including clouds, groundwater, and lakes.

Lithosphere

Earth's solid outer layer consisting of rocks and minerals, with mountains, ocean floors, and landscapes.

Biosphere

The zone where life exists, with conditions for survival, interacting with other spheres for sustainability.

Ecosystems

Living organisms and their physical and chemical environment, including biotic and abiotic factors.

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Nonliving (abiotic) and living (biotic) components of an ecosystem influencing sustainability.

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Processes converting energy, with photosynthesis producing oxygen and cellular respiration using it.

Food Webs and Food Chains

Illustrations of energy transfer in ecosystems, with food webs showing complex interactions.

Ecological Niche

The role a species plays in its ecosystem, including interactions with other organisms.

Consumer and Producers

Producers photosynthesize, while consumers include herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and scavengers.

Trophic Levels

Levels in a food chain, with energy transfer and only 10% passed to the next level.

Water Cycle

The movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and transpiration.

Carbon Cycle

Cycling of carbon through spheres, influenced by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

Nitrogen Cycle

Movement of nitrogen compounds through biotic and abiotic environments, involving fixation and denitrification.

Limiting Factor and Tolerance Range

Factors restricting population size and the range of conditions a species can survive in.

Species Interactions

Various interactions like competition, predation, mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism in ecosystems.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size an ecosystem can sustain, influenced by available resources and human activities.