Ecosystem Carrying Capacity Final

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What is photosynthesis?

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which producers, such as plants, convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, using carbon dioxide and water.

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What are producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

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Define secondary consumers.

Back

Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers (herbivores) in a food chain.

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What is interspecific competition?

Back

Interspecific competition occurs when individuals of different species compete for the same resources in an ecosystem.

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How does interspecific competition affect population size?

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Interspecific competition typically decreases the population size of one or both competing species.

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What is carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

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What happens when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

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When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, resources become limited, leading to increased competition, stress, and potential population decline.

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What is a consequence of overpopulation in an ecosystem?

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A consequence of overpopulation can be the spread of disease, as crowded conditions facilitate transmission.

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What are decomposers?

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Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

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What is the role of primary consumers?

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Primary consumers are herbivores that feed on producers, transferring energy from plants to higher trophic levels.