Biology Grade 9 Science Exam Review

Front 1

What is the Biosphere and what are the 3 components of it

Back 1

The biosphere is the layer of life on the earth's surface. The three components are Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere

Front 2

What is a ecosystem

Back 2

All of the living organisms and their physical and chemical environment. Can be any size. As small as a handful of soil or as big as the earth.

Front 3

What are the 2 types of ecosystem

Back 3

Aquatic and Terrestrial

Front 4

What is an ecological niche

Back 4

An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in an environment. Like, how it meets its needs for things, such as shelter, food, how it survives, and how it reproduces.

An ecological niche includes all interaction with biotic and abiotic factors on the environment.

Front 5

What are biotic factors

Back 5

Biotic factors are living things, their remains, and items associated with their actions

Front 6

What are abiotic factors

Back 6

Abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living thing organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

Front 7

What is Equilibrium

Back 7

Equilibrium means that their biotic and abiotic are relatively constant over time meaning that

- Abiotic conditions are stable

- Energy and nutrients are cycled through food webs

- Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are balanced

- Populations are healthy and stable

Front 8

What is sustainability/sustainable ecosystem

Back 8

Sustainable is the property of biological systems to remain diverse and productive. An example of a sustainable ecosystem would be a long lived and healthy wasteland.

Front 9

What is Biodiversity

Back 9

Biodiversity is the variety of life found in an area, calculated by counting the numbers of different species in a specific habitat or ecosystem. The more diverse an ecosystem is, the more it can withstand disturbances such as disease or drought. These ecosystems are more likely to remain healthy and stable. Biodiversity leads to sustainable ecosystems.

Front 10

What is photosynthesis (who performs it)

Back 10

Photosynthesis is the process of which the sun's energy is converted into chemical energy. Photosynthesis is only performed by producers that contain a chemical called chlorophyll. They create their own energy from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Plants store the energy as sugar.

Front 11

What is Cellular Respiration

Back 11

Cellular Respiration is the process of 'burning' sugars to perform functions. It relates to photosynthesis because the plants take in the sunlight (food) and burn it into energy and sugars to store. We consume and rely on plants and other animals for our own food energy.

Front 12

What is limiting factor

Back 12

Limiting factors are environmental conditions that restrict growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population of organism or a population of organisms in an ecosystem.

Front 13

What is Tolerance range

Back 13

Tolerance range is the abiotic conditions withing which a species can survive. Near the limits of their tolerance range, individuals experience stress and threaten their survival. The optimal range is where the species is best adapted.

Front 14

What is pollution

Back 14

Pollution is any substance that's added to the environment. Pollutants can be found in the air, soil, or water.

Front 15

What are two ways humans affect ecosystem by pollution

Back 15

Oil spills in the ocean result in birds and animals being coated in oil. It makes them unable to keep warm or fly which gives them the possibility to die.

Also, urban sprawl is destroying ecosystems.

Front 16

What is carrying capacity

Back 16

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a particular species that a given ecosystem can sustain. As population increases, so do the demands for the resources such as food, water and shelter. Carrying capacity can be altered naturally (through predation) or by human activity.