3.1 Ecosystems Flashcards
Define Species
A group of similar organisms which can produce fertile offspring.
Define Biodiversity
The variety of species living in a habitat.
Define Population
All the organisms of one species in a habitat.
Define Producer
Organisms which produce their own food.
e.g. plants
Define Consumer
Organisms which rely on eating other organisms for food.
Define Carnivore
A meat-eater.
Define Herbivore
A plant-eater.
Define Omnivore
An organism which eats both plants and animals.
Define Predator
An organism which hunts for food.
Define Prey
An organism which is hunted.
Define Food Chain
The feeding relationships between a producer and a top consumer.
Define Food Web
A network of interconnected food chains in a habitat.
Define Ecosystem
All the organisms living in a habitat and the non-living components with which the organisms interact.
Define Niche
The role that an organism plays within a community.
State the 3 things a niche describes.
1 - The resources the organism uses in an ecosystem.
(light, nutrient availability)
2 - The interactions an organism has in the community.
(competition, predation)
3 - The conditions it can tolerate.
(temperature)
Define Interspecific Competition
When individuals of a different species compete for one or a few of the resources they require.
Define Intraspecific Competition
When individuals of the same species compete for all the resources they require. (most intense)
Give 2 examples of the resources the organism uses in an ecosystem.
light, nutrient avaliability
Give 2 examples of the interactions an organism has in the community.
competition, predation
Give 1 example of the conditions an organism can tolerate.
Temperature
