Match the following terms with their definitions:
Model: A visual guide for abstract concepts
Anaerobic Organism: An organism that can perform respiration without oxygen
Biological Evolution: Defined as a change in the genetic makeup of a species overtime
Photosynthesis: Pathway in which Light energy is converted to Chemical Energy
Genetic Drift: Selection of traits by random chance
Natural Selection: The only mechanism in which the environment selects for better adapted individuals
Halophiles: An extremophile that can thrive in Utah’s Salt Lake, which has a large amount of salt
Water Chemistry: This affects the carrying capacity of the ocean
Answer the following questions/statements (each number should have a response):
1: In a food pyramid, 300,000 KJ of Energy are available to producers. How much of that Energy is available to the secondary consumers?
The amount of energy available to secondary consumers in a food pyramid is typically 10% of the energy available to the level below them. Therefore, the secondary consumers would have 10% of 300,000 KJ, which is 30,000 KJ.
2: What effect does protecting land have on biodiversity?
Protecting land helps to preserve and maintain biodiversity. By safeguarding natural habitats from destruction or degradation, it allows for the survival and reproduction of various species, contributing to their diversity and ecological balance.
3: What has more biodiversity: a cornfield, a rainforest, or the desert? Why is that the case?
A rainforest has more biodiversity compared to a cornfield or a desert. Rainforests are characterized by their high levels of species richness and ecological diversity. They provide a wide range of niches and habitats, supporting a vast array of plant and animal species. Cornfields, on the other hand, are monocultures and have limited species diversity. Deserts, although they can support unique and specialized organisms, generally have lower biodiversity due to the harsh environmental conditions.
4: What are some effects of acid rain?
Acid rain can have several detrimental effects, including:
- Damage to vegetation: Acid rain can harm or kill plants by damaging their leaves, decreasing their ability to photosynthesize, and disrupting nutrient absorption.
- Soil and water pollution: Acid rain can acidify soil and bodies of water, making them inhospitable for many plants and animals. It can also release toxic metals from soil, which can further contaminate water sources.
- Corrosion of buildings and infrastructure: Acid rain can erode and corrode building materials, statues, bridges, and other structures made of stone, metal, or concrete.
- Impact on aquatic ecosystems: Acid rain can lower the pH of lakes, rivers, and streams, making them unsuitable for certain aquatic organisms. It can also affect fish populations by disrupting their reproductive processes.
5: Where does cellular respiration begin and end in Eukaryotes?
In eukaryotes, cellular respiration begins in the cytoplasm with glycolysis, which breaks down glucose into pyruvate molecules. The process continues in the mitochondria, where the pyruvate is further broken down in the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle). The final stage of cellular respiration, the electron transport chain, occurs on the inner membrane of the mitochondria. This is where most of the ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is generated, providing energy for the cell.