7.1

• What are the levels of organization in an ecosystem?

  Individual, population, community, ecosystem
• What is an ecosystem?

  The interaction between the living components and non-living components
• What factors do plants compete for?

  • Light
  • Space
  • Water
  • Mineral ions from soil
• What factors do animals compete for?

  • Food
  • Mates
  • Territory
• What is intraspecific competition?

  Competition within a species
• What is interspecific competition?

  Competition between different species
• What is interdependence in an ecosystem?

  Different species in an ecosystem depend on each other for various resources
• What is a stable community?

  A community where all biotic and abiotic factors are balanced
• What are abiotic factors?

  Non-living factors
• What abiotic factors may affect an ecosystem?

  • Light intensity
  • Temperature
  • Moisture
  • Soil pH and mineral content
  • Wind intensity and direction
  • Carbon dioxide level
  • Oxygen level
• Why might light intensity affect an ecosystem?

  Different species of plants may have different optimum light intensities for growth
• Why does temperature affect an ecosystem?

  Different species of plants and animals may have different optimum temperatures for growth and survival
• How does soil pH affect an ecosystem?

  Certain plants may grow better in either alkaline or acidic soil
• How does moisture level affect an ecosystem?

  Many plants cannot survive in waterlogged soil as their roots cannot respire
• How does wind intensity affect an ecosystem?

  Plant seeds are more likely to germinate in locations with lower wind intensity
• How does soil mineral content affect an ecosystem?

  Most plants require a high level of soil minerals to grow well
• Give an example of a type of plant that has adapted to low soil mineral content.

  Carnivorous plants catch insects to compensate for the low level of soil mineral content
• How does carbon dioxide concentration affect an ecosystem?

  Higher carbon dioxide concentration leads to more plant growth
• How does oxygen concentration affect an ecosystem?

  Aquatic animals cannot survive in areas with low oxygen concentration
• What biotic factors may affect an ecosystem?

  • Food
  • New predators
  • New pathogens
  • Competition
• What are adaptations?

  Features that enable organisms to survive in their living environment
• What are organisms living in extreme environments called?

  Extremophiles
• Give 3 examples of extreme living environments.

  • High temperature
  • High pressure
  • High salt concentration
• State an example of where extremophile bacteria can be found.

  In deep sea vents
• What are the levels of organization in an ecosystem? 


  Individual, population, community, ecosystem