ECOLOGY

• What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?

  The Sun
• How are materials like carbon and water recycled in ecosystems?

  Through respiration and photosynthesis
• What do ecosystems consist of?

  Communities of animals and plants
• Why is interdependence important in ecosystems?

  Species depend on each other for survival
• What happens if one species is removed from a community?

  It can affect the whole community
• What characterizes a stable community?

  Balance of species and environmental factors
• What are abiotic factors?

  Non-living components of the environment
• Name two abiotic factors that can affect a community.

  Light intensity and temperature
• How do biotic factors differ from abiotic factors?

  Biotic factors are living components
• What are adaptations in organisms?

  Features that enable survival in environments
• What are extremophiles?

  Organisms living in extreme environments
• What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

  They synthesize molecules for biomass
• What begins all food chains?

  A producer
• What is the relationship between predators and prey in a stable community?

  They rise and fall in cycles
• What is the carbon cycle's role in ecosystems?

  Returns carbon to the atmosphere
• How does the water cycle benefit ecosystems?

  Provides fresh water for plants and animals
• What do microorganisms do in material cycling?

  Return carbon and minerals to the soil
• What factors affect the rate of decay of biological material?

  Temperature, water, and oxygen availability
• What is the purpose of compost in gardening?

  Natural fertilizer for plants
• What is the significance of sustainable fisheries?

  Maintains fish stocks for breeding
• What role does biotechnology play in food production?

  Provides solutions for food demands
• What is mycoprotein and its source?

  Protein-rich food from the fungus Fusarium
• What is a genetically modified bacterium used for?

  Producing human insulin
• What is the potential benefit of GM crops?

  More food with improved nutritional value
• What is food security?

  Having reliable access to sufficient food
• What is mycoprotein produced from?

  Fungus Fusarium
• What conditions are required to grow Fusarium for mycoprotein?

  Grown on glucose syrup in aerobic conditions
• What does a genetically modified bacterium produce?

  Human insulin
• How is human insulin used in medicine?

  To treat people with diabetes
• What is the purpose of GM crops like golden rice?

  To provide more food or improved nutrition
• What is food security?

  • Having enough food to feed a population
• What biological factor threatens food security due to population growth?

  Increasing birth rate
• How do changing diets in developed countries affect food security?

  Scarce food resources are transported globally
• What environmental change can lead to widespread famine?

  Failure of rains
• What is a consequence of conflicts on food security?

  Affects availability of water or food
• What methods can improve food production efficiency?

  • Restrict energy transfer from food animals
  • Limit animal movement
  • Control temperature of surroundings
• Why are some animals fed high protein foods?

  To increase growth
• What are the trophic levels in an ecosystem?

  1. Producers: Plants and algae
  2. Primary consumers: Herbivores
  3. Secondary consumers: Carnivores eating herbivores
  4. Tertiary consumers: Carnivores eating other carnivores
  5. Decomposers: Break down dead matter
• What is the bottom level of a pyramid of biomass?

  Trophic level 1
• What percentage of energy do producers transfer for photosynthesis?

  About 1%