Biome Study Guide - KEY
1. Know the definitions for the following words
biodiversity – the variety of life within a biome; includes genetic variation
abiotic factor - the non-living parts of a biome; examples – air, rocks, water
biotic factor – the living parts of a biome; examples – animals, plants, bacteria, fungi
commensalism – one organism in a biotic relationship benefits, while the other is neither helped not harmed; orchids
and trees
mutualism – both organisms in a biotic relationship benefit from the relationship; bees and flowers
niche – an organism’s unique place in its biome
biosphere – all life on Earth
invasive species – organism that is not native to an area and is able to out compete native species for resources; cause
environmental and economic harm
2. What are the factors used to classify a biome? Temperature, precipitation, latitude, elevation, type of plants, types of
animals
3. T/F Loss of biodiversity impacts ecosystems as much as climate change and pollution. T
4. T/F More biologically diverse ecosystems are more productive. T
5. T/F The loss of biodiversity can have a huge negative impact on nature’s ability to provide food, clean water and a
stable climate. T
6. What happens to plants and animals when their environments change and they can’t adapt? They die
7. What are the global impacts of loss of biodiversity? Loss of food resources, lack of shelter, loss of clean water
resources
8. How can humans impact the biosphere? Deforestation, pollution, uncontrolled population growth, destruction of
habitat, over harvesting of food resources, unsustainable farming practices
9. What are the five ways that organisms can interact? Give an example of each.
Predation – one organism benefits, the other dies – lion eats the giraffe
Parasitism – one organism benefits, the other is harmed – tapeworm in its host
Mutualism – both organisms benefit – bees and flowers
Commensalism – one organism benefits, the other is neither helped nor harmed – orchid growing on a tree
Mimicry – a non-toxic species looks very similar to a toxic species to avoid predation – viceroy and monarch
butterflies
10. What are some of the invasive species that have an impact in North Carolina? Kudzu, Indo-Pacific lionfish
11. What are the main human impacts on the biosphere in North Carolina? over harvesting of resources, pollution, habitat
loss, deforestation
12. How can humans decrease our impact on the biosphere? Better plan for population growth, practice careful harvesting
of resources, reduce-reuse-recycle, invest in sustainable energy sources, be good stewards of the Earth
13. List the trophic levels in the diagram below and explain how energy flows through it.
As energy flows up the food chain, 10% of the energy is lost at each level
14. Explain the difference between a food web and a food chain. A food chain follows the flow of energy through a
specific set of organisms (grass to cricket to mouse to snake to hawk). A food web shows the flow of energy through
the organisms of an entire ecosystem.