THE LIVING WORLD

What is biodiversity?

The variety of life in the world, including the different species, genetic variations, and ecosystems.

What are the two main components of biodiversity?

Species richness and ecosystem diversity.

Define ecosystem.

A biological community interacting with its environment, including both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components.

What is the importance of biodiversity?

It supports ecosystem services, contributes to food security, and provides resources for medicine.

Define species.

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

What is the difference between an ecosystem and a habitat?

An ecosystem is a community of interacting organisms and their environment, while a habitat is the natural home or environment of an organism.

Describe the terms 'autotrophs' and 'heterotrophs.'

Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants), while heterotrophs are organisms that consume other organisms for energy.

What is ecological succession?

The gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time.

Differentiate between primary and secondary succession.

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas, while secondary succession occurs in previously inhabited areas that have been disturbed.

Define a trophic level.

A level of the food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy from producers to top predators.

What are producers in an ecosystem?

Organisms that produce energy available for consumption by other organisms, typically through photosynthesis.

What are decomposers?

Organisms that break down dead or decaying organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Explain mutualism.

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Define commensalism.

A relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

What is parasitism?

A relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another (the host).

What is the carbon cycle?

The process through which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Describe the nitrogen cycle.

The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms.

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

Define cellular respiration.

The metabolic process in which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is ecology?

The study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

What is conservation biology?

A discipline focused on the study and preservation of biodiversity and the protection of natural resources.

Define the term 'endangered species.'

Species that are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, changes in environmental conditions, or other factors.

What is a biome?

A large geographical biotic unit characterized by its climate, flora, and fauna.

Explain the term 'food chain.'

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

What is a food web?

A complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.

Define ecology.

The branch of biology that studies the relationships between living organisms and their environment.

What is ecological zoning?

The division of an area into smaller units for ecological studies based on specific environmental factors.

What role do keystone species play in an ecosystem?

Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance.

What is an invasive species?

Non-native species that spread rapidly in a new environment, often causing harm to native species.

What are biomes characterized by?

Climate, geography, flora, and fauna.

What is the role of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems?

Phytoplankton are primary producers that generate energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the aquatic food web.

Explain the significance of wetlands.

Wetlands are crucial for biodiversity, water filtration, flood control, and as habitats for many species.

What is habitat fragmentation?

The process by which large habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches, affecting species diversity and ecosystem function.