7th Grade Science Final Exam Review

Practice flashcards covering key concepts from the 7th Grade Science curriculum in preparation for the final exam.

What are the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

Biotic factors include plants, animals, microorganisms; Abiotic factors include sunlight, water, temperature, soil, air.

List the levels of organization in ecology.

Species, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biome, Biosphere.

What are the different trophic levels in an ecosystem?

Producers, Primary Consumers, Secondary Consumers, Tertiary Consumers, Decomposers.

What are consumers in ecology?

Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by feeding on other organisms.

What does a food web show?

A food web shows the feeding relationships and energy flow among organisms in an ecosystem.

What is an energy pyramid and how does energy flow through trophic levels?

An energy pyramid shows energy flow through trophic levels, with producers at the base and decreasing energy for consumers.

What is a symbiotic relationship?

A symbiotic relationship is an interaction between two different species that can be beneficial for one or both.

How do predators and prey affect populations?

Predators regulate prey populations, and prey availability influences predator populations.

What is carrying capacity and how is it related to limiting factors?

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size an environment can sustain, affected by limiting factors.

How does climate influence biomes?

Climate shapes biomes by affecting temperature and precipitation patterns.

What was Darwin's theory of evolution?

Darwin's theory of evolution is natural selection, where organisms best adapted to their environments survive.

What are the conditions or steps of natural selection?

Variation, competition, differential survival, and reproduction.

What evidence supports the theory of evolution?

Fossil records, genetic similarities, common ancestry, and observed evolutionary changes.

How can the age of fossils be determined?

Fossils can be dated using radioactive or relative dating.

What are the levels of classification in biology?

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

How are organisms classified into domains and kingdoms?

Organisms are classified into three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya, and further into kingdoms based on shared traits.

What is the difference between inherited and acquired traits?

Inherited traits are passed down from parents; acquired traits are learned or developed.

Describe the organization of genetic material (largest to smallest).

Cell, Nucleus, Chromosomes, DNA, Genes.

Compare asexual and sexual reproduction.

Asexual reproduction involves one parent producing offspring identical to itself; sexual reproduction involves two parents combining genetic material.

What is the structure of DNA?

The structure of DNA is a double helix.

How do mitosis and meiosis differ?

Mitosis results in two identical cells, meiosis results in four genetically different cells for reproduction.

What are Punnett Squares and how are they used?

Punnett Squares are used to predict the genetic makeup of offspring based on the alleles of the parents.

What is artificial selection or selective breeding?

Artificial selection is the intentional breeding of organisms to produce specific desirable traits.

What are the levels of biological organization in a multicellular organism?

Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism.

What is a Carnivore?

A carnivore is an organism that primarily eats meat.

What is an Herbivore?

An herbivore is an animal that primarily eats plants.

What is an Omnivore?

An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals.

What is a Decomposer?

A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead organic material.

What is a Scavenger?

A scavenger is an organism that feeds on dead or decaying matter.

What type of symbiotic relationship involves the clownfish and sea anemone?

Mutualism.

What type of symbiotic relationship involves a tick and a dog?

Parasitism.

What type of relationship involves barnacles and whales?

Commensalism.

What type of relationship is it when a lion hunts a zebra?

Predation.

What type of relationship involves competition for food between two birds?

Competition.

What is relative dating?

Relative dating compares the age of rocks and fossils to determine their relative ages.

What is radioactive (absolute) dating?

A technique used to determine the age of materials by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes.

What are the 6 Kingdoms of Classification?

Archaea, Bacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.

What are the defining characteristics of Kingdom Archaebacteria?

Prokaryotic, unique cell membrane composition, extremophiles, distinct genetic makeup.

What are the defining characteristics of Kingdom Eubacteria?

Eubacteria are prokaryotic, unicellular organisms that reproduce asexually.

What are the defining characteristics of Kingdom Protista?

Eukaryotic, mostly unicellular organisms that can be autotrophic or heterotrophic.

What are the defining characteristics of Kingdom Fungi?

Eukaryotic, chitin cell walls, heterotrophic, decomposers.

What are the defining characteristics of Kingdom Plantae?

Eukaryotic, multicellular, photosynthetic organisms with cell walls.

What are the defining characteristics of Kingdom Animalia?

Multicellular, heterotrophic, lack of cell walls, ability to move.

What is the function of the Cardiovascular system?

To circulate blood and transport essential substances throughout the body.

What is the function of the Excretory system?

To eliminate waste and regulate bodily fluids.

What is the function of the Digestive System?

To process food for nutrient absorption and waste elimination.

What is the function of the Respiratory System?

To facilitate gas exchange: breathe in O2, breathe out CO2.

What is the function of the Muscular System?

To facilitate movement.

What is the function of the Nervous System?

To transmit signals, process information, and coordinate bodily responses.

What is the function of the Immune System?

To defend the body against infections and diseases.

Food, water, sunlight, shelter, and space are resources that are __.

Limiting factors.

Which organisms will you find the most of in an ecosystem?

Producers.

Which level will contain plants?

Primary producers.

Level 1 is called the _ trophic level.

Primary producer.

What type of symbiosis is exhibited by hummingbirds and flowers?

Mutualism.

The largest number of individuals that an environment can support long term is…

Carrying capacity.

What is a population?

A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area.

In the energy pyramid, which organisms have the most energy available?

Producers.