UNIT 5

Chapter 15
The Biosphere
 UNIT 5: ECOLOGY
Chapter 15: The Biosphere

I. Life in the Earth System (15.1)

A. The biosphere is the portion of the Earth
that is inhabited by life
1. Biosphere- part of Earth where life
exists
a. Includes all living and non-
living parts
b. Biota- collection of just
living things in biosphere
a. Includes all living and non-living parts
b. Biota- collection of just living things in biosphere
2. Earth has 4 major connected systems
a. Biosphere
b. Hydrosphere- all of Earth’s water, ice,
water vapor
c. Atmosphere- the air
blanketing Earth’s solid
and liquid surface

d. Geosphere- features
of Earth’s surface
(continents, rocks, sea
floor, and everything
below Earth’s surface
B. Biotic and Abiotic factors interact in the
biosphere

1. All four of Earth’s

systems are
connected to
another

2. Gaia
hypothesis- Earth
itself is kind of a
“living organism”
II. Climate (15.2)
A. Climate is the prevailing weather of a
region
1. Weather- day to day conditions
2. Climate- long term pattern of
weather conditions
2. Climate- long term pattern of weather conditions
B. Key factors that shape an area’s climate

1. temperature- key
factor

2. sunlight

3. water (moisture)-
key factor

4. wind
4. Landmasses- also shape climate
a. Coastal areas tend to have smaller
changes in temperature (moderated by
oceans)
b. Mountains have large effect on climate-
causes precipitation
western slope eastern slope
5. Adaptation to Climate- Many organisms adapted
to survive in specific climate
III. Biomes (15.3)
A. Earth has 6 major biomes- Each biome
characterized by certain set of abiotic
factors, ecosystems
 1. Tropical Rain Forest
Biome- warm temperatures,
abundant precipitation all
year, lush forests

Source: World Meteorological Organization

2. Grassland Biome-
primary plant life is
grass. Occurs in variety
of climates
 3. Desert Biome- arid
environment, little
precipitation, four types: hot,
semi-arid, coastal, and cold
4. Temperate Forests-
Include deciduous forests
and rain forests. Temperate
deciduous forests have hot
summers and cold winters.
Deciduous trees are the
dominant plant species
5. Taiga- Found in cool
northern climates. Long
winters, short summers. Small
amount of precipitation
6. Tundra- Far northern
latitudes with long winters (10
months) limited precipitation,
permafrost
7. Minor biomes- example: chaparral- hot, dry
summers and cool, moist winters
B. Polar ice caps and mountains are not
considered biomes
1. Polar ice caps- have no soil and do not
have specific plant community

a. Found at poles
(north and south)

b. Most animals
depend on sea for food
IV. Marine Ecosystems (15.4)
A. The ocean can be divided into zones
1. Ocean Zones
b. Divided between areas that receive light (photic
zone) and those that do not (aphotic zone)

photic zone

aphotic zone
V. Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems (15.5)
A. Estuaries are dynamic environments
where rivers flow into the ocean
1. Estuary- partially enclosed body of
water formed where a river flows into
the ocean
a. Mix of fresh and salt water
b. River carries lots of nutrients
c. Large numbers of species thrive and are highly
productive ecosystems
d. Provide refuge for many species and spawning
grounds
e. Over 80% of
estuaries have been
lost to land
development
B. Freshwater ecosystems include moving and
standing water
1. Freshwater ecosystems- rivers, streams,
wetlands
2. among most
productive
ecosystems on
Earth
C. Ponds and lakes share common features
1. Smaller in size than oceans, but also
divided into zones
 Chapter 15
The Biosphere
The average year-after-year conditions of
temperature and precipitation in a particular region is
the region’s
a. weather.
b. latitude.
c. ecosystem.
d. climate.
The average year-after-year conditions of
temperature and precipitation in a particular region is
the region’s
a. weather.
b. latitude.
c. ecosystem.
d. climate.
The Earth’s climate is, in part, created by the
interplay of
a. temperatures, ecosystems, and wind.
b. landmasses, the atmosphere, and the ocean.
c. weather, heat transport, and the environment.
d. solar radiation, surface temperatures, and
biomes.
The Earth’s climate is, in part, created by the
interplay of
a. temperatures, ecosystems, and wind.
b. landmasses, the atmosphere, and the
ocean.
c. weather, heat transport, and the environment.
d. solar radiation, surface temperatures, and
biomes.
The loss of heat to space is slowed by
a. radiation entering the atmosphere.
b. atmospheric gases.
c. solar energy.
d. the biosphere.
The loss of heat to space is slowed by
a. radiation entering the atmosphere.
b. atmospheric gases.
c. solar energy.
d. the biosphere.
The greenhouse effect is
a. the result of an excess of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.
b. a natural phenomenon that maintains Earth’s
temperature range.
c. the result of the differences in the angle of the
sun’s rays.
d. an unnatural phenomenon that causes heat
energy to be radiated back into the atmosphere.
The greenhouse effect is
a. the result of an excess of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.
b. a natural phenomenon that maintains
Earth’s temperature range.
c. the result of the differences in the angle of the
sun’s rays.
d. an unnatural phenomenon that causes heat
energy to be radiated back into the atmosphere.
Earth has three main climate zones because of the
differences in latitude and
a. amount of solar energy received.
b. angle of heating.
c. ocean currents.
d. prevailing winds.
Earth has three main climate zones because of the
differences in latitude and
a. amount of solar energy received.
b. angle of heating.
c. ocean currents.
d. prevailing winds.
Cool air over the poles will
a. rise.
b. sink.
c. absorb heat from the equator.
d. flow parallel to Earth’s surface.
Cool air over the poles will
a. rise.
b. sink.
c. absorb heat from the equator.
d. flow parallel to Earth’s surface.
The unequal heating of Earth’s surface
a. drives wind and ocean currents.
b. causes winds that transport heat throughout
the biosphere.
c. has important effects on Earth’s climate
regions.
d. all of the above
Each of the following is an abiotic factor in the
environment EXCEPT
a. plant life.
b. soil type.
c. rainfall.
d. temperature.
Each of the following is an abiotic factor in the
environment EXCEPT
a. plant life.
b. soil type.
c. rainfall.
d. temperature.
Which is a biotic factor that affects the size of a
population in a specific ecosystem?
a. average temperature of the ecosystem
b. type of soil in the ecosystem
c. number and kinds of predators in the
ecosystem
d. concentration of oxygen in the ecosystem
Which is a biotic factor that affects the size of a
population in a specific ecosystem?
a. average temperature of the ecosystem
b. type of soil in the ecosystem
c. number and kinds of predators in the
ecosystem
d. concentration of oxygen in the ecosystem
An organism’s niche is
a. the way the organism uses the range of
physical and biological conditions in which it lives.
b. all the physical and biological factors in the
organism’s environment.
c. the range of temperatures that the organism
needs to survive.
d. a full description of the place an organism
lives.
An organism’s niche is
a. the way the organism uses the range of
physical and biological conditions in which it
lives.
b. all the physical and biological factors in the
organism’s environment.
c. the range of temperatures that the organism
needs to survive.
d. a full description of the place an organism
lives.
Several species of warblers can live in the same
spruce tree ONLY because they
a. have different habitats within the tree.
b. eat different foods within the tree.
c. occupy different niches within the tree.
d. can find different temperatures within the tree.
Several species of warblers can live in the same
spruce tree ONLY because they
a. have different habitats within the tree.
b. eat different foods within the tree.
c. occupy different niches within the tree.
d. can find different temperatures within the tree.
An interaction in which one organism captures and
feeds on another organism is called
a. competition.
b. sybiosis.
c. mutualism.
d. predation.
An interaction in which one organism captures and
feeds on another organism is called
a. competition.
b. sybiosis.
c. mutualism.
d. predation.
Different species can share the same habitat, but
competition among them is reduced if they
a. reproduce at different times.
b. eat less.
c. move away.
d. occupy different niches.
Different species can share the same habitat, but
competition among them is reduced if they
a. reproduce at different times.
b. eat less.
c. move away.
d. occupy different niches.
No two species can occupy the same niche in the
same habitat at the same time
a. because of the interactions that shape the
ecosystem.
b. unless the species require different abiotic
factors.
c. because of the competitive exclusion principle.

d. unless the species require different biotic

factors.
No two species can occupy the same niche in the
same habitat at the same time
a. because of the interactions that shape the
ecosystem.
b. unless the species require different abiotic
factors.
c. because of the competitive exclusion
principle.
d. unless the species require different biotic
factors.
A symbiosis in which both species benefit is
a. commensalism.
b. mutualism.
c. predation.
d. parasitism.
A symbiosis in which both species benefit is
a. commensalism.
b. mutualism.
c. predation.
d. parasitism.
The symbiotic relationship between a flower and the
insect that feeds on its nectar is an example of
a. mutualism because the flower provides the
insect with food, and the insect pollinates the flower.
b. parasitism because the insect lives off the
nectar from the flower.
c. commensalism because the insect doesn’t
harm the flower and the flower doesn’t benefit from
the relationship.
d. predation because the insect feeds on the
flower.
The symbiotic relationship between a flower and the
insect that feeds on its nectar is an example of
a. mutualism because the flower provides the
insect with food, and the insect pollinates the
flower.
b. parasitism because the insect lives off the
nectar from the flower.
c. commensalism because the insect doesn’t
harm the flower and the flower doesn’t benefit from
the relationship.
d. predation because the insect feeds on the
flower.
The series of predictable changes that occurs in a
community over time is called
a. population growth.
b. ecological succession.
c. climax community.
d. climate change.
The series of predictable changes that occurs in a
community over time is called
a. population growth.
b. ecological succession.
c. climax community.
d. climate change.
Primary succession can begin after
a. a forest fire.
b. a lava flow.
c. farm land is abandoned.
d. a severe storm.
Primary succession can begin after
a. a forest fire.
b. a lava flow.
c. farm land is abandoned.
d. a severe storm.
Which of the following occurs during the ecological
succession of an ecosystem?
a. An ecosystem reaches a final, unchanging
stage.
b. Changes occur that are caused by organisms
outside the ecosystem.
c. Living organisms modify their environment a
little at a time.
d. Parts of communities split off to form new
communities.
Which of the following occurs during the ecological
succession of an ecosystem?
a. An ecosystem reaches a final, unchanging
stage.
b. Changes occur that are caused by organisms
outside the ecosystem.
c. Living organisms modify their environment
a little at a time.
d. Parts of communities split off to form new
communities.
Which biome is characterized by very low
temperatures, little precipitation, and permafrost?
a. desert
b. temperate forest
c. tundra
d. tropical dry forest
Which biome is characterized by very low
temperatures, little precipitation, and permafrost?
a. desert
b. temperate forest
c. tundra
d. tropical dry forest
A biome is identified by its particular set of abiotic
factors and its
a. average precipitation and temperature.
b. characteristic ecological community.
c. distance from the equator.
d. specific geographical location.
A biome is identified by its particular set of abiotic
factors and its
a. average precipitation and temperature.
b. characteristic ecological community.
c. distance from the equator.
d. specific geographical location.
Which is NOT an adaptation that organisms have for
living in flowing water?
a. hooks
b. plankton
c. streamlined bodies
d. suckers
Which is NOT an adaptation that organisms have for
living in flowing water?
a. hooks
b. plankton
c. streamlined bodies
d. suckers
The photic zone
a. extends to the bottom of the open ocean.
b. extends to a depth of about 200 meters.
c. is deep, cold, and permanently dark.
d. is where chemosynthetic bacteria are the
producers.
The photic zone
a. extends to the bottom of the open ocean.
b. extends to a depth of about 200 meters.
c. is deep, cold, and permanently dark.
d. is where chemosynthetic bacteria are the
producers.
Which organism lives where it is routinely exposed
to air, heat, battering waves, strong currents, and is
often submerged?
a. sea stars
b. tube worms
c. dolphins
d. whales
Which organism lives where it is routinely exposed
to air, heat, battering waves, strong currents, and is
often submerged?
a. sea stars
b. tube worms
c. dolphins
d. whales
In the food web below, which of the organixms, X, Y,
or Z, is a herbivore?

a. Z c. Both X and Y
b. Y d. X
In the food web below, which of the organixms, X, Y,
or Z, is a herbivore?

a. Z c. Both X and Y
b. Y d. X
The picture above represents _________.
a. ecological evolution c. ecological growth
b. ecological succession d. ecological symbiosis
The picture above represents _________.
a. ecological evolution c. ecological growth
b. ecological succession d. ecological symbiosis
The climate diagram below probably illustrates which
of the following major biomes.
a. desert c. temperate forest
b. tropical savanna d. tropical rain forest
The climate diagram below probably illustrates which
of the following major biomes.
a. desert c. temperate forest
b. tropical savanna d. tropical rain forest