science; abiotic factors

0.0(0)
studied byStudied by 0 people
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
Card Sorting

1/30

Study Analytics
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced

No study sessions yet.

31 Terms

1
New cards
Abiotic factors
Non-living elements of an ecosystem that influence the survival, distribution, and behavior of living organisms.
2
New cards
Main abiotic factors
Light, water, temperature, and soil.
3
New cards
Light
Essential for photosynthesis and affects animal behavior.
4
New cards
Water
Needed for biochemical reactions, nutrient transport, and habitat formation.
5
New cards
Temperature
Regulates metabolism and adaptation in organisms.
6
New cards
Soil
Determines the types of plants that can grow in an area, affecting the entire food chain.
7
New cards
Deserts
Ecosystems characterized by high temperatures, low water availability, and supportive of drought-resistant plants like cacti.
8
New cards
Tropical Rainforests
Ecosystems with high rainfall, warm temperatures, and nutrient-rich soil allowing for dense vegetation and biodiversity.
9
New cards
Tundras
Ecosystems with low temperatures, frozen soil, and limited precipitation, supporting only mosses and lichens.
10
New cards
Freshwater Ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems with low salinity, varying temperature, and oxygen levels, influencing aquatic life types.
11
New cards
Marine Ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems characterized by higher salinity, affecting the types of marine organisms present.
12
New cards
Photosynthesis
The process by which plants use sunlight to produce energy, forming the base of the food chain.
13
New cards
Photoperiodism
The phenomenon where some plants flower or bear fruit only under specific light conditions.
14
New cards
Circadian Rhythms
Daily activity patterns in animals influenced by light, such as diurnal vs. nocturnal behavior.
15
New cards
Migration
Seasonal movement of animals influenced by changes in daylight.
16
New cards
Primary Production
The rate at which plants produce organic matter through photosynthesis, supporting herbivores and predators.
17
New cards
Seasonal Changes
Variations in light availability with the seasons, affecting food availability and animal behavior.
18
New cards
Essential for Life Processes
The necessity of water for chemical reactions, temperature regulation, and nutrient transport in organisms.
19
New cards
Adaptations to Water Availability
Mechanisms evolved by organisms, like camels storing water and aquatic plants having air spaces for flotation.
20
New cards
Water Cycle
The continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and bodies of water.
21
New cards
Droughts
Extreme dry conditions leading to population decline, migration, and changes in species composition.
22
New cards
Floods
Extreme wet conditions that can drastically alter ecosystems and species populations.
23
New cards
Water Quality
The condition of water which affects the health of ecosystems and biodiversity.
24
New cards
Pollution
Contaminants introduced into water which can lead to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem health.
25
New cards
Temperature
A crucial abiotic factor that affects metabolism, survival, and geographical distribution of organisms.
26
New cards
Enzyme Activity
The functionality of enzymes which is influenced by temperature.
27
New cards
Cold Adaptations
Survival mechanisms in organisms like thick fur in polar bears or antifreeze in some frogs.
28
New cards
Heat Adaptations
Survival mechanisms in organisms like nocturnal activity in desert animals to avoid daytime heat.
29
New cards
Ecosystem Type
Classification of an area based on its abiotic factors such as water availability, temperature, and soil.
30
New cards
Species Adaptation
The adjustments organisms make to thrive in their specific abiotic environments.
31
New cards
Food Chain
The hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.