GGS 12: Chapter 3 Assignment
Read pages 67- 73 and answer the following questions on a separate piece of
loose-leaf!
1. Define the following key terms:
System
Open system
Closed system
Gaia hypothesis
Gaia
Producer
Consumer
Biotic
Abiotic
Ecology
Herbivores
Carnivores
Omnivores
Scavengers
Detritus feeders
Decomposers
Food chain
Trophic pattern
Trophic level
Food web
2. Who conceived the Gaia Hypothesis and why is it considered to be
“controversial”?
3. Do you agree with the concept of the Gaia Hypothesis? Yes or no support your
answer in detail!
4. What is an ecosystem? Why must there be a balance within an ecosystem?
5. What role do scavengers play in ecosystem?
6. In an ecosystem, what happens each time an organism eats another? Where
does all the energy begin?
7. How do we indicate the transfer of energy in a food web? (figure 3.26 on page
71)
8. What is a food pyramid? Why are these pyramids used when discussing
energy transfer?
9.
Create a detailed food web that may exist in the community where you live.
(see page 71 *change the animals)