Organisms interact with each other and the physical environment. How can the response of diatom populations to a drop in nutrient availability affect both other organisms and aspects of the physical environment?
Match the terms in the left column to the appropriate blanks in the sentences on the right. Not all terms will be used.
ResetHelp
consumers
concentration of N2N2
sea levels
diatoms
decomposers
debris
concentration of CO2CO2
carbon
nitrogen
global temperatures
organisms that eat diatoms
A drop in diatom abundance affects other organisms, such as the Blank that depend on diatoms for food, either directly (by eating Blank) or indirectly (by eating Blank).target 1 of 6target 2 of 6target 3 of 6
Furthermore, a drop in diatom abundance can reduce the amount of Blank exported to the ocean floor, thereby affecting a physical feature of the environment, the Blank. This affects Blank. As a result, other aspects of the physical environment and other organisms (including those that do not depend on diatoms for food) ultimately might be affected by a drop in the concentration of nutrients used by diatoms.target 4 of 6target 5 of 6target 6 of 6