2.4.1 Species and Niches Flashcards
What is an example of an animal that is produced by two separate species mating?
Zedonk (zebra/donkey)
What is the general definition of a species?
A group of organisms with similar characteristics which can produce fertile offspring
What can DNA analysis tell us about species?
It can differentiate between different species
What are DNA barcodes?
DNA barcodes are being developed to identify species without the need to look at their phenotype
What is a habitat?
A habitat is the place where an organism lives
What does each habitat have?
Each habitat has a particular set of conditions which supports a distinctive set of organisms
What is a population?
A population is a group of interbreeding individuals of the same species found in the same habitat
What is a community?
A community is made up of all the different populations in an area
Why must organisms compete for essential resources?
So they can survive and reproduce
What is a niche?
A niche is the way an organism exploits its environment
What happens when two species occupy the same niche?
They will be in competition, and the better adapted organism will win and exclude the other from the habitat
What is an example of two animals who occupy the same niche?
The grey squirrel out competed the red squirrel
