Download Grade 7 – Science Midterm Study Guide Unit 1 – Interactions and

Grade 7 – Science Midterm Study Guide
Unit 1 – Interactions and Ecosystems
Keywords (describe their meaning)
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Ecology
Symbiosis
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Ecologist
Natural
resource
Habitat
Carnivore
Pollutants
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Adaptation
Biotic
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Ecosystem
Abiotic
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Niche
Herbivore
Transpiration
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Produce
Omnivore
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Consumer
Energy flow
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WHMIS Symbols – be able to identify the various signs
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Identify controlled, manipulated and responding variables.
Interactions Within Ecosystems – Topic 1
What is ecology?
What does an ecologist do?
Describe the basic needs of all living things.
o Be able to give a variety of examples for specific
organisms.
8 Characteristics all organisms have (alien and car)
Explain what an adaptation is and provide examples of how
organisms ‘adapt’ to their environments.
Describe symbiotic relationships – commensalism, mutualism,
parasitism.
What is an ecosystem? Be able to give examples or identify
given ecosystems.
Be able to describe wetland ecosystems and explain their
importance to nature.
Human Impacts on Ecosystems – Topic 2
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What are natural resources and how do humans use them?
Describe renewable and non-renewable resources.
What is a need? What is a want?
Do all organisms have wants? Explain
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How do human’s needs and wants impact the natural
environment?
Are human’s needs and wants the same all over the world?
Environmental Choices – Topic 3
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What is an ecological footprint? How is it calculated?
Describe sustainability.
How can we reduce our environmental footprint?
Understand the 4 R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink;
provide examples for each
How Organisms Interact – Topic 4
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Explain and be able to identify abiotic and biotic factors in an
ecosystem.
What is a niche? What is the difference between the habitat and
the niche of an organism?
Why is the niche of an organism important for ecologists to
understand?
Identify and explain producers, consumers, herbivores,
carnivores, omnivores, predator, prey, decomposers,
scavengers.
Determine the factors that affect the lynx and hare population
cyle.
Describe the different niches within a particular environment.
Explain the difference between a food chain and a food web?
Explain when an ecologist would use a pyramid of numbers;
pyramid of biomass.
Explain how a pyramid of numbers can demonstrate the health
of an ecosystem.
Cycles in the Environment – Topic 5
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Describe energy cycle.
Describe carbon cycle.
Describe water cycle.
Define pollution and give specific examples.
What is bioaccumulation and what effect does it have within the
food chain?
Succession and Change in Ecosystems – Topic 6
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Describe primary and secondary succession.
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Be able to describe the problems introduced species cause in an
ecosystem and examples
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What impacts human have on ecosystem and organisms
populations (Human and Bear)
Unit 2 – Plants for Food and Fibre
Keywords
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Diffusion
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Osmosis
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Xylem
Asexual
reproduction
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Phloem
Sexual
reproduction
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Capillary
action
Chlorophyll
Humus
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Respiration
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Stomata
Salinization
People and Plants – Topic 1
 Why are plants critical to our environment?
 Be able to give examples of how human’s use plants in multiple
categories (food, fibre, shelter, fuel, medicine, etc)
 What variations in roots, stems and leaves help different species of
plant survive in their own particular environment?
 Review topic 1 review questions pg. 103
Structure and Adaptations – Topic 2
 What is diffusion?
 What is osmosis?
 Describe the structural variations in roots, stems and leaves.
 How do plants move water up their stems?
 Briefly describe the process of photosynthesis.
 How do structural variations help a plant adapt?
Plant Reproduction and Breeding – Topic 3
 What is selective breeding? Give various examples of how this
practice has been successful and what negative consequences have
resulted from this practice.
 How are new species of plants developed?
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Describe the process of genetic modification. What are the benefits
and what are the possible consequences of genetically modified
food?
Describe the various ways that a plant can reproduce asexually.
Name situations where farmers and gardeners would benefit from
asexual reproduction.
Sexual reproduction in plants is a complex process – describe the
carious components of this process and the structures that are
involved.
Describe a situation where a plant would want to reproduce
asexually. Sexually.
What are the advantages of both asexual and sexual reproduction
for the plant?
Provide a couple of examples of how plants are pollinated.
What is fruit?
How are seeds dispersed?
Meeting the Need of Food and Fibre – Topic 4
 Describe a variety of farming practices past and present.
 Describe a variety of forestry practices past and present.
 Alberta’s agricultural crops.
 Reforestation
 Global problems with agriculture.
Sustaining Soil – Topic 5
 Describe what makes soil and what determines the health of soil
(humus, parent material).
 What components make up fertilizer?
 What consequences (positive and negative) does the use of this
chemical additive to the soil have on the environment?
 How does salinization occur is soils?
 4 ways to prevent soil errosion
 How can plants be grown in soil-less environments?
 Major decomposers found in soil and what they do.
Pest and Pest Controls
What is a pest? What is a pesticide? Types of pesticides.
Why is the dandelion a champion weed?
Know the common weeds and pests in Alberta and what harm they
cause.
How to control pest with Biological control (examples)?
What is bioaccumulation?
Why are organic foods more expensive?
Midterm Exam
The test is designed to last approximately 2 ½ hours. Read all
questions carefully, underline important information and answer with
as much information as you can.
Remember….many of the short and long answer questions will involve
application of the material learned (taking the material and applying to
real situations). Look over any questions I have assigned in class or for
homework.