bio written work 1

first 3 layers of the earth

lithosphere, asthenosphere, mantle

three types of plate boundaries

divergent, convergent, transform

motion of divergent boundaries

two plates moving away from each other

motion of convergent boundaries

two plates moving towards each other

motion of transform boundaries

two plates rubbing against each other

what type of boundary is a divergent boundary?

constructive

what type of boundary is a convergent boundary?

destructive

what type of boundary is a transform boundary?

conservative

plate classifications

major, minor, micro

3 causes of plate motion

mantle convection, ridge push, slab pull

describe how mantle convection causes plate motion

as hot material from the mantle rises and falls when cooled, it creates a continuous drag on the lithosphere above, causing seafloor spreading

describe how ridge push works, and how it causes plate motion

as magma heats up the asthenosphere, the rocks expand and decrease in density, pushing up the lithosphere above, which causes gravity to pull it down, pushing apart older plate material

describe how slab pull works, and how it causes plate motion

the older and denser leading edge of a plate sinks into the mantle at subduction zones, dragging the rest of the plate along with it

three types of convergent boundaries

oceanic-continental, oceanic-oceanic, continental-continental

describe what occurs in an oceanic-continental boundary

the oceanic plate sinks into the mantle, forming an oceanic trench. meanwhile, magma rises to the surface of the continental plate, forming island arcs and volcanic chains

describe what occurs in an oceanic-oceanic boundary

the older and heavier plate subducts underneath the heavier point until it melts and causes magma to rise, forming volcanoes

describe what occurs in a continental-continental boundary

the two plates smash, crumple, and buckle sideways to form mountain ranges

how do earthquakes occur?

sudden release of stored energy in rocks when two plates get stuck due to friction

how do volcanic eruptions occur?

when low density of magma causes it to rise to the surface, escaping out of vents in the lithosphere

how do tsunamis occur?

when an earthquake happens on the ocean floor, a large amount of water is displaced due to stored energy

what three theories support the existence of tectonic plates?

continental drift theory, seafloor spreading, mantle convection

define carrying capacity of an ecosystem

the maximum number of individuals an environment can support sustainably over time w/o being degraded

what is a biotic factor?

a factor involving living things that can affect an ecosystem’s carrying capacity or population

examples of biotic factors

other organisms, competition, predation, mutualism, parasitism, pathogens

what are abiotic factors?

a factor involving non-living things that can affect an ecosystem

examples of abiotic factors

air, water, light, pH level, wind, soil, temperature, salinity, humidity

define degraded carrying capacity

when an ecosystem’s carrying capacity is permanently lowered and has less resources

define overshooting population

when the population in an ecosystem is above its carrying capacity

define a stable population

when the population in an ecosystem is ideal or below its carrying capacity

shape of exponential growth curve

j-shape

shape of logistic growth curve

s-shape

formula for population change during exponential growth

growth rate x current population

formula to measure exponential growth over time (doubles)

(initial population x 2) ^ total time/doubling time

formula for population change during logistic growth

growth rate x current population (1 - current population/carrying capacity)