Chapter 4 Lesson 1 Vocabulary Homework

An ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as their physical environment, such as air, water, and soil. It encompasses all the interactions and relationships between these living and nonliving components within a specific area. Therefore, an ecosystem is a comprehensive term that encompasses everything within a particular environment, making it the correct answer to the question.

Competition refers to the process that organisms go through to obtain a resource that is available in limited supply. In nature, different organisms often compete for resources such as food, water, mates, or territory. This competition can be fierce and can involve various strategies and adaptations to increase their chances of obtaining the limited resource. Overall, competition plays a crucial role in shaping the interactions and dynamics of ecosystems.

Symbiosis is the correct answer because it refers to the long-term relationship between two different organisms. It can involve mutual benefit (mutualism), one organism benefiting while the other is unaffected (commensalism), or one organism benefiting while the other is harmed (parasitism). Symbiosis is a fundamental concept in ecology and highlights the interconnectedness and interdependence of different species in an ecosystem.

Abiotic factors are nonliving components of an ecosystem that have a significant impact on the organisms within it. These factors include things like temperature, sunlight, water availability, soil composition, and air quality. As a nonliving part of an ecosystem, abiotic factors play a crucial role in shaping the environment and determining the types of organisms that can survive and thrive in a particular ecosystem.

The term "niche" refers to the role that a species plays within a community. It encompasses the specific interactions and relationships that a species has with other organisms and its environment. The niche of a species includes factors such as its habitat, diet, behavior, and the resources it utilizes. By occupying a specific niche, a species is able to carve out its own ecological niche and contribute to the overall functioning and diversity of the community.

The term "biotic factor" refers to any living thing in an ecosystem. This includes plants, animals, and microorganisms. Biotic factors play a crucial role in the functioning of an ecosystem as they interact with each other and with the non-living components of the environment. They contribute to the overall biodiversity and balance of the ecosystem. Therefore, the correct answer to the question "I am any living thing in an ecosystem. What am I?" is "biotic factor".

A community refers to a group of individuals living in a specific area. It encompasses all the populations within that area, including people from different backgrounds, cultures, and social groups. The term "community" emphasizes the interconnectedness and shared interests among its members, highlighting the sense of belonging and collective identity that exists within a particular geographic location.

A population refers to a group of organisms of the same species that live in a specific area. It includes all individuals of the species in that particular location and encompasses their interactions and dynamics within the ecosystem. Therefore, the term "population" accurately describes the collection of organisms of the same kind living in a specific area.

The Sun is the primary source of energy for the Earth. It provides heat and light, which leads to the process of evaporation. Evaporation occurs when the Sun's energy causes water molecules to gain enough energy to change from a liquid state to a gaseous state. This process is essential for the water cycle and plays a crucial role in weather patterns and the distribution of water resources on Earth. Therefore, it is correct to say that the Sun is the source of energy that causes evaporation to occur on Earth.

Events that happen in the same order over and over again are part of a cycle. A cycle refers to a recurring sequence of events or actions that repeat in a specific pattern. In the context of ecosystems, various natural processes like the water cycle, carbon cycle, and nutrient cycle occur in a repetitive manner. These cycles play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and functioning of ecosystems by ensuring the continuous flow and recycling of essential elements and resources. Therefore, the events happening in the same order repeatedly can be attributed to a cycle.

This statement is false. While some water on our planet may be very old, it is not the original water that was here 3 billion years ago. Water is constantly cycling through the Earth's systems, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Additionally, water can be created through chemical reactions and released through volcanic activity. Therefore, the water on our planet is a combination of both ancient and newly formed water.

A decrease in plants would lead to a decrease in the food supply for animals. Plants are a primary source of food for many animals, so a decrease in their population would result in a decrease in the number of animals that can be supported by the ecosystem. This could lead to competition for resources, starvation, and ultimately a decrease in the overall population of animals in the area.

Water, air, minerals, and sunlight are considered abiotic factors because they are non-living components of an ecosystem. Biotic factors refer to living organisms, while abiotic factors include physical and chemical elements that influence the environment but are not alive. In this case, water, air, minerals, and sunlight are essential for the functioning of ecosystems, but they are not themselves living organisms.