portugal science test, 8th grade pt

Abiotic factors

Non-living elements of an ecosystem that influence the survival, distribution, and behavior of living organisms.

Main abiotic factors

Light, water, temperature, and soil.

Light

Essential for photosynthesis and affects animal behavior.

Water

Needed for biochemical reactions, nutrient transport, and habitat formation.

Temperature

Regulates metabolism and adaptation in organisms.

Soil

Determines the types of plants that can grow in an area, affecting the entire food chain.

Deserts

Ecosystems characterized by high temperatures, low water availability, and supportive of drought-resistant plants like cacti.

Tropical Rainforests

Ecosystems with high rainfall, warm temperatures, and nutrient-rich soil allowing for dense vegetation and biodiversity.

Tundras

Ecosystems with low temperatures, frozen soil, and limited precipitation, supporting only mosses and lichens.

Freshwater Ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems with low salinity, varying temperature, and oxygen levels, influencing aquatic life types.

Marine Ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems characterized by higher salinity, affecting the types of marine organisms present.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight to produce energy, forming the base of the food chain.

Photoperiodism

The phenomenon where some plants flower or bear fruit only under specific light conditions.

Circadian Rhythms

Daily activity patterns in animals influenced by light, such as diurnal vs. nocturnal behavior.

Migration

Seasonal movement of animals influenced by changes in daylight.

Primary Production

The rate at which plants produce organic matter through photosynthesis, supporting herbivores and predators.

Seasonal Changes

Variations in light availability with the seasons, affecting food availability and animal behavior.

Essential for Life Processes

The necessity of water for chemical reactions, temperature regulation, and nutrient transport in organisms.

Adaptations to Water Availability

Mechanisms evolved by organisms, like camels storing water and aquatic plants having air spaces for flotation.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and bodies of water.

Droughts

Extreme dry conditions leading to population decline, migration, and changes in species composition.

Floods

Extreme wet conditions that can drastically alter ecosystems and species populations.

Water Quality

The condition of water which affects the health of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Pollution

Contaminants introduced into water which can lead to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Temperature

A crucial abiotic factor that affects metabolism, survival, and geographical distribution of organisms.

Enzyme Activity

The functionality of enzymes which is influenced by temperature.

Cold Adaptations

Survival mechanisms in organisms like thick fur in polar bears or antifreeze in some frogs.

Heat Adaptations

Survival mechanisms in organisms like nocturnal activity in desert animals to avoid daytime heat.

Ecosystem Type

Classification of an area based on its abiotic factors such as water availability, temperature, and soil.

Species Adaptation

The adjustments organisms make to thrive in their specific abiotic environments.

Food Chain

The hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.