3.3 - Studying Organisms in Ecosystems

Question 1

What is the definition of Ecological Niche?

Answer 1

The role that its members play in a community and the total range of biotic and abiotic requirements that its members need in order to survive.

Question 2

What is the definition of a Habitat?

Answer 2

A place or area with a particular set of characteristics, both biotic and abiotic.

Question 3

What is the definition of Range?

Answer 3

The geographical area where the population or species is found.

Question 4

What is the definition of Climate?

Answer 4

The average weather conditions in a particular region over a period of time, usually 30 years or more.

Question 5

How can climate be determined?

Answer 5

It can be determined by temperature and rainfall.

Question 6

What is the definition of a Biome?

Answer 6

Ecosystem or group of ecosystems in a specific region on Earth that has a particular combination of biotic and abiotic factors.

Question 7

What is the definition of Biodiversity?

Answer 7

The variety of species in an area and their range of behavioural, ecological, physiological, and other adaptations.

Question 8

What is the definition of a Niche?

Answer 8

A place occupied by a species in its ecosystem and its role.

Question 9

What is the definition of Species Richness?

Answer 9

A number of species

Question 10

What is the definition of Limiting Factors?

Answer 10

Abiotic and biotic conditions which limit the # of individuals in a population.

Question 11

What are the Abiotic Limiting Factors?

Answer 11

• Not enough proper soil conditions
• Not enough appropriate temperature
• Not enough moisture

Question 12

What are the Biotic Limiting Factors?

Answer 12

Competition Limits Populations

• The size of a population can be limited by the availability of resources, such as food.
• They may also compete for other resources, including water, sunlight, soil nutrients, shelter, mates, and breeding sites.
• Competitions can also occur between two or more populations.
• Sometimes, species may have similar, but not completely overlapping, niches. Both species can live in a particular area, although the density of one or more populations may be lowered by the presence of other species.

Question 13

What is Predation?

Answer 13

A biotic interaction that involves the consumption of one organism by another.

Question 14

What is Parasitism?

Answer 14

An interaction in which one organism (the parasite) derives it nourishments from another organism (the host) which is harmed in some way.

Question 15

What happens during parasitism?

Answer 15

• In parasitism, however, the host is not always permanently harmed or entirely consumed.
• An increase in the density of the host population makes it possible for the parasites to increase in number.

Question 16

What effect does the increased # of parasites have?

Answer 16

It reduces the hosts’ ability to survive or reproduce, and may lead to a decrease in the density of the hosts population. This can result in fluctations of parasite and host, similar to the cycles of predator and prey.

Question 17

What is an invasive species?

Answer 17

If an introduced species has no natural predators or diseases to limit their populations, this is what happens.