Ecology Test

the carbon cycle moves from

the atmosphere to plants through the use of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis

carbon moves from the plants to animals through…

the food chain

biomass

organisms that store and release carbon are often called

through the decomposition of biomass…

• dead plants and animals return carbon to the soil (geosphere).  Some will become fossil fuels in millions of years.

cellular respiration

• releases carbon dioxide gas back into the atmosphere.

combustion

fossil fuels such as oil and coal are burned and release carbon back into the atmosphere

oceans- hydrosphere absorb what from the air?

carbon

competition

• is an ecological relationship in which multiple organisms of the same species or different species are fighting for the same resource (s) – 

• Food, water, shelter, mates, habitat, etc.

symbiotic relationships

or symbiosis, are ecological relationships that occur between individuals of two (or more) different species.  These close interactions often affect the species’ population abundance (how many) and distribution (where they are found)

predation

 is an ecological relationship in which one species, the predator feeds on and often kills another organism, the prey.

predator prey relationships

don’t only involve meat  eaters. Herbivores are considered predators, because while they feed on plants instead of animals, they may kill off the plant or put pressu

mutualism

• Mutualism- both species benefit from the relationship

• Example: flowers and bees

(+) (+)

commensalism

• Commensalism- one benefits, the other is not helped or harmed

• Example: barnacles and whales

parasitism

• Parasitism- One organism benefits (the parasite) and the other is harmed (the host).

• Example: tick and dog

                     (+) (-)

chemosynthesis is

where light inst available some bacteria conver inorganic molecules into food

dentrivores are

fragments of dead matter

photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a process in which sunlight energy is used to make 

glucose.

photosynthesis happens in

he chloroplast – an organelle  

found in the leaves of green plants. The main functions of chloroplasts  

are to produce food (glucose) during photosynthesis,

chlorotplasts contain

the pigment, chlorophyll.

chlorophyll absorbs

most of the colors in the color spectrum, and reflects only green and  

yellow wavelengths of light. This is why we see leaves as green or yellow – 

because these colors are reflected into our eyes.

molecular formula for glucose

C₆H₁₂O₆.

plants make suger by

using the energy from sunlight to transform CO₂ from the air with water from the ground into glucose.

during the process of photosynthesis

oxygen (O₂) is created as a waste product and is released into the air for us to breath.

formula for photosynthesis

CO₂ + H₂O + sunlight ----> C₆H₁₂O₆ + O2 

the formula for photosynthesis says taht

he reactants in photosynthesis (what is used) are CO₂, water and sun. The  plant gets water from the ground through its roots. The plant collects carbon dioxide from the air. Much  of the carbon dioxide comes from living organisms that exhale (breath it out) it

the products are

glucose and oxygen

glucose is used in the plant to

 The glucose produced is used by the plant for energy and growth.  We also use this glucose by eating plants.

plants are unlike humans because they

make their own food

mitochondria

are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They are organelles that act like a digestive system that takes  in nutrients, breaks them down, and creates energy for the cell. The process of creating cell energy is known as cellular

respiration

respiration. Most of the chemical reactions involved in cellular respiration happen in the mitochondria. A mitochondrion  is shaped perfectly to maximize its efforts.  

why do organisms rely on carbohydrates

herefore, these organisms must rely on the carbohydrates formed in plants to  obtain the energy necessary for their metabolic processes. This means they must eat plants and other animals in  order to gain energy.  

ADP

Cells take the carbohydrates into their cytoplasm, and through a complex series of metabolic processes, they  break down the carbohydrates and release the energy. The energy is generally not needed immediately; rather  it is used to combine adenosine diphosphate (ADP)

ith another phosphate to form adenosine triphosphate 

makes ATP!

ATP in photosynthesis

he ATP can then be used for processes in the cells that require energy, much as a battery  powers a mechanical device. During the process of cellular respiration, carbon dioxide is given off and water is released. Plant cells can  use this carbon dioxide and water during photosynthesis to form new carbohydrates. 

the greatest negative impact is

the human population increasing

the increase of human population does what?

increasing demands on natural resources such as food, water, energy and space.

burning fossil fuels

Burning Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) has lead to increased amounts of greenhouse gases (CO₂ and methane) into the atmosphere

environmental impact of climate change

• Environmental Impact: 

  • Climate Change (due to global warming)

  • Acid Rain

  • Ocean Acidification

  • Air Pollution

solutions to burning fossil fuels

• Use of alternative energy sources:

  • Solar power

  • Wind turbines

  • Geothermal energy

  • Hydroelectric power

biodiversity

various amounts of species in an ecosystem

habitat destrution

• Caused by: 

  • Water pollution: caused by pesticides and fertilizers and dumping wastes

  • Overharvesting

  • Overhunting

  • Habitat Fragmentation: large habitats are broken up into smaller ones

  • Introducing Invasive non-native species

possible solutions to habitat destrution

• Recycling

• Protecting habitats and endangered species

• Use biological controls instead of pesticides

• Rotating crops and farming native crops

• Captive breeding programs

• Ecotourism

Passing laws to control pollution, land management, hunting, and fishing

population size is affected by

1. Number of births

2. Number of deaths

3.  Immigration- new members join

4.  Emigration- members leave

population distrubution

the pattern of where organisms live

popultion density

the number of organisms within an area

carying capacity

the largest number of individuals an environment can support

this is determined by (carying capacity)

resources, predators, habitat, disease

limiting factor

anything that will limit growth of a population

density dependent

imiting factor- a limiting factor that can affect populations once they reach their carrying capacity

examples of density dependent limiting factors

competition, predation, parasites, and disease

density independent limiting factor

limiting factor that affects any population - population size does not matter

example of density independent limiting factors

weather, natural disasters, season cycles, human activities

Pronghorn antelope are herbivores that live in an area that includes much of the western United States. Wild horses and domestic sheep that also live in the area eat the same types of grasses as the pronghorn antelope. Coyotes and bobcats in the area prey on the antelope.

Which of the following would most likely increase the carrying capacity for the pronghorn antelope?

a viral disease that decreases the population size of the wild horses in the area

What effect might an invasive species have on the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

The carrying capacity may decrease because there is more competition for limited resources.

keystone species

1. a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.

Are the limiting factors abiotic or biotic factors (or both)? Explain why.

Limiting factors are both because limiting factors could be food that are biotic, however, water and space are abiotic.

 How are limiting factors related to carrying capacity? (answer in a complete sentence by restating the  question)

Limiting factors are related to carrying capacity because if a population goes over limiting factors would arise and cause populations to decrease.

what are invasive soecies

How do invasive species out compete native species?

High dispersal ability, rapid reproduction, and fast growth, phenotypic plasticity, wide range of food, wide range of environments, association with humans, prior succesfull invasions

ecosystem health

-Generally speaking a healthy ecosystem is one

that over time, the structure and function of that

ecosystem should remain.

stability

Stability refers to the number and intensity of

disturbances a system faces.

-few or small disturbances = relatively stable

-many or large disturbances = relatively unstable

for some ecosystems being more stable does not necessarily mean more healthy because…

This is because some

ecosystems rely on multiple disturbances like fires to

remove needles, leaves and dead vegetation along the

forest floor which exposes the soil just enough for native

species to germinate and flourish.

resistance

the ability of the ecosystem to continue to function (resist

disturbances) without change when stressed by disturbance.

a greater resistance comes from….?

-Generally those with more biodiversity have a greater resistance to

change because there are more organisms that can fill the lost

niches/roles of organisms that die off

resilience

-Generally those with more biodiversity have a greater resistance to

change because there are more organisms that can fill the lost

niches/roles of organisms that die off

species diversity

The number of species in a particular ecosystem

Generally it is beneficial to have many varieties of organisms

Don’t want to lose a keystone species: a species on which other

species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were

removed the ecosystem would change drastically.

genetic diversity

The variation in the genetic make-up (genetic

variation) of organisms within a population or a species.

These differences in individuals of the same species are so important

because it allows for greater chances of survival (example: if a new

virus evolves, and a herd of cows has a high genetic diversity there

would be a greater chance that some of the cows inherited an

native species

Native species have originated in their location naturally and

without human involvement.

endemic

(found only within a

particular region)

indigeneous

(found both within the

region and elsewhere).

non-native species

Non-Native species have been introduced to an

ecosystem accidentally or intentionally.

They do not disrupt the natural flow of the ecosystem

in which they now live and often offer biodiversity.

They can also be used to take the place of an

endangered or extinct species within an ecosystem in

order to retain balance.

Examples: Crops, honey bees

non-native invasive

Non-Native invasive species have been introduced to

an ecosystem either by accident or intentionally.

They develop widespread populations because they

lack natural predators and out compete for

resources. As a result, they disrupt the ecosystem,

displace the native species, affect the economy and

human health.

Examples: Zebra muscles, Lion fish, English Ivy

photosynthesis

Energy enters the ecosystem in the form of sunlight. 

In the process of photosynthesis, autotrophs use the light energy to produce glucose. (food)

Oxygen is also made as a waste product and is released.

photosynthesis takes place

Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast.

formula for photosynthesis

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

what does ATP Do

Cells need energy to do a variety of work:

1. Making new molecules.

2. Building membranes and organelles.

3. Moving molecules in and out of the cell.

4. Movement

ATP- what it’s made of

• ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate 

It is made of three components: ribose (sugar), adenine (a nitrogen base), and three phosphates.

How does energy come from ATP?

Energy in the ATP molecule is found in the high-energy bond between the last two phosphates. When this bond is broken, energy is released and able to be used by the cell.

what is the energy moleule when it only has two molecules

• two phosphates it is now ADP or Adenosine Diphosphate. 

• The mitochondria will add the phosphate back to ADP, to store energy  in the bond to form ATP again.

fermentation

• Fermentation will occur in the cytoplasm.

• Two types of fermentation

  1. Alcohol happens in yeast (makes alcohol and CO₂)

Lactic Acid happens in muscle cells

formula for cellular respiration

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP

How is energy lost up the food pyramid

• It’s a graphical representation, showing the flow of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem. 

• Only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next as you move up the pyramid. 

90% is lostdue to body processes (some converted to heat as result).

combustion does what to carbon

releases it

The primary benefit of photosynthetic organisms for most of life on Earth today is that they-

The primary benefit of photosynthetic organisms for most of life on Earth today is that they-

What is the best explanation for why an ecosystem would not sustain more than roughly five trophic levels?

What is the best explanation for why an ecosystem would not sustain more than roughly five trophic levels?

hown here is an incomplete chemical equation for the reaction known as photosynthesis.

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → 6O₂ + ______

c6h1206—→ Glucose