. The Living World Lecture Review

' This set of flashcards covers key concepts and terminology from the lecture on ecosystems, focusing on living and non-living components, food chains, human impacts, and adaptations.

What is an ecosystem?

A natural system made up of plants, animals, and the environment.

What are the two main components of an ecosystem?

Biotic (living) and Abiotic (non-living) components.

What do producers do in an ecosystem?

Producers convert sunlight into energy through processes like photosynthesis.

Define consumers in the context of an ecosystem.

Consumers get energy by consuming producers or other consumers.

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Decomposers break down dead material and return nutrients to the soil.

What is a food chain?

A diagram that shows direct links between producers and consumers.

What is the significance of interrelationships in ecosystems?

Interrelationships indicate how the living and non-living parts of ecosystems are linked and how these cause changes in ecosystems.

What can happen if there is a change in an ecosystem?

It can disrupt the balance and sustainability, affecting all components.

Give an example of human impact on ecosystems.

Deforestation can destroy habitats, impacting nutrient cycles and biodiversity.

Define biomes.

Global scale ecosystems characterized by specific climates and types of vegetation.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of life in a particular habitat.

How does climate change impact ecosystems?

Climate change can alter habitats, lead to extreme weather events, and disrupt the balance of ecosystems.

What is desertification?

The process where fertile land becomes desert due to various factors like drought and deforestation.

What adaptations do organisms have in deserts?

Organisms develop special features such as water storage in plants, nocturnal behaviors in animals, and characteristics to minimize water loss.