How did Earth form? What are some
reasons it could not support life?
Earth formed from the collision of large meteors in
space that eventually cooled and orbited the sun.
Earth could not initially support life because the
environment was too hostile. The surface was
molten, the atmosphere was filled with toxic gases
and there was no ozone layer to protect earth from
the harmful rays of the sun.
Where did Earth’s earliest life forms
appear?
The earliest life forms appeared in the ocean.
ocean
Why were cyanobacteria important in
the evolution of life on earth?
Cyanobacteria made their own food through
photosynthesis. This process releases oxygen gas
into the atmosphere. Cyanobacteria changed
the composition of the atmosphere from toxic
to oxygen rich.
What is the hydrosphere? Where is
most of the ____ in the hydrosphere
found
The hydrosphere contains all the water found on
earth.
Most of the water in the hydrosphere is found in
oceans.
What are the major parts of the water
cycle?
The major parts of the water cycle include
evaporation, condensation, transpiration, &
precipitation. (Run off is also a part of the water
cycle)
Sketch a diagram of the carbon cycle
What are some positive and negative
impacts of the industrial revolution?
• Positive impacts of the industrial revolution
include an improved quality of life for
humans.
• Negative impacts of the industrial revolution
include habitat loss for animals and increased
pollution into the environment.
What are some natural resources?
• Some natural resources include water, wood,
natural gas and fossil fuels.
What is the scientific method?
Describe the steps.
• The scientific method is a series of steps taken to
answer a question. An observation of the world
is made leading to a question. A hypothesis or
possible scientific answer to that question is
proposed. An experiment is designed to test the
hypothesis, the experimental data is analyzed to
see what it all means. A conclusion is written
explaining if the hypothesis is supported or
rejected. A scientists should then communicate
the process.
What does the law of conservation of
matter state?
• The law of conservation of matter states that
matter cannot be created or destroyed.
What is a food chain? Why is it
important to study?
• The food chain shows the relationship
between organisms and how energy is
transferred from one to another as they are
eaten.
• It is important to study food chains because
they illustrate the connections between
organisms. If one organism is lost you can see
that the food chain becomes disrupted.
How are weather and climate
different?
• Weather is different from climate because it is
the moment by moment conditions where as
climate is the overall average conditions of an
area.
What are the layers of the earth?
• The layers of the earth are core, mantle and
crust.
What is the difference between
primary and secondary succession
• In primary succession life forms in an area
where there was no life but in secondary
succession life forms again in an area usually
after some environmental disturbance like a
fire, a flood or after a lake has dried up.
Name some biotic and abiotic factors.
• Abiotic factors include soil, water, rocks, air,
etc.
• Biotic factors include plants, animals, fungi,
etc.
What is biodiversity?
• Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth.
What did Charles Darwin propose
• Darwin proposed the theory of natural
selection. He noticed the finches on the
Galapagos islands had different beak shapes.
He proposed that each finch had a common
ancestor but evolved different looks as it
adapted to its environment.
Why is it so hard for scientists to
determine the number of species on
Earth?
• It is hard for scientists to determine the
number of species on Earth because the
planet is so large, species evolve and become
extinct, it is costly to research and places we
can reach are limited (ex: deep sea trenches).
What are 3 types of adaptations prey
have evolved for survival? Describe
each.
• Camoflauge – coloration to blend into your
environment
• Mimicry – disguised to look like something
else
• Warning coloration – a harmless organism
looking like something harmful and poisonous
Explain the relationship between
evolution and the ecosystem.
• The changes in the ecosystem are the driving
force for evolution. Organisms that can
survive (have a niche) in their environment
will reproduce passing their traits
(adaptations) to their offspring. As the
ecosystem changes the species population will
change.
How do animals help spread seeds?
Give an example
• Animals help spread seeds through seed
dispersal.
• Example: Animals ingest seeds in one area
then lay their fecal matter or waste containing
the seeds in another area.
Why is it important to recycle?
• Many resources on earth are limited and we
may eventually run out.
• Recycling reduces the amount of waste put in
dumps and into the environment.
Give an example of a key stone
species. Explain why it is so important.
• The beaver is a key stone species. It is so
important because the dams it builds creates
ecosystems for different organisms to live.
Key stone species is responsible for increasing
species diversity in an area.
Why does the loss of one species
affect other species?
• All organisms are linked in one way or the
other. Some rely on others for food, survival,
shelter or even reproduction. Organisms are
linked in the food web and if one part is
missing it affects all in the web.
Give an example of how 2 different
species depend on each other?
• Bees depend on flowers for nectar and flowers
depend on bees for reproduction.
Explain what “survival by association”
means. Give an example
• Survival by association means that two or
more organisms depend on a relationship
between each other to survive. (mutualism,
commensalism and parasitism)
• Example: Clownfish and the sea anemone,
anemone provides the clownfish with
protection.
How does speciation contribute to
evolution?
• Speciation is the separation of a population.
This separation sometimes leads to the
development of 2 new species as the
populations become adapted to their new
environments.
What is a mutation and how does it
play a role in evolution?
• A mutation is a sudden change, in this case a
sudden change in DNA or the genetic material
of an organism. If these mutations give an
organism a better chance for survival then the
organism may pass this mutation on to its
offspring.
Why might doctors be concerned
about decreasing biodiversity?
• Doctors might be concerned with the
decreasing biodiversity because it decreases
chances of survival. We depend on different
species to provide us with medicines and
resources for keeping us healthy. Also, we
learn a lot from other organisms and this
information too can be used to heal the sick.
What are some ways plants and
animals keep water cleaner?
• Plants help keep water cleaner because its
roots prevent soil from running off into the
water. They prevent pollutants from entering
bodies of water.
• Animals like the oyster are filter feeders, so as
they take in food and water they also take in
dirt and pollutants.