Unit 1 Study Guide (Ch. 1-4)
Concepts
□ I can explain the one-way flow of energy through the biosphere and how
stored biological energy in the biosphere is eventually “lost” as thermal
energy
□ I can explain how biological energy in the biosphere can be perceived as a
balance between both photosynthetic and chemosynthetic, and cellular
respiratory activities
□ I can explain the structure of ecosystem trophic levels, using models such
as food chains and food webs
□ I can explain quantitatively, energy exchange in ecosystems, using models
such as pyramids of energy , biomass, and numbers
□ I can explain the interrelationship of energy, matter and ecosystem
productivity (biomass production)
□ I can explain how the equilibrium between gas exchanges in photosynthesis
and cellular respiration influences atmospheric composition
□ I can explain and summarize the cycling of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and
phosphorus and relate it to the reuse of all matter in the biosphere
□ I can explain water’s role in the matter cycles, using its chemical and
physical properties
□ I can explain how the equilibrium between gas exchanges in photosynthesis
and cellular respiration influences atmospheric conditions
□ I can define and explain the interrelationship among species, population,
community, and ecosystem.
□ I can explain how a terrestrial or an aquatic ecosystem supports a diversity
of organisms through a variety of habitats and niches.
□ I can identify biotic and abiotic characteristics and explain their influence in
an aquatic and a terrestrial ecosystem in a local region
□ I can explain how limiting factors influence organism distribution and
range.
Vocabulary
Dynamic Equilibrium
Food Web
Abiotic Factor
Biosphere
Chemosynthesis
Biotic Factor
Biotic
Chemoautotroph
Ecotone
Abiotic
Thermodynamics
Artificial Ecosystem
Population
Ecological Pyramid
Natural Ecosystem
Community
Monoculture
Ecological Niche
Ecosystem
Polar Molecule
Biome
Biodiversity
Hydrogen Bond
Canopy
Food Chain
Hydrological Cycle
Permafrost
Producer
Transpiration
Muskeg
Consumer
Percolation
Understorey
Indicator Species
Water Table
Littoral Zone
Herbivore
Leaching
Limnetic Zone
Carnivore
Carbon Cycle
Plankton
Omnivore
Combustion
Profundal Zone
Detritus
Peat
Litter
Decomposer
Albedo
Topsoil
Habitat
Stromatolite
Humus
UV Radiation
Nitrogen Cycle
Subsoil
Ozone
Nitrogen Fixation
Bedrock
Trophic Level
Denitrification
Groundwater
Autotroph
Fertilizer
Oligotrophic
Primary Consumer
Phosphorus Cycle
Eutrophic
Secondary Consumer
Nutrient
Heterotroph
Ecology