3.1 Study Guide Flashcards
What is the definition of a niche?
A niche is a biotic or abiotic resource that a species uses. What, where, when, and how it uses it.
What is the definition of a realized niche?
A realized niche is the actual amount of space that a species takes up.
What is the definition of a fundamental niche?
A fundamental niche is the potential that an organism has to take up a certain amount of space or use a resource.
What is mutualism?
An interaction between organisms in which both experience positive effects.
What is commensalism?
An interaction between organisms in which one organism benefits from the interaction, while the other is unaffected.
What is parasitism?
An interaction between organisms where one experiences positive effects and one experiences negative effects. It is a long term interaction where one organism feeds off of another.
What is predation?
An interaction between organisms where one experiences positive effects and one experiences negative effects. It is a short term interaction where one organism feeds off of another.
What is herbivory?
An interaction between organisms where one experiences positive effects and the other experiences negative effects. This is a short term interaction where an animal eats off of plants.
Facultative vs. Obligatory
Facultative: An organism receives benefits but can survive without the other.
Obligatory: Species are entirely dependent on each other.
What is likely to happen if the niches of two species overlap a little? Overlap a lot?
If the niches of two species overlap a little, there is likely two be interspecific competition between the two species for the resource. The effect on the two species will not be severely consequential. Only a few organisms who are not fit to survive will die out. However, if the niches overlap a lot, then both species could die out, one could die out, or the niches could partition.
How can niche partitioning increase the biodiversity of a community? What are some ways that species can partition their niches?
Niche partitioning can increase the biodiversity of a community by allowing organisms to have the ability to evolve over time. It creates a situation that requires the species to adapt and become more diverse. Species can partition their niches by eating different foods, eating at different times of the day, or eating in different locations.
Compare and contrast different interspecies interactions, give examples of each type.
Competition: The opposite of mutualism. Both organisms experience negative effects. Ex: An elk and a deer competing for the same type of grass plant.
Mutualism: The opposite of competition. Both organisms experience positive effects. Ex: Fungi and algae help each other survive.
Commensalism: One organisms experiences positive effects just like mutualism, and the other organism is unaffected. Ex: Barnacles on a blue whale.
Predation/Herbivory/Parasitism: Predation and herbivory are short term interactions, while parasitism is a long term one. Both predation and parasitism involve feeding off of another organism, however, herbivory involves feeding off of plants. Ex: Predation: Tiger eating a deer
Parasitism: A caterpillar dying from wasp eggs growing inside of it and eating it alive.
Herbivory: A cow eating grass.
