Chapter Questions
Distinguish between the biotic community and the abiotic environmental factors of an ecosystem.
Define and compare the terms species, population, and ecosystem.
Compared with an ecosystem, what are an ecotone, a landscape, a biome, and a biosphere?
How do the terms organic and inorganic relate to the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem?
What are the six key elements in living organisms?
What features distinguish between organic and inorganic molecules?
In one sentence, define matter and energy, and demonstrate how they are related.
Give four examples of potential energy. In each case, how can the potential energy be converted into kinetic energy?
State two energy laws. How do they relate to entropy?
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis? Examine the origin and destination of each molecule referred to in the equation. Do the same for cellular respiration.
Describe the biogeochemical cycle of carbon as it moves into and through organisms and back to the environment. Do the same for phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur.
What are the major human impacts on the carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycles?