Interactions with the Environment

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Biotic Factors

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65 Terms

1

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem (plants, animals, bacteria).

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2

Abiotic Factors

Non-living physical and chemical components of an ecosystem (sunlight, temperature, water, soil).

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3
  • Predators (e.g., wolves)

  • Prey (e.g., rabbits)

  • Producers (e.g., plants, algae, some bacteria)

  • Consumers (e.g., animals, humans)

  • Decomposers (e.g., fungi)

examples of biotic factors

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4
  • Light intensity

  • pH levels

  • Water Availabilit

  • Temperature

  • Soil Composition

examples of abiotic factors

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5

Light intensity

Abiotic factor that Influences photosynthesis rates in plants.

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6

pH levels

Abiotic factor that Influence the chemical reactions in the soil and water, affecting plant and animal life.

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7

Water Availability

Abiotic factor that Essential for all living organisms, influencing their distribution and behavior.

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8

Temperature

Abiotic factor that Affects metabolic rates and enzyme activity in organisms.

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9

Soil Composition

Abiotic factor that Affects plant growth and the types of organisms that can inhabit an area

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10

Acidic

_____ soils can limit plant growth

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11

Sandy

_____ soils drain quickly

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12

neutral pH

_________ soils supports diverse plant life

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13

clay

____ soils retain water.

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14

abiotic

Organisms often adapt to their ______ environment

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15

antifreeze proteins

fish in colder waters may have _____________ in their blood to prevent freezing

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16

adaptations

Organisms have specific __________ that help them survive in their particular environments

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17

Cacti

_____ in deserts have thick, fleshy stems that store water and spines that reduce water loss and deter herbivores.

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18

Polar Bears

____________ have thick fur and a layer of fat to insulate against cold temperatures in Arctic regions.

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19

depth

In aquatic environments, light availability decreases with _____, influencing the types of plants and animals found at different depths.

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20

Ectotherms

cold-blooded animals

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21

Endotherms

warm-blooded animals

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22

reptiles

________ rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. They bask in the sun to warm up and seek shade to cool down.

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23

sphagnum moss

Acidic waters (low pH) in some bogs and swamps support specialized plant species like ___________, which can tolerate low pH levels.

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24

stability

The balance between biotic and abiotic factors contributes to ecosystem’s _______

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25

shifts

Changes in abiotic factors like climate change can disrupt this balance, leading to _____ in species composition and ecosystem function.

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26

succession

Over time, ecosystems can undergo ___________, a process where the structure and composition of a community change due to biotic and abiotic factors. For example, after a forest fire (abiotic), pioneer species (biotic) like grasses and shrubs quickly colonize the area, followed by trees and larger plants as the ecosystem matures.

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27

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with one another and their physical environment.

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28

Community

Different populations of organisms living and interacting in a particular area.

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29

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants via photosynthesis)

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30

Consumers

Organisms that eat other organisms

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31

herbivores

Animals that eat plants

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32

carnivores

Animals that eat other animals

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33

Primary Consumers

Secondary Consumers

Tertiary Consumers

3 types of consumers

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34

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead material, returning nutrients to the soil. 

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35

bacteria, fungi

example of decomposers

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36

Food Chains

Linear sequences showing who eats whom.

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37

Food Webs

Complex networks of interlinked food chains. They provide a more realistic representation of how organisms in an ecosystem interact.

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38

biodiversity

High _________ increases ecosystem stability and resilience. It ensures that there are multiple species that can perform essential ecological functions.

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39

Sunlight

Primary source of energy for most ecosystems

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40

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy.

Equation: 

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂  

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41

Trophic Levels

Levels in a food chain or food web.

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42

10

Only about __% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, with the rest lost as heat. This energy loss limits the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem

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43

Pyramids of Biomass

Show the relative amount of living organic matter available at each trophic level. They typically have a broad base (producers) and a narrow top (top predators)

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44

trophic levels

The efficiency of energy transfer affects the number of ______ ____ an ecosystem can support. They typically have a broad base (producers) and a narrow top (top predators).

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45
  • Photosynthesis

  • Respiration

  • Decomposition

  • Combustion

Carbon Cycle Processes

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46

Nitrogen Fixation

Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form by bacteria.

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47

Nitrification

Conversion of ammonia into nitrates

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48

Assimilation

Plants absorb nitrates

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49

Denitrification

Conversion of nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen

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50

Nutrient

_________ cycles ensure the availability of essential elements for life. They maintain ecosystem productivity and support life processes.

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51

eutrophication

Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to nutrient runoff, causing ___________ in water bodies.

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52

Carbon Cycle

What cycle?

A tree absorbs CO2 during photosynthesis. When the tree dies, decomposers break it down, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere. If the tree is burned, CO2 is released rapidly.

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53

Nitrogen Cycle

What cycle?

Legume plants have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is then used by the plant.

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54

Pollution

Sources: Industrial processes and waste disposal contribute to air, water, and soil pollution.

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55

Air Pollution

Water Pollution

Soil Pollution

types of pollution

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56

Air Pollution

Emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere (e.g., sulfur dioxide from industrial processes).

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57

Water Pollution

Contamination of water bodies (e.g., oil spills, plastic waste).

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58

Soil Pollution

Degradation of soil quality (e.g., heavy metals from industrial waste).

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59

Health Problems

Ecosystem Damage

Climate Change

effects of pollution

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60

Climate Change

Increased greenhouse gases from human activities lead to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.

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61

Conservation Strategies

______ ______ like protecting natural habitats and sustainable resource use aim to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.

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62

Reforestation

Planting trees in deforested areas to restore ecosystems and sequester carbon.

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63

Reforestation

Protected Areas

conservation examples

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64

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

A massive collection of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, affecting marine life

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65

Deforestation in the Amazon

Leading to habitat loss, reduction in biodiversity, and increased CO2 levels

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