Environmental Growth Factors - Middle School Life Science
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Which environmental factor provides the energy source that limits plant growth in many habitats?
Which environmental factor provides the energy source that limits plant growth in many habitats?
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Light availability (sunlight). Primary energy source for photosynthesis and food production.
Light availability (sunlight). Primary energy source for photosynthesis and food production.
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What term describes all living and nonliving surroundings that influence an organism’s growth?
What term describes all living and nonliving surroundings that influence an organism’s growth?
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Environment. Includes both living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components.
Environment. Includes both living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components.
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Which abiotic factor is the amount of $O_2$ available for cellular respiration and growth?
Which abiotic factor is the amount of $O_2$ available for cellular respiration and growth?
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Oxygen availability. Most organisms need oxygen to release energy from food.
Oxygen availability. Most organisms need oxygen to release energy from food.
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Which abiotic factor describes the concentration of salts in water that can affect growth?
Which abiotic factor describes the concentration of salts in water that can affect growth?
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Salinity. High salt levels can dehydrate cells through osmosis.
Salinity. High salt levels can dehydrate cells through osmosis.
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Which abiotic factor refers to dissolved mineral nutrients needed for plant growth?
Which abiotic factor refers to dissolved mineral nutrients needed for plant growth?
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Nutrient availability (for example, nitrogen and phosphorus). Plants need minerals like N and P to build proteins and DNA.
Nutrient availability (for example, nitrogen and phosphorus). Plants need minerals like N and P to build proteins and DNA.
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Which abiotic factor describes how acidic or basic soil or water is, affecting nutrient uptake?
Which abiotic factor describes how acidic or basic soil or water is, affecting nutrient uptake?
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pH. Extreme pH can denature proteins and affect nutrient solubility.
pH. Extreme pH can denature proteins and affect nutrient solubility.
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Identify the limiting factor: a cactus grows poorly when soil salinity becomes very high.
Identify the limiting factor: a cactus grows poorly when soil salinity becomes very high.
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Salinity (salt concentration). High salt disrupts water uptake and cellular processes.
Salinity (salt concentration). High salt disrupts water uptake and cellular processes.
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Identify the limiting factor: fish die in a warm pond because dissolved $O_2$ becomes low.
Identify the limiting factor: fish die in a warm pond because dissolved $O_2$ becomes low.
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Oxygen availability. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen than cold water.
Oxygen availability. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen than cold water.
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Which type of environmental factor includes temperature, light, water, and soil pH?
Which type of environmental factor includes temperature, light, water, and soil pH?
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Abiotic factors. Nonliving physical and chemical factors that affect organisms.
Abiotic factors. Nonliving physical and chemical factors that affect organisms.
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Which environmental factor describes the supply of minerals such as nitrogen and phosphorus for growth?
Which environmental factor describes the supply of minerals such as nitrogen and phosphorus for growth?
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Nutrient availability. Essential elements needed to build proteins, DNA, and other molecules.
Nutrient availability. Essential elements needed to build proteins, DNA, and other molecules.
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What soil property affects nutrient availability and can slow growth when too acidic or basic?
What soil property affects nutrient availability and can slow growth when too acidic or basic?
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pH. Extreme pH values can denature enzymes and lock up nutrients.
pH. Extreme pH values can denature enzymes and lock up nutrients.
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Which environmental factor affects growth by controlling hydration and transport of materials in cells?
Which environmental factor affects growth by controlling hydration and transport of materials in cells?
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Water availability. Essential for all life processes and maintaining cell structure.
Water availability. Essential for all life processes and maintaining cell structure.
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What environmental factor is required for cellular respiration and can limit animal growth when low?
What environmental factor is required for cellular respiration and can limit animal growth when low?
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Oxygen availability (O$_2$). Essential for breaking down glucose to release energy in cells.
Oxygen availability (O$_2$). Essential for breaking down glucose to release energy in cells.
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What term describes the maximum population size an environment can support long term?
What term describes the maximum population size an environment can support long term?
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Carrying capacity. Limited by resource availability and environmental conditions.
Carrying capacity. Limited by resource availability and environmental conditions.
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Which biotic interaction reduces growth because organisms use the same limited resources?
Which biotic interaction reduces growth because organisms use the same limited resources?
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Competition. Organisms compete for food, water, space, and other necessities.
Competition. Organisms compete for food, water, space, and other necessities.
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Which biotic factor can decrease growth by causing illness and using host resources?
Which biotic factor can decrease growth by causing illness and using host resources?
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Disease (pathogens). Parasites and infections divert energy from growth to immune response.
Disease (pathogens). Parasites and infections divert energy from growth to immune response.
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Which biotic factor can reduce prey growth by increasing death rate and stress?
Which biotic factor can reduce prey growth by increasing death rate and stress?
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Predation pressure. Constant threat forces prey to spend energy on defense instead of growth.
Predation pressure. Constant threat forces prey to spend energy on defense instead of growth.
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Which environmental factor can limit growth when organisms are crowded and resources run out?
Which environmental factor can limit growth when organisms are crowded and resources run out?
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Population density (crowding). Too many organisms deplete resources faster than they regenerate.
Population density (crowding). Too many organisms deplete resources faster than they regenerate.
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Which abiotic factor can slow growth by removing water from organisms and damaging tissues?
Which abiotic factor can slow growth by removing water from organisms and damaging tissues?
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High salinity. Causes dehydration and disrupts cellular osmotic balance.
High salinity. Causes dehydration and disrupts cellular osmotic balance.
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Identify the limiting factor: a plant grows slowly because it receives only 2 hours of sunlight daily.
Identify the limiting factor: a plant grows slowly because it receives only 2 hours of sunlight daily.
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Light availability. Insufficient light limits photosynthesis and energy production.
Light availability. Insufficient light limits photosynthesis and energy production.
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Identify the limiting factor: fish in a pond gasp at the surface after algae die off and decay.
Identify the limiting factor: fish in a pond gasp at the surface after algae die off and decay.
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Low dissolved oxygen. Decomposing algae consume oxygen, causing fish to suffocate.
Low dissolved oxygen. Decomposing algae consume oxygen, causing fish to suffocate.
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Identify the limiting factor: crops turn yellow and grow poorly in soil lacking nitrate ions.
Identify the limiting factor: crops turn yellow and grow poorly in soil lacking nitrate ions.
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Nitrogen deficiency (low nutrients). Nitrogen is essential for making proteins and chlorophyll.
Nitrogen deficiency (low nutrients). Nitrogen is essential for making proteins and chlorophyll.
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Identify the limiting factor: seedlings wilt and stop growing during a long period with no rain.
Identify the limiting factor: seedlings wilt and stop growing during a long period with no rain.
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Water availability (drought). Plants need water for photosynthesis and maintaining cell pressure.
Water availability (drought). Plants need water for photosynthesis and maintaining cell pressure.
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What environmental factor is required for photosynthesis and can limit plant growth when scarce?
What environmental factor is required for photosynthesis and can limit plant growth when scarce?
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Carbon dioxide (CO$_2$). Raw material plants convert into glucose during photosynthesis.
Carbon dioxide (CO$_2$). Raw material plants convert into glucose during photosynthesis.
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What environmental factor most directly affects enzyme activity and metabolic rate in organisms?
What environmental factor most directly affects enzyme activity and metabolic rate in organisms?
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Temperature. Controls chemical reaction rates and protein function in cells.
Temperature. Controls chemical reaction rates and protein function in cells.
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