Ecosystems and Biomes: Terms and Definitions, Quizzes of Plant Taxonomy and Evolution

Download Ecosystems and Biomes: Terms and Definitions and more Quizzes Plant Taxonomy and Evolution in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Ecology DEFINITION 1 study of the effects of the environment on living organisms, living organisms on the environment, and ogranisms on each other. TERM 2 ecological hierarchy DEFINITION 2 organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biosphere TERM 3 populations DEFINITION 3 members of single species living together TERM 4 habitat DEFINITION 4 location where the population is found TERM 5 niche DEFINITION 5 functional role, an organism plays in the ecosystem. TERM 6 plant community DEFINITION 6 different populations of plants living together in the same geographical area. TERM 7 dominant species DEFINITION 7 most influential species in the community. ex. redwood - redwood control structure and species composition of the community through light, wind, humidity, nutriets, pH TERM 8 ecosystem DEFINITION 8 functional unit of study in the environment, community with all its living organisms and non living organisms TERM 9 Each step in the food chain is called a ___ DEFINITION 9 tropic level (energy is lost at each level) TERM 10 ___ and ____ are decomposers of dead material DEFINITION 10 biomass and fungi(detritus food chain) TERM 21 primary succession DEFINITION 21 when plants establish on land completely devoid of soil and vegetation TERM 22 soil DEFINITION 22 portion of the earth surface of disintegrated rock and organic materials. Provides nutrients to plants (water and mineral), it is influenced by climate, topography, parent material, and time. TERM 23 pimrary succession for forest habitats DEFINITION 23 lichens(pioneer species)- mosses and ferns- grasses-shrubs- trees. TERM 24 Natural systems can sustain themselves while ___ cannot DEFINITION 24 disturbed systems TERM 25 best soil is ___ or ___ DEFINITION 25 neutral or slightly acidic TERM 26 soil pH DEFINITION 26 acid (low pH) or basic (high pH) soil influences soil fertility and nutrient availability TERM 27 organic matter DEFINITION 27 humus is decomposing organic matter in the soil TERM 28 soil texture- soils contain 3 particles: DEFINITION 28 sand, silt, clay(most important, holds nutrients) TERM 29 parent material DEFINITION 29 soil particles of naturally occurring inorganic material TERM 30 secondary succession DEFINITION 30 nautral forces or human invervention destroy the existing vegetation, when the disturbance stops the community starts again towards climax community through secondary succession TERM 31 since ____ secondary succession can take 5 to 10 times faster than primary DEFINITION 31 soil TERM 32 biomes DEFINITION 32 largest terrestial division of the biosphere, large distinct ecosystems, defined by distinctive vegetation and animal life TERM 33 biome distribution is largely controlled by climate: DEFINITION 33 temeperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, light, fire, soil type TERM 34 tundra DEFINITION 34 1. means land without trees 2. northenmost biome 3. climate: cold and dry, freezing temps , short growing season 4. soil: wet, shallow, permafrost- only top .5m thaws TERM 35 tundra plants DEFINITION 35 mostly perennials, no trees, grass-like plants, lichens mosses, short plants TERM 46 grasslands DEFINITION 46 n.American prairie, great plains, very low rainfall warm summers cool winters, fires major factor, soil is generally fertile, flat topography little tree TERM 47 grassland vegetation DEFINITION 47 most of thes plants are rhizomatous, grasses with deep roots adpted to fire, some have trees, savanna=tropical grassalnd. TERM 48 majority of grasslands is now used as DEFINITION 48 farmland- food cereals TERM 49 grassland animals DEFINITION 49 bison, gophers, coyote, prairie dogs, squirrels TERM 50 deserts DEFINITION 50 in n.america: new mexico, arizona, s cali, northern mexico. Low precipation/humidity, high temp. hot day COLD night, soil =low organic content, high mineral content TERM 51 hot deserts are ____ cold deserts are ____ DEFINITION 51 low, high TERM 52 cacti grow in ___ deserts DEFINITION 52 warm TERM 53 In deserts perennials and shrubs often have DEFINITION 53 reduced leaves to prevent water loss, spines and thorns for defense TERM 54 desert plants DEFINITION 54 plants adapted to dry, arid regions. (xerophytes), thick cuticle later, deep roots, succelent stems and leaves (all to keep water) TERM 55 desert crops DEFINITION 55 guayule: makes latex, jojoba seed: oil, and kenaf: fibers for paper TERM 56 desert animals DEFINITION 56 small and hard to find, reptiles, rodents, human intense grazing has destroyed much of patalable vegeation for sheep or cattle. poisonos plants an exotic weeds, TERM 57 chaparral DEFINITION 57 n america: s cali, mexico, called mediterranean. climate: cool/wet winter, rains nov and april, and hot and dry. steep slope terrain, hot winds and fire, generally poor soil TERM 58 chaparral plants DEFINITION 58 shrubs like chamise and manzanita. trees-oaks and some pines. evergreen/summer deciduous, lack of understory TERM 59 chaparral animals DEFINITION 59 diversity, especially ground birds, deer and small mammals TERM 60 tropical rainforest DEFINITION 60 central american, caribbean islands, equatorial s american, w africa, sw asia, pacific islands. florida hawii, very wet, temp high and constant, high humindity, growing season i year round soil is poor in minerals and nutrients, vegetation has high competition for light, tight canopy of trees, nearly all top canopy are woody . TERM 71 dinoflagellates DEFINITION 71 warmer waters during the summer, can cause red tide when population explodes, can cause major killing of fish in the bay TERM 72 pfiesteria DEFINITION 72 "cell from hell" secretes toxins that kill fish found in dinoflagellates TERM 73 noctiluca DEFINITION 73 bioluminescent dinoflagellate TERM 74 submerged aquatic vegetation DEFINITION 74 include grasses, which form an underwater carpet along shallow waters. They are hydrophytes- acquatic plants that live underwater and evolved from terrestrial plants TERM 75 hydrophytes DEFINITION 75 anatomical adaptations: - holes/spaces in their tissues allowing for gas exchange - chloroplast in epidermis of leaves - strap shaped leavers adapted to constant water movement - water pollination TERM 76 ecological functions of SAV DEFINITION 76 stabilize the bottom , lessen energy waves, promote sedimentation, provie shleter, provied fodo for some animals (ducks) TERM 77 marshes DEFINITION 77 tracts of wetland with grasses they line the edges. 3 kinds: - salt marshes- cloest to sea high in salt water - brackish marshes- further up the bay, mixture of salt and fresh water - fresh water marshes- even fruther up the bay where mixing with salt water is minimal TERM 78 saltmarsh grasses DEFINITION 78 spartina alterniflora- saltmarsh cord grass in the low marsh spartina patens- saltmeadow hay, is in the high marsh TERM 79 ecological use of marshes DEFINITION 79 -stabilize sediments with roots, improve water quality, trap sediment, absorb nutrients and pollution, provide food and habitat to many animals TERM 80 ecological concerns DEFINITION 80 chesapeake productivity has declined, the destruction of SAV to pollutants and soil, SAV don't get enough sunlight, blue crab population is declining , N pollution is an issue, loss of SAV creates more sediment and less oxygen TERM 81 biodiversity DEFINITION 81 the variety and variability of life forms, includes genetic and ecosystem diversity in a defined area over time TERM 82 plant divisions of biodiversity DEFINITION 82 Bryophyta (mosses, bryophytes): 24,000 sp. Polypodiophyta (ferns): 8,500 sp. Lycopodiophyta (club mosses): 1225 sp. Equisetophyta (horsetails): 29 sp. Psilotophyta (whisk ferns): 4 sp. Cycadophyta (cycads): 105 sp. Pinophyta (conifers): 600 sp. Ginkgophyta (ginkgo): 1 sp. Gnetophyta (gnetops): 70 sp. Magnoliophyta (flowering plants): 245,000 species TERM 83 two hypotheses for biodiversity DEFINITION 83 - rivet popper: each species is important in their own small way - redundancy: most are superfluous, only a few are essential to the ecosystem running smoothly TERM 84 crop production _____ with biodiversity DEFINITION 84 increases TERM 85 ___ occurs when a population diverges from another to become a separate species DEFINITION 85 speciation TERM 96 extirpation DEFINITION 96 loss of a species from a significant portion of its range TERM 97 endemic DEFINITION 97 species restricted to a defined geographical area TERM 98 what percent of species that have ever existed are now extinct? DEFINITION 98 99 TERM 99 background extinction DEFINITION 99 continuous low-level rate of species loss TERM 100 mass extinction DEFINITION 100 large loss of species in a brief geological period of time TERM 101 causes of mass extinction DEFINITION 101 climate- changes in climate always results in changes in biota, sudden profound changes result in mass extinction, gradual change result in displacement. -geologic-flooding, volcanic activity, continental drifts -meteorites - human impact- are the single largest cause of extinction now TERM 102 atmosphere DEFINITION 102 thin layer of gases that envelope the earth, held by gravity TERM 103 atsmospheric gases DEFINITION 103 O, N, CO2, Argon TERM 104 layers of the atmosphere DEFINITION 104 -thermosphere, mesophere (coldest), stratosphere (ozone jets fly here), troposphere (closest to earth's surace 75% of mass of atmosphere, warmest) TERM 105 fossil fuels DEFINITION 105 organic substances found in underground deposits formed in previous geologic periods and used as energy TERM 106 fossil fuels DEFINITION 106 coal, oil, and natural gas TERM 107 fossil fuel particles DEFINITION 107 comes from burning fossil fuels... sulfur from coal, carbon monoxide from fires and cars, nitrogen from cars and power plants, and hydrocarbons 80% natural sources and 20% from cars TERM 108 acid rain DEFINITION 108 acidic deposition that occurs near or downwind of areas where there are major emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, fall from atmosphere in the rain, can cause lung disorders TERM 109 This is when CO2 and other greenhouse gases are released into atmosphere from human activities DEFINITION 109 greenhouse effect (gases entrap infrared light and the heat is reflected back to earth) TERM 110 two main reasons that CO2 is increasing DEFINITION 110 -burning of fossil fuels which releases excessive amounts of CO2, - deforestation removing the trees which help to remove co2 through photosynthesis resulting in more co2 in the atmosphere TERM 121 ___ results in crop conformity (which allows pests to form more easily, and it more likely for the crop to succumb to unexpected stress DEFINITION 121 selective breeding TERM 122 loss of soil comes from DEFINITION 122 tilling(plowing) the land and the effects of wind and water TERM 123 soil is made of DEFINITION 123 organic and inorganic matte. topsoil is richest in organic matter, topsoil is lost in erosion, leaving the lower layer that is weaker in organic matter TERM 124 solutions to prevent erosion DEFINITION 124 - less plowing - less annual plants, more perennials - no-till agriculture - crop rotation - green manure crops - shelterbelts - contour cropping - strip intercropping TERM 125 salinization DEFINITION 125 salt builds up in the soil due to irrigation, freshwater used to irrigate salts contains salt, water evaporates and salt stays... TERM 126 solutions for salinzation DEFINITION 126 - trickle irrigation systems that deliver water directly to roots - laser leveling of fields to prevent soggy areas - restoration of salt-damaged land, by adding excess water TERM 127 desertification DEFINITION 127 expansion of desert at the expense of cropland or rangeland TERM 128 causes of desertification DEFINITION 128 - overgrazing - cultivating crops on nearly arid land, droughts cause crop loss - improper forestation -deforestation TERM 129 solutions to desertification DEFINITION 129 - replanting with drought tolerant plants - retiring the land (10-20 yrs without grazing) TERM 130 chemical fertilizers DEFINITION 130 excessive use ... they decrease organic matter in the soil... also fertilizer pollution in water causes overgrowth in algae with damages aquatic ecosystems TERM 131 solutions to chem fert. DEFINITION 131 - organic fertilizaers - crop rotation with leguminous crops (to provide nitrogen fixation) - water treatment to remove nitrate runoff TERM 132 pesticides DEFINITION 132 chemicals used to control insects, fungi, bacteria, nematodes which injure crops (pests can wipe out 10-20% of a crop) TERM 133 issues with pesticides DEFINITION 133 - insects develop tolerance, leads to higher usage - some are untested for health effects, some may cause cancer - leads to pollution of soil and water - kills helpful insects along with the harmful ones - some food has shown traces of pesticides in it TERM 134 solutions to pesticide use DEFINITION 134 - biological control (live organisms to eat pest insect) - parasitoid insects - IPM inegrated pest management, use biological control in tandem with pesiticide use only when necessary TERM 135 major challenge in agriculture today is ___ DEFINITION 135 producing enough food to feed the world's population TERM 146 biotechnology DEFINITION 146 use of living organisms to provide useful products for humanity , it is also the use of scientific techniques to create plants with new, useful characteristics TERM 147 goals of biotechnology and how they are acheived DEFINITION 147 - to identifiy a useful trait or characteristic - to incorporate it into a valuable crop plant acheived: - traditional plant breeding and genetic engineering TERM 148 selective breeding DEFINITION 148 1. select desired characteristics of crops 2. hybridization- mating the plants selectively to bring the genes together 3. offspring is combination of the desired genes 4. farmers save seeds from best plants to grow the next yr TERM 149 limitations of traditional (selective) breeding DEFINITION 149 - not specific enough (can cross with unwanted genes) - can only use genes from within one species - it takes many years to develop an improved variety TERM 150 genetic engineering DEFINITION 150 transfer of specific genes between organisms using techniques of molecular biology TERM 151 genetically modified plant DEFINITION 151 plant produced through genetic engineering and containing genes from another organism TERM 152 recombinant DNA technology DEFINITION 152 ability to construct new combos of DNA which don't naturally occur TERM 153 central dogma that occurs in all organisms DEFINITION 153 dna- rna- protein TERM 154 to recombine DNA you need: DEFINITION 154 restriction enzymes (cut DNA at specific regions), plasmids (small circular pieces of DNA bacteria TERM 155 restriction enzymes DEFINITION 155 -recognize short sequences of DNA and cut it, they recognize palindromic sequences (MADAMIMADAM) - by cutting they create DNA pieces with same overlapping ends "sticky end", two ends stick together and you get recombinant DNA TERM 156 transgenic DEFINITION 156 organism that contain a foreign gene in each of their cells TERM 157 how to make a transgenic plant: DEFINITION 157 1. Identify & isolate a useful gene 2. Using restriction enzymes, cut and insert gene into a plasmid, plus a marker 3. Vector transport the gene into the cell ​with either a) Agrobacterium or b) gene gun 4. Select transformed cells containing ​marker (usually antibiotic resistance) 5. Grow transgenic cells in ​agar culture grow transgenic plant TERM 158 some examples of plant gene technology: DEFINITION 158 1. herbicide resistant plants - for weed control in soybean fields 2. insect resistant - bt corn has insecticide protein from a bacteria, kills corn borer 3. disease resistant 4. ripening control (tomato) 5. enhanced nutiritional value (golden rice synthesizes with vit A) 6. healthier food products (soybean that unsaturated) 7. salt tolerance (transgenic tomoatos) 8. improved non food crops (cotton-polyester fibers) 9. pharmaceuticals/ vaccines: oral vaccines for certain diseases in banana TERM 159 risks of biotechnology DEFINITION 159 - spread of genes into wild relatives - effect on other organisms in environment - insects developing resistance - focus upon widespread use of a single crop ariety - production of allergens in food