Biology SNC1WA

Atmosphere

-Layer of gases extending up to 100s of kms.

Lithosphere

Rocky outer shell of Earth. Mountains, ocean floor.

Hydrosphere

Consists of all water forms

Biosphere

All locations where life exists within the other spheres

Ecosystem

Living organisms that share & interact with the non living environment.

Biotic

Living organisms

Abiotic

Non living envrionment

Biotic Factors

All organisms, remains, and product/wastes.

Abiotic Factors

Include physical and chemical components

Population

All individuals from a singular species

Community

All individuals in a population form a community

Sustainable Ecosystem

maintain same characteristics without interruption, weakening, or loss of value.

Artificial Ecosystem

Ecosystems created by humans with human maintenance

Clear Cutting

Removal of all/most trees in area

Most economical and efficient method

Shelterwood Cutting

Mature trees harvested in series, allowing regeneration under the shelter of other trees.

Selective Cutting

Only harvest select trees periodically.

Most costly because of time and planning

Stewardship

taking responsibility for managing and protecting the environment

energy in ecosystems

energy transferred in each level of food web

has to be put in ecosystem to go through food chain

Thermal Energy

Warms atmosphere, evaporates water, produces wind

Photosynthesis

Energy from sun converted to chemical energy

Producers

Organisms that make their own food by absorbing energy from the sun

Consumers

Depend on producers for food by eating them

Photosynthesis equation

CO2+6H2O——>C6H12O6+O2

Chlorophyll

Gives plants their green colour

Chloroplasts

Site of Photosynthesis

Cellular Respiration

Where sugar is converted into carbon dioxide, water and energy

Cellular Respiration formula

C6H12O6+6O2——>6CO2+6H2O

Mitochondria

Known as powerhouse of cell because of energy production.

Albedo Effect

Percentage of Energy an object reflects

Autotrophs

Producers

Heterotrophs

Consumers

Food Chains

Single pathway of energy transfer between organism and consumer

Trophic Level

Organism position in a food chain

Food webs

Interconnecting food chains that describes interactions of consumers prey.

Ecological Niche

The role a species serves in its ecosystem. ex: Behavior, prey, predators.

Pyramid of energy

Illustrates energy loss and transfer between trophic levels.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Series of cycles where chemicals are constantly consumed, stored and uses.

Three main carbon reservoirs

1. The atmosphere

2. The Oceans

   1. The Earth’s Crust

Nitrogen Fixing

changes nitrogen gas to ammonia

Nitrification

changes ammonia to nitrites and nitrates

Denitrification

Changes nitrates to nitrogen gas

Limiting Factor

Any factor that restricts the size of a population

Tolerance range

Range of abiotic factors where a species can survive.

Optimum range

Ideal set of conditions best for a specific species.

Competition

Two individuals go after the same resources

Predation

One individual feeds on the other.

Mutualism

Two individuals benefit from each other

Parasitism

One individual lives on or in and feeds on its host

Commensalism

One individual benefits, and the other isn’t affected

Carrying Capacity

Resources that support a select amount of wildlife.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in a particular ecosystem

Fragmentation

Dividing up of a region into smaller parcels/fragments.

Native Species

Species that naturally live in the area and thrive in that ecosystem

Invasive Species

Non-native species whose introduction negatively impacts the environment

3 ways to control introduced species

Chemical Control, Mechanical Control, biologically.

Pests

Organisms that might compete with or damage crop species.

Pessticides

Causes physical/biological harm to the pest.

Natural Pesticide

Don’t last as long, are degradable, less harmful.

Broad Spectrum

Toxic to a wide range of species

Narrow Spectrum

Toxic to a limited number of species.

Equilibrium

State of an ecosystem with constant conditions

succession

How a community can rebuild after a disaster

Primary succession

occurs on newly exposed ground where no life previously existed.

Secondary succession

a disturbance that disrupts but does not destroy a community

Extinction

A species that has died out and no longer occurs on earth

Extirpated

Species that no longer exists in a specific area

Endangered

facing imminent extirpation or extinction

Threatened

Endangered species in need of conservation efforts.

Special concern

Endangered species due to various factors

Bioaccumulation

Buildup of a substance(pesticide) in the body of an organism

Bioamplification

The amplification of pesticide in a particular food chain

natural fertilizers

Derive from plant/animal waste

enhances soil fertility and provides essential nutrients

synthetic fertilizers

Artificial fertilizer manufactured to provide nutrients for plant growth.

Leaching

when water soluble substances are washed away form the soil.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria

Microorganisms that convert nitrogen gas to ammonia or nitrate.