ECOSYSTEMS

Ecosystem

An ecosystem refers to all the interacting parts of a biological community, including both biotic and abiotic factors.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and bacteria.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as water, rocks, and sunlight.

Types of Biotic Relationships

Predation (one organism eating another), Competition (organisms competing for limited resources), and Symbiosis (multiple organisms living together, with at least one benefiting).

Types of Symbiosis

Mutualism (both organisms benefit), Parasitism (one benefits, the other is harmed), Commensalism (one benefits, the other is unaffected).

Characteristics of Living Things

Made up of cells, Responds to environment, Grows, Reproduces, Expends energy, Excretes waste, Needs nutrients.

Why are viruses not considered living?

Viruses are not cells, they cannot reproduce on their own, and they do not eat or excrete.

Earth's Spheres

Biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere.

Essential Nutrients for Living Organisms

Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water.

Cycles of Basic Elements and Compounds

Water, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus.

Carbon Cycle Description

Animals consume carbon and exhale CO2; plants inhale CO2 and create carbon compounds for animals; decomposition returns carbon to the environment; burning fossil fuels adds carbon to the atmosphere.

Nitrogen Fixation

Nitrogen fixation is when special bacteria turn nitrogen from the air into solid forms in the soil that plants can use.

Phosphorus in the Biosphere

Phosphorus enters the biosphere from the breakdown of rocks, which plants absorb from the soil.

Source of Biosphere's Energy

The sun.

Photosynthesis Process

Photosynthesis harnesses sunlight into usable energy and occurs in chloroplasts inside plant cells.

Organisms Undergoing Photosynthesis

Plants, algae, plankton, and photosynthetic bacteria are producers that perform photosynthesis.

Basic Energy Molecule for Living Things

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).

Cellular Respiration Equation

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O; occurs in mitochondria.

Autotroph vs Heterotroph

Autotrophs make their own energy (e.g., trees) while heterotrophs consume other organisms for energy (e.g., lions).

Bioaccumalation

Bioaccumulation is the storage of toxins in organisms;

Biomagnificaton

biomagnification is the increased concentration of toxins up the food chain.

Eutrophication

Caused by fertilizer runoff leading to algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water, killing aquatic life.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases released by burning fossil fuels that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate warming.

Problems with Large-Scale Deforestation

Destruction of biodiverse habitats and loss of trees as carbon sinks, which exacerbates climate change.

Major Threats to Biodiversity

Oil spills, deforestation, eutrophication, and bycatch with potential solutions like bioremediation and replanting.

whats photosynthesis formula

CO2+H2O(reactants)→C6 H12 O6+ O2(products)