2.1-2.3 Flashcards
ecosystem
a community of interdependent organisms and the physical environment they interact with. Made up of biotic and abiotic components
biotic factors
a living organism that shapes its environment
abiotic factors
a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment
autotrophs
the plants that convert energy into matter
heterotrophs
organisms that cannot produce food by themselves
decomposers
organisms that breakdown waste into components parts for reuse
species
a group of organisms with common characteristics that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
populations
a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time
habitat
the natural environment in which a species lives
niche
the role an organism plays and the position it holds in the environment
j-curve
population that grows exponentially and then suddenly collapses
s-curve
associated with exponential growth but above a certain size, the growth rates shows down gradually, finally transforming into a population of constant
parasitism
when an organism (parasite) takes nutrients from another organism (the host)
mutualism
where two organisms of different species exist in a mutually beneficial relationship
competition
where organisms compete for a resource that is in limited supply
