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APES Ch 3 Flashcards

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14709248405BiosphereThe region of our planet where life resides, the combination of all ecosystems on Earth0
14709248406ProducerAn organism that uses the energy of the Sun to produce usable forms of energy (also known as autotroph)1
14709248407PhotosynthesisThe process by which producers use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose2
14709248408Cellular respirationThe process by which cells unlock the energy of chemical compounds3
14709248409ConsumerAn organism that is incapable of photosynthesis and must obtain its energy by consuming other organisms (also known as heterotroph)4
14709248410HerbivoreA consumer that eats producers (also known as Primary consumer)5
14709248411CarnivoreA consumer that eats other consumers6
14709248412Secondary consumerA carnivore that eats primary consumers7
14709248413Tertiary consumerA carnivore that eats secondary consumers8
14709248414Trophic levelsThe successive levels of organisms consuming one another9
14709248415Food webA complex model of how energy and matter move between trophic levels10
14709248416ScavengerAn organism that consumes dead animals11
14709248417DetritivoreAn organism that specializes in breaking down dead tissues and waste products into smaller particles12
14709248418DecomposersThe fungi and bacteria that complete the breakdown process by converting organic matter into small elements and molecules that can be recycled back into the ecosystem.13
14709248419Gross Primary ProductivityThe total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time14
14709248420Net Primary ProductivityThe energy captured by produces in an ecosystem minus the energy producers respire15
14709248421BiomassThe total mass of all living matter in a specific area16
14709248422Standing cropThe amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time17
14709248423Ecological efficiencyThe proportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to another18
14709248424Trophic pyramidA representation of the distribution of biomass, numbers, or energy among trophic levels19
14709248425Biogeochemical cycleThe movements of matter within and between ecosystems20
14709248426Hydrologic cycleThe movement of water through the biosphere21
14709248427TranspirationThe release of water from leaves during photosynthesis22
14709248428EvapotranspirationThe combined amount of evaporation and transpiration23
14709248429RunoffWater that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers24
14709248430Carbon CycleThe movement of carbon around the biosphere25
14709248431MacronutrientsKey elements that organisms need in relatively large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur26
14709248432Limiting nutrientA nutrient required for the growth of an organism but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients27
14709248433Nitrogen cycleThe movement of nitrogen around the biosphere28
14709248434Nitrogen fixationA process by which some organisms can convert nitrogen gas molecules directly into ammonia29
14709248435NitrificationThe conversion of ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate30
14709248436AssimilationThe process by which producers incorporate elements into their tissues31
14709248437AmmonificationThe process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic nitrogen found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic ammonium32
14709248438DenitrificationThe conversion of nitrate in a series of steps into the gases nitrous oxide and, eventually, nitrogen gas, which is emitted into the atmosphere33
14709248439LeachingThe transportation of dissolved molecules through the soil via groundwater34
14709248440Phosphorus cycleThe movement of phosphorus (which rarely changes form) around the biosphere35
14709248441HypoxicLow in oxygen36
14709248442Sulfur cycleThe movement of sulfur around the biosphere37
14709248443DisturbanceAn event, caused by physical , chemical, or biological agents, resulting in changes in population size or community composition38
14709248444WatershedAll land in a given landscape that drains into a particular stream, river, lake, or wetland39
14709248445ResistanceA measure of how much a disturbance can affect flows of energy and matter in an ecosystem40
14709248446ResilienceThe rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disturbance41
14709248447Restoration ecologyThe study and implementation of restoring damaged ecosystems42
14709248448Intermediate disturbance hypothesisThe hypothesis that ecosystems experiencing intermediate levels of disturbance are more diverse than those with high or low disturbance levels43
14709248449range of tolerancethe range of abiotic conditions within which an organism or population can survive and reproduce44
14709248450ocean acidificationThe process by which today's oceans are becoming more acidic as a result of increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. Occurs as ocean water absorbs CO2 from the air and forms carbonic acid. This threatens to dissolve coral reefs which would have strong impacts on ocean biodiversity.45
14709248451chemosynthesisusing inorganic chemicals to make food. Ex. Bacteria around volcanic vents on ocean floor.46

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