Chapter 13: Ecology

Created by

Jo Ann

Cards (24)

What is biomass?
Living or recently dead tissues
How does biomass change with each trophic level?
Biomass decreases with each trophic level
What percentage of biomass is transferred to the next trophic level?
About 10%
Why is only about 10% of biomass transferred to the next trophic level?
Not all organisms or parts are eaten, and some energy is lost in waste
What role does cellular respiration play in energy transfer?
It supplies energy needs but transfers much energy to the surroundings
What is food security?
Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all people
What are some reasons for world hunger?
Poverty, food wastage, inflated prices, climate change, growing population, war
How can the movement of food animals be limited to increase food production efficiency?
By restricting their movement to conserve energy for growth
How does controlling temperature help in food production efficiency?
It prevents energy loss for temperature regulation, increasing biomass
What is a decomposer?
An organism that breaks down dead organic matter
How do decomposers absorb nutrients?
By secreting enzymes on digested organic matter
What is a detritivore?
A decomposer that eats dead organic matter and digests it internally
What are the waste products of decomposers in the decay process?
Carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients
What conditions are necessary for decay to occur?
Temperature, oxygen, and water
How do high temperatures affect decay?
They destroy enzymes and proteins responsible for decay
How do low temperatures affect decay?
They slow down the rate of decay
Why is oxygen important for decay?
Most microorganisms require it for aerobic respiration
What happens in the absence of oxygen during decay?
It slows or prevents most forms of decay
Why is water necessary for decay?
It is needed for transport and to support reactions inside organisms
What is the role of microorganisms in sewage treatment?
They break down human waste to make it safe for the environment
What are some pollutants present in wastewater?
Human waste, toxic metal compounds, fertilizers, and pesticides
What is a compost heap?
A pile of organic material left for microorganisms to break down
What does the carbon cycle illustrate?
How carbon atoms exist within different compounds at different times
What is the significance of the carbon cycle?
It shows the movement and transformation of carbon in the environment