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APES Chapter 3 Flashcards

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11250963289EcosystemParticular location on Earth distinguished by its particular mix of interacting biotic and abiotic components.0
11250963290ProducersAlso known as autotrophs. They use solar energy to produce usable forms of energy with photosynthesis.1
11250963291AutotrophAn organism that makes its own food via photosynthesis or chemosynthesis2
11250963292Photosynthesis equationSolar energy + 6 H20 + 6 CO2 turns into C6H12O6 + 6 O2.3
11250963293Cellular RespirationProcess by which organisms produce ATP energy by breaking down Sugar. Glucose + Oxygen --> Water + ATP Energy + CO24
11250963294Consumers/HeterotrophsOrganisms incapable of photosynthesis. Must get energy from consuming other organisms.5
11250963295Primary ConsumersOrganisms that consume producers (typically herbivores)6
11250963296Secondary ConsumersOrganisms that eat primary consumers (typically carnivores or omnivores)7
11250963297Trophic LevelsFeeding levels.8
11250963302Decomposers/DetritivoresFungi and bacteria that complete the breakdown process by recycling the nutrients from dead tissues and wastes back into the ecosystem.9
11250963303Gross Primary ProductivityTotal amount of solar energy that the producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time.10
11250963304Net Primary ProductivityEnergy captured minus the energy respired by producers.11
11250963305Biomass PyramidDiagram that shows the amount of biomass at each trophic level. Pyramid in shape.12
11250963306Numbers PyramidDiagram that shows the number of organisms that occupy each trophic level in a given ecosystem. Pyramid in shape.13
11250963307Ecological EfficiencyProportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to the next14
11250963308Trophic PyramidDiagram that represents the amount of energy at each trophic level. Decreases by about 10% each time15
11250963309Biogeochemical CyclesMovement of matter within an between ecosystems.16
11250963310Hydrologic CycleThe pathways water takes as it travels through Earth's spheres/systems.17
11250963311EvaporationTransformation of liquid water into water vapor18
11250963312CondensationWater vapor goes from a gas to liquid often to form clouds19
11250963313TranspirationPlants release water from their leaves into the atmosphere20
11250963315RunoffWater moving across land surface and into water bodies, eventually reaching ocean.21
11250963316Carbon CycleThe movement of carbon through Earth's spheres/systems. Largest reservoir is rock/geosphere. Largest sink is the ocean.22
11250963317PhotosynthesisProcess by which producers/autotrophs capture the energy of sunlight and store it in sugars.23
11250963319Limiting NutrientA nutrient whose amount available limits growth of organisms.24
11250963320Nitrogen FixationProcess by which bacterial organisms convert N2 into ammonia NH3.25
11250963321AssimilationProcess where an organism takes up or consumes a nutrient.26
11250963322AmmonificationProcess by which bacteria (decomposers) in soil and water break down biological nitrogen compounds into ammonia.27
11250963323NitrificationProcess by which Bacteria convert ammonium NH4+ into nitrite NO2- and then into Nitrate NO3-28
11250963324DenitrificationProcess by which bacteria in oxygen poor soil and stagnant water convert nitrate into nitrous oxide N2O and nitrogen gas N229
11250963325Nitrogen CycleThe movement of nitrogen through Earth's spheres/systems. Largest reservoir is the atmosphere.30
11250963326LeachingProcess by which nitrates or other minerals are transported through the soil with water.31
11250963327Phosphorus CycleThe movement of phosphorus through Earth's spheres/systems. Largest reservoir is rock/geosphere. Weathering of uplifted rocks contribute phosphates to the land and some phosphate make their way back to the ocean. It is NOT found in the atmosphere.32
11250963328EutrophicationCaused by excessive phosphates and nitrates in bodies of water. Leads to overgrowth of producers (usually algae), followed by decomposers, and low oxygen conditions.33
11250963329Algal BloomAn immediate increase in the amount of algae and other producers that results from a large input of a limiting nutrient - typically nitrogen or phosphorus.34
11250963330HypoxicAn area that is deficient in oxygen. Typical during algal bloom/eutrophication.35
11250963331WatershedAll of the land in a given landscape that drains into a particular stream, river, lake, or wetland.36
11250963336Tertiary consumerCarnivores that eat secondary consumers.37
15321999884Carbon Sinkanything that absorbs more carbon that it releases (plants, ocean, soil)38
15322007259Carbon SourceAnything that releases more carbon than it absorbs (Forest fires, animal respiration, burning of fossil fuels)39

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