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• What is an individual in ecological terms?


  A single organism.
• How is a species defined?


  A group of similar organisms that can reproduce to give offspring that can also reproduce.
• What is a habitat?


  The place where an organism lives, e.g., a rocky shore or a field.
• What constitutes a population?


  All the organisms of one species in a habitat.
• What is a community in ecological terms?


  All the organisms of different species living in a habitat.
• How is an ecosystem defined?


  A community of organisms, along with all the non-living conditions in the area where they live.
• What are the levels of organization in an ecosystem?

  • Individual
  • Population
  • Community
  • Ecosystem
• What do individual organisms make up?


  A population.
• What do several populations make up?


  A community.
• What do organisms need from their environment to survive?


  Resources such as light, space, water, and nutrients.
• What resources do plants need?

  Light, space, water, and minerals from the soil.
• What resources do animals need?


  Space, food, water, and mates.
• How do organisms compete for resources?


  They compete with other species and members of their own species for the same resources.
• What happens to the population of red squirrels when grey squirrels compete for resources?


  The population of red squirrels decreases.
• What are abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem?


  • Abiotic factors: Non-living factors (e.g., temperature).
  • Biotic factors: Related to living things (e.g., predation).
• How do abiotic and biotic factors affect population size?


  They can make a population bigger or smaller.
• What is an example of an abiotic factor?


  Temperature.
• What is an example of a biotic factor?

  Predation.
• How does light intensity affect plant growth?


  It can stop grass from growing if shaded by trees.
• What moisture level do daisies prefer?


  They grow best in slightly wet soils.
• How does temperature affect organisms in a cold country?


  Warmer temperatures might allow warmer-preferring organisms to move there.
• How does soil pH affect plant populations?


  If the pH changes too much, the population will decrease.
• How does food availability affect population size?


  More food can lead to an increase in population size.
• What happens to prey populations when the number of predators decreases?


  The number of prey will increase.
• What happens to prey populations when the number of predators increases?


  The number of prey will decrease.
• What is the cycle of predator-prey populations?


  1. Prey population increases, leading to an increase in predator population.
  2. Increased predators decrease prey population.
  3. This cycle continues, showing interdependence.
• What does interdependence mean in an ecosystem?


  Organisms depend on each other for survival.
• What are the types of interdependence in ecosystems?

  • Parasitic relationships (parasitism)
  • Mutualistic relationships (mutualism)
• What is parasitism?

  A relationship where parasites live off a host, harming it.
• What is mutualism?

  A relationship where both organisms benefit.
• How are materials recycled in an ecosystem?

  • Through biotic parts (animals, plants, microorganisms).
  • Through abiotic parts (air, soil).
• What do living things take from the environment?

  Materials like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
• How do plants use materials from the environment?

  To make carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
• What happens to materials when organisms die?


  They are recycled back into the environment.
• What role do decomposers play in recycling materials?


  They break down waste products and dead organisms, returning materials to the soil.
• What is the water cycle?


  1. Water evaporates from land and sea.
  2. Transpiration from plants.
  3. Water vapour cools and condenses to form clouds.
  4. Precipitation falls as rain, snow, or hail.
  5. Water drains into the sea, starting the cycle again.
• Why is the water cycle important for living things?


  It provides fresh water necessary for survival.
• What is the carbon cycle?


  1. Carbon is recycled through living organisms and the atmosphere.
  2. Plants take in CO₂ during photosynthesis.
  3. Animals obtain carbon by eating plants.
  4. Respiration releases CO₂ back into the atmosphere.
  5. Decomposers release CO₂ during decomposition.
• Why is carbon important for living things?


  It is a fundamental material that living things are made from.
• What happens to carbon when plants and animals die?


  It is released back into the atmosphere through decomposition.