IB ESS Exam Notes with Complete
Solutions
System - ANS-An assemblage of parts and their relationship forming a functioning
entirely or whole
Open System - ANS-Exchanges matter AND energy
Closed System - ANS-Exchanges ONLY energy
Isolated System - ANS-DOES NOT exchange matter or energy. Theoretical.
1st Law of Thermodyamics - ANS-Energy is neither created nor destroyed. IT ONLY
CHANGES FORMS.
2nd Law of Thermodynamics - ANS-The entropy of a closed system increases.
When energy is transformed into work, some energy is always lost as waste and/or heat
Steady-State Equilibrium - ANS-In open systems.
Continuous inputs and outputs of energy and matter.
The system as a whole remains in a constant state.
There are no long term changes.
Static Equilibrium - ANS-There is no change over time.
When the state of equilibrium is distributed, the system adapts a new equilibrium.
Stable Equilibrium - ANS-The system returns to the same equilibrium after a
disturbance.
Unstable Equilibrium - ANS-The system returns to a new equilibrium after a
disturbance.
Positive Feedback - ANS-Results in a FURTHER DECREASE OF OUTPUT.
The system is destabilized and pushed into a new state of equilibrium.
Negative Feedback - ANS-Tends to stabilize systems in the event of a disturbance.
Transfers- Literal movement. - ANS-Movement of material through living organisms.
Movement of material in non-living processes.
The movement of energy.
, Transformations- Changing from one thing to another. - ANS-Matter to matter.
Energy to energy.
Matter to energy.
Energy to matter.
The Gaia Hypothesis - ANS-The Earth is a living organism/system.
Biotic Factors - ANS-Living components
Abiotic Factors - ANS-Non-living physical and chemical components
Species - ANS-A particular type of organism
Population - ANS-A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at
the same time and are capable of interbreeding.
Habitat - ANS-The environment where a species normally lives.
Ecological Niche - ANS-The role of an organism.
Community - ANS-A group of populations living and interacting with each other in a
common habitat.
Ecosystem - ANS-A community of independent organism (biotic factors) and the
physical environment (abiotic factors) which they inhabit.
Biome - ANS-A collection of ecosystems sharing common climatic conditions.
Respiration - ANS-The process of breaking down food to release energy.
Respiration Formula - ANS-C6H12O6 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O + ATP
Photosynthesis - ANS-The process in which producers make their own glucose and
produce water and carbon dioxide.
Photosynthesis Formula - ANS-CO2 + H20 -> C6H12O6 + O2
Biomass - ANS-The living mass of an organism(s).
It's dry mass.
Gross Primary Productivity - ANS-The total gain in energy/biomass per unit area per
unit time BY PRODUCERS.
Gross Secondary Productivity - ANS-The total gain in energy/biomass per unit area per
time BY CONSUMERS.
Solutions
System - ANS-An assemblage of parts and their relationship forming a functioning
entirely or whole
Open System - ANS-Exchanges matter AND energy
Closed System - ANS-Exchanges ONLY energy
Isolated System - ANS-DOES NOT exchange matter or energy. Theoretical.
1st Law of Thermodyamics - ANS-Energy is neither created nor destroyed. IT ONLY
CHANGES FORMS.
2nd Law of Thermodynamics - ANS-The entropy of a closed system increases.
When energy is transformed into work, some energy is always lost as waste and/or heat
Steady-State Equilibrium - ANS-In open systems.
Continuous inputs and outputs of energy and matter.
The system as a whole remains in a constant state.
There are no long term changes.
Static Equilibrium - ANS-There is no change over time.
When the state of equilibrium is distributed, the system adapts a new equilibrium.
Stable Equilibrium - ANS-The system returns to the same equilibrium after a
disturbance.
Unstable Equilibrium - ANS-The system returns to a new equilibrium after a
disturbance.
Positive Feedback - ANS-Results in a FURTHER DECREASE OF OUTPUT.
The system is destabilized and pushed into a new state of equilibrium.
Negative Feedback - ANS-Tends to stabilize systems in the event of a disturbance.
Transfers- Literal movement. - ANS-Movement of material through living organisms.
Movement of material in non-living processes.
The movement of energy.
, Transformations- Changing from one thing to another. - ANS-Matter to matter.
Energy to energy.
Matter to energy.
Energy to matter.
The Gaia Hypothesis - ANS-The Earth is a living organism/system.
Biotic Factors - ANS-Living components
Abiotic Factors - ANS-Non-living physical and chemical components
Species - ANS-A particular type of organism
Population - ANS-A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at
the same time and are capable of interbreeding.
Habitat - ANS-The environment where a species normally lives.
Ecological Niche - ANS-The role of an organism.
Community - ANS-A group of populations living and interacting with each other in a
common habitat.
Ecosystem - ANS-A community of independent organism (biotic factors) and the
physical environment (abiotic factors) which they inhabit.
Biome - ANS-A collection of ecosystems sharing common climatic conditions.
Respiration - ANS-The process of breaking down food to release energy.
Respiration Formula - ANS-C6H12O6 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O + ATP
Photosynthesis - ANS-The process in which producers make their own glucose and
produce water and carbon dioxide.
Photosynthesis Formula - ANS-CO2 + H20 -> C6H12O6 + O2
Biomass - ANS-The living mass of an organism(s).
It's dry mass.
Gross Primary Productivity - ANS-The total gain in energy/biomass per unit area per
unit time BY PRODUCERS.
Gross Secondary Productivity - ANS-The total gain in energy/biomass per unit area per
time BY CONSUMERS.
