Unit 1: Biology - Ecosystems and Earth's Spheres

Vocabulary flashcards covering ecosystems, ecological hierarchy, biotic and abiotic factors, biomes, and Earth's four main spheres based on Unit 1 Biology lecture notes.

Ecosystem

All living organisms interacting with their environment, including physical and chemical surroundings.

Population

All individuals of the same species living in an ecosystem.

Community

All organisms living in the same ecosystem.

Biotic

Living things, their remains, and features, including nests, trees, and meat.

Abiotic

Non-living physical and chemical things, including phone, air, and water.

Biome

The largest division of the biosphere, consisting of large regions that have similar biotic and abiotic components.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, which includes $78\%$ nitrogen gas, $21\%$ oxygen gas, and $1\%$ other gases.

Lithosphere

Earth's solid outer layer, which includes soil and groundwater.

Hydrosphere

All Earth's water on the planet, which includes solid, liquid, and gas forms of water.

Biosphere

The zone around Earth where life can exist, which includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Ecological Levels of Organization

The hierarchy of living systems from smallest to largest: Individual $\rightarrow$ Population $\rightarrow$ Community $\rightarrow$ Ecosystem $\rightarrow$ Biome $\rightarrow$ Biosphere.

Impact on Lithosphere

Landfills contaminate soil and water.

Impact on Hydrosphere

Humans pollute water with garbage and chemicals.

Impact on Biosphere

Human activities result in habitat destruction and deforestation.