Download Unit 2 Background Questions

Background Questions Chapter 4
Feel free to use drawings/diagrams to help answer the questions below.
Ecosystems: Everything is Connected (Section1)
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is an ecosystem? Provide examples.
What are the basic components of an ecosystem?
Distinguish between biotic and abiotic factors. Provide examples.
Define: organism, species, population, community and habitat.
Evolution (Section2)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who was Charles Darwin, and what is his contribution to science?
In your own words, explain evolution by natural selection.
What is artificial selection? Provide examples.
What is resistance, and what is its significance?
The Diversity of Living Things (Section 3)
1. What are 2 distinguishing characteristics among the six kingdoms?
2. Distinguish between Archeabacteria and Eubacteria
3. What role(s) do bacteria play?
4. Complete the following chart:
Kingdom and Definition
Cell Type (prokaryotic
or eukaryotic)
Function (roles)
5. Distinguish between lower plants, gymnosperms and angiosperms.
6. Distinguish between invertebrates and vertebrates.
Background Questions Chapter 5
Energy Flow in Ecosystems (Section1)
1. What is photosynthesis? What organism(s) are photosynthetic?
2. Define producers, consumers, autotroph and heterotroph.
3. How are deep ocean ecosystems an exception to the rul?
Examples
4.
5.
6.
7.
Distinguish between herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and decomposers; provide examples.
By what process do organisms use energy?
Differentiate between food chains and food webs.
Define trophic level. What happens to the amount of energy as it is transferred between trophic
levels?
8. How does loss of energy affect an ecosystem?
The Cycling of Materials (Section 2)
1. For the three nutrient cycles discussed in the text, complete the following chart. Part of the
carbon cycle has already been completed
Cycle
Carbon (process by
which carbon is cycled
between the
atmosphere, land,
water and organisms)
Key Players
Producers
Processes
Convert carbon dioxide
in atmosphere into
carbohydrates
(photosynthesis)
Human Impact
Burning of fossil fuels
releases carbon
derivatives into
atmosphere
How Ecosystems Change (Section 3)
1. What is ecological succession? Distinguish between primary and secondary succession. Provide
examples of each.
2. What is a pioneer species? What is a climax community? Provide examples of each.
3. What role does fire provide in secondary succession?
Background Questions Chapter 6
What is a Biome (Section 1)
1. What is a biome? What key factors determine biome characteristics and distribution?
2. Why are biomes described by their vegetation? How have plants adapted to survive in
particular biomes?
3. What is climate? What are the two most important factors influencing climate?
4. Define latitude and altitude. How do changes in latitude and altitude influence biome
distribution?
Forest Biomes and Grassland, Desert and Tundra Biomes (Section 2 and 3) AND Freshwater and Marine
Ecosystems (Chapter 7)
While you are responsible for reading ALL of these chapters and sections, you really one need to take
detailed notes on your assigned biome, as these notes will be used to complete the biome project. Key
points to keep in mind: location (distribution), climatic data (temp. and rainfall data), key flora and
fauna AND other pertinent information needed to complete project.
Freshwater Ecosystems (Section 1)
1. What mainly determines the type of organisms in aquatic ecosystems?
2. What other factors shape aquatic ecosystems?
3. How are organisms in aquatic ecosystems grouped? Distinguish between, and provide examples
of, plankton, nekton and benthos.