Term
| Outline what is meant by the trophic level of an organism with three examples from one named habitat. |
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Definition
feeding level for an organism in a food chain
naming of a habitat
Primary producers, primary consumers, omnivores-detritivores |
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Term
| Compare the way in which autotrophic, heterotrophic and saprotrophic organisms obtain energy. |
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Definition
autotrophs use an external non-organic energy source. Some autotrophs use light, photosynthesis, inorganic chemical reactions and chemosyhtesis.
heterotrophs obtain energy from other organisms, from ingest/consuming food.
saprotrophs obtain energy through non-living matter, and digest matter extracellulary. |
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Term
| Discuss ways in which equilibrium is maintained in the biosphere. |
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Definition
O2 used - C02 produced in respiration
C02 used - 02 produced in photosynthesis
water given off in transpiration
water evaporates from lake/oceans/soil
nitrogen from atmosphere is fixed
denitrofiaction returns nitrogen to atmosphere
autotrophs make organic compounds
heterotrophs/decomposers break down organic compounds |
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Term
| Explain the factors that cause a population to follow the sigmoid ( S-shaped) growth curve |
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Definition
during exp. growth the pop. grows at an increasing rate
most offsprings survive/birth rae higher than death rate
most offsprings reproduce
each gen. produce more offsprings than last
pleteau reached/birth rate ='s death rate when carrying capacity is reached
transitional phase when limits to growth are starting to act |
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Term
| Apply the concept of carrying capacity to the struggle for survival resulting from overproduction of offspring. |
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Definition
environment supports a certain max pop.
pop. is sometimes exceeded due to over pop.
competition for food/space/resources are insufficient.
some indv. fail to obtain enough
deaths/failure to produce/survival of the fittest
pop. falls to carrying capacity
reference to evo. by natural selection |
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Term
| Outline the international system used for naming species of living organisms. |
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Definition
binomial system
first name is the genus name
second is the species name
genus is group of closely related species |
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Term
| Discuss the definition of the term species |
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Definition
a species is group of organisms
species shares common gene pool
showing similar morphology charac.
capable of interbreeding
dissimilar organisms sometimes interbreed, mule
interspecific hybirds are sometimes fertile |
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Term
| Describe the value of classifying organisms. |
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Definition
make it easier to identify/compare/dist. organisms
helps us study with huge numbers/diversity
suggests evolutionary relatinoships
makes communication between biologists |
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