Biology Unit 1 Review (General Level)

The processes of condensation and precipitation are integral parts of the water cycle. Condensation occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes into liquid water, forming clouds. Precipitation happens when the condensed water droplets in the clouds become too heavy and fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. These two processes are crucial for the continuous circulation of water on Earth, as they help maintain the balance of water resources and contribute to the replenishment of freshwater sources.

Rain, snow, sleet, and hail are all forms of precipitation. Precipitation refers to any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. This can include rain, snow, sleet, or hail, depending on the temperature and atmospheric conditions.

A biotic factor refers to a living component within an ecosystem. The carnivores that consume other animals are a biotic factor because they are living organisms that directly interact with and have an impact on other organisms within the ecosystem. The type of climate in a given region, the amount of nitrogen gas in the air, and the rate of flow of water in a river are abiotic factors as they are non-living components that affect the ecosystem.

Nitrogen is changed into a form that can be used by plants and animals through the processes of lightning and bacteria. Lightning provides the energy needed to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be absorbed by plants, a process known as nitrogen fixation. Bacteria, specifically nitrogen-fixing bacteria, also play a crucial role in converting nitrogen gas into a usable form through a biological process called nitrogen fixation. Both lightning and bacteria contribute to the transformation of nitrogen into a form that is essential for the growth and development of plants and animals.

In a cleared field, grasses are usually the first plants to appear. They are fast-growing and can quickly colonize the area. As the grasses establish themselves, they create a more favorable environment for shrubs to grow. Shrubs, with their deeper roots and larger size, can outcompete the grasses and take over the area. Finally, as the shrubs continue to grow and create a more shaded and protected environment, trees can begin to establish themselves. Therefore, the likely order of succession of plants in a cleared field in Montgomery County, MD is grasses - shrubs - trees.

Lichens are the most likely to be seen first in an area of new land created by lava flow. Lichens are a symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium, and they are known to colonize barren and inhospitable environments, including areas with minimal soil or nutrients. Lichens are able to survive in extreme conditions and can slowly break down rocks and contribute to the formation of soil, making them one of the first organisms to establish in a new land created by lava flow.

Carbon is found in the Earth's atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that is produced by various natural processes and human activities. It is essential for the survival of plants, as they use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. When these fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

This question is testing the understanding of the concept of abiotic factors, which are non-living components of an ecosystem that can influence the survival and growth of organisms. The given statement about a fern needing moisture, light, carbon dioxide, and minerals to survive and grow demonstrates the dependence of organisms on abiotic factors. These factors are essential for the fern's basic physiological processes such as photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and reproduction. Therefore, the correct answer is abiotic factors.

Matter is recycled, but energy is not because matter can be transformed and reused in different forms, such as through chemical reactions or physical processes. On the other hand, energy is not recycled because it is constantly being converted from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed according to the law of conservation of energy. Therefore, energy is constantly being transferred and dissipated, resulting in a decrease in its usable form over time.