2.1 Species and Populations Flashcards
Species
a group of organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Habitat
the environment in which a species normally lives in
Niche
the role that an organism fills in an ecosystem
Abiotic Factors
non living factors in a habitat
Biotic Factors
living factors in a habitat
Carrying Capacity
the maximum number of a species that can be sustainably supported by an area
Fundamental Niche
the theoretical range of conditions and resources in which a species could survive and reproduce
Realized Niche
the actual range of conditions and resources that a species does survive and reproduce in
Symbiotic Relationship
an intimate relationship between members of two or more species
Mutualism
a relationship that benefits both species
Commensalism
a relationship that benefits one species and doesn’t affect the other
Parasitism
A relationship that benefits one species and harms the other
Interspecific Competition
the competition that takes place in between members of different species
Intraspecific Competition
the competition that takes place between members of the same species
S and J curves
J - a graph showing exponential growth
S - a graph showing exponential growth until limiting factors make the population reach its carrying capacity
Limiting Factors
anything that effects a population’s size and slows or stops it from growing.
Predation
the consumption of one species by another
Herbivory
organisms that feed on plants
Competition
competition between organisms for the same resource in an ecosystem
Competitive Exclusion
when interspecific competition results in one species getting driven out by the other
Speciation
an evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species
Population Dynamics
the study of the factors that cause a change in the size of a population
R - Species
very high reproductive rate
K - Species
very low reproductive rate
