Studied by 15 people
RE-CHARGE
characteristics of life: Reproduction, Cells, Homeostasis, Respond to stimuli, Growth, Development
Levels of an Organism
cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
Homeostasis
Balance in Ecosystem
Biotic
the living or once living organisms in the environment
Abiotic
the nonliving parts of the environment
Species
individuals with common characteristics; able to reproduce
Populations
all members of a species interacting in an area
Community
all the populations within a system
Ecosystem
Biological community and all its abiotic factors
Niche
role of an organism ex: pollination, decomposition
Biomes
ecological systems (such as GA, SC, NC, VA forests) consisting of similar organisms, climate, and soils
Competition
An interaction between organisms in which both require a resource that is in limited supply, and must fight for it
Competitive Exclusion Principle
No 2 species can occupy the same niche (role) in an ecosystems, so only 1 will survive
Resource Partitioning
A way to get around the competitive exclusion principle, it is evolved to use resources each in their own way to keep balance
Symbiosis
Interdependent relationship between 2 organisms
Parasitism
one organism benefits, the other is harmed (flea on dog)
Mutualism
both organisms benefit
Commensalism
one organism benefits, the other is not harmed (barnacles on whale)
Predator-Prey
one organisms hunts another as a food source
Food Chains
Food Webs
a group of interconnected food chains
Energy Pyramid
graph showing energy flow; most energy is at the producer level or trophic level 1.
Nitrogen Fixation
1st Step in Nitrogen Cycle, bacteria changing N2 gas to ammonia
Nitrification
Ammonium changes to nitrates, so plants can absorb them
Assmilation
Plants using roots to absorb nitrates to use for amino acids, nucleic acids & chlorophyll
Ammonification
Decomposers (fungi, bacteria) turning nitrogen back to ammonium for cycle to restart after animal/plant dies
Denitrification
Extra nitrates found in soil (NO3) turns back into N2 gas
No proteins
No life
Weathering of rocks is critical to this cycle
Phosphorus cycle
The only cycle with no gaseous phase
Phosphorus cycle
This is needed for proteins and nucleic acids
Nitrogen
Greenhouse gasses
CO₂ , O₃ , CH₄ , SO₂ , CFCs , H₂O (water) vapor
Group behavior can help with
increased survival, foraging, and nurturement of young
Altruistic Behavior
When organisms risk their life to protect others in the group
Pioneer Species
Animals that are the first to inhabit an area of land
Lichens, moss and fungi are all examples of
pioneer species
Pioneer species rebuild
soil
Shrubs and grasses are examples of
Mid successional plants
What is the usual ecological succession of organisms?
lichens 🡪 grasses 🡪 shrubs 🡪 trees
Ecological Succession
Gradual change in community structure resulting from new environmental conditions (disturbance)
What is an example of primary recession?
A glacier receding, soil erosion, lava flow, etc
What is an example of secondary recession?
A forest fire, flood, polluted streams, etc
Succession may result in
species moving away and their population increasing or declining
Which type of succession occurs faster?
Secondary succession, because soil is already present
Climax
The final stable state of succession
Populations with exponential growth
will grow at a constant rate
Environments with exponential growth have?
Unlimited resources
Carrying Capacity
The maximum population of organisms an ecosystem can support
Environments with exponential growth have?
Limited resources
Increasing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus leads to
more algae growth
What results from eutrophication?
Bacteria decompose the dead algae using the oxygen in the water. The decrease in oxygen causes a decline in the biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystem.
What are some sources of nutrient pollutions?
Farms, city streets, pet waste, lawn fertilizer, faulty septic systems, and sewage treatment plan
What are some negative impacts of eutrophication?
Bad water odor, unsafe water conditions, decline in fishing, and it is expensive to clean up contaminated areas
As carbon dioxide concentrations increase,
temperatures increase
What are some impacts of global climate change?
Glacier recession, rising sea levels, increase in spread of disease
What are some affects of carbonic acid?
Marine organisms growing smaller in size
Disruption in the aquatic food web due to species dying off
Ocean water becoming more acidic
Food shortenings for humans increase along coastal areas
Density Dependent Limiting Factor
A limiting factor that does depends on the density (amount) of the population
What are some examples of Density Dependent Limiting Factors
Parasites, diseases, predation, and competition
Density Independent Limiting Factor
A limiting factor that does not depend on the density (amount) of the population
What are some examples of density independent limiting factors?
Natural disasters (tornado or hurricane), weather (thunderstorm)
Detritivore
A detritivore is an organism that feeds on dead organic matter, such as decaying plants and animals.
Logistic Growth
As resources become less available, the growth of a population
Biodiversity
The variety of organisms in an ecosystem, the number of different species living in a specific area
Biodiversity helps
stabilize the ecosystem
Keystone Species
A single species that is vital to ecosystem stability
What are some examples of keystone species?
Otters, American alligators, sharks, and more
Invasive Species
Non-native species that spread rapidly across large areas, and disrupt ecosystems
Why are invasive species such a threat?
They outcompete native species, have a high reproductive rate, and have no predators
H.I.P.P.O
Habitat loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, (human) Population, Overharvesting
Non-Renewable Resources
Resources with a fixed amount (finite)
Examples of non-renewable resources
Gold, soil, sand, phosphate, fossil fuels, uranium
What are the pros of non-renewable resources?
They are easy access and cheap
What are the cons of non-renewable resources?
There is a limited supply
It releases air pollutants
Connected to global warming and climate change
Degrades land from extraction of resource
Renewable Resources
Resources that can replenish themselves over time
What are some examples of renewable resources?
Wind, sunlight, plants, water
What are the pros of renewable resources?
Infinite
Reliable
Low to no air pollution
Less reliance on foreign sources
What are the cons of renewable resources?
It is expensive (costly) and has geographic limitations (unless you are near a body of water, you cannot use hydroelectric energy, etc.)
Ocean Acidification
Oceans become more acidic and start harming marine organisms by dissolving their shells, slowing their digestion, making them smaller/weaker, etc.
Which organisms in the ocean are the first to be affected by ocean acidification?
Aquatic animals with shells, crabs for example
Global Warming
the increase of global surface temperatures
Climate Change
Long term effects of global warming
Pollution
Any chemical, gas, microorganism, or solid material (plastic) found in air and water that harms other organisms
Air Pollution - Acid Rain
Pollutants in the air (SO₂ and NOx) from burning fossil fuels and water vapor = acid rain,
nitrates + sulfuric dioxide = acid rain
Acid rain lowers
the pH of the soil and water, which causes a loss in biodiversity
Point Source
A single, identifiable discharge point/origin
Non-point Source
No single, identifiable discharge point/origin, is very costly to clean up, specifically aquatic environments
Examples of non-point sources are
Sediments from construction or agriculture
Run-off of oil and plastic
Troposphere
Lowest atmosphere level, where we live
Stratosphere
Contains ozone O₃ that filters out harmful UV from entering troposphere, must protect
Ozone Depletion
Thinning of ozone layer as result of the release of manmade chemicals called CFCs
Where is the ozone layer located?
Stratosphere
Eutrophication
When the concentration of nutrients in any body of
water keeps increasing
Eutrophication creates
dead zones
The excess nutrients contaminating a body of water cause
Nutrient Pollution
List some things people do daily that effect CO2 going into the air
Driving your car, using a lawn mower, using fertilizer, using a gas stove, etc
What is the primary cause of ozone depletion?
CFCs are the primary cause
Which layer has smog and other gunk?
Troposphere
Consequences of Global Climate Change
Rising sea levels
Loss of biodiversity
Unpredictable weather events (floods & storms)
Increase in diseases
Global food and water shortages
Animals get carbon inside of them by
eating plants
Carbon Cycle - Respiration
organisms release CO₂ into atmosphere by breathing
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