4.1 Species and ecosystems Flashcards

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1
Q

Define species

A

SPECIES: roup of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile, viable offspring

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2
Q

Define population

A

POPULATION: a group of organisms of the same species that are living in the same area at the same time

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3
Q

Grouping individuals in ecosystems

A

Species -> population -> community -> ecosystem (community + habitat+ abiotic environment)

Popualtion - same species

Community - different species

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4
Q

How are organisms goruped by the way they obtain energy?

A

Producers - autotrophs: produce own organic substances, E from sunlight

Consumers - heterotrophs: organic substances form other organisms

Heteroptrophs: consumers, detritivores (ingest non living matter), saprothrophs (external digestion - decomposers)

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5
Q

Types of autotrophs

A

Phototrophs: sunlight

Chemiotrophs: oxidation of inorganic subtsances

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6
Q

What are the types of consumers?

A

Consumers: herbivores (plant matter), carnivores (animal meat), omnivores (both plants and meat), scavenegers (feed on dead meat, ex hyena, crow)

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7
Q
A
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8
Q

Explain detritivores

A
  • obtain nutrients from non-living organic sources (detritus and humus - decaying leaf matter)
  • examples: earthworms, snails
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9
Q

Explain saprotrophs

A
  • live on / in non-living organic matter, _secrete digestive enzyme_s into it (external digestion) and absorbing the products of digestion
  • complete break down of dead matter - decomposers
  • example: bacteria, fungi
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10
Q

Explain nutrient recycling

A
  • nutrients (material required by an organism) are finite -> need to be recycled
  • autotrophs obtain inorganic nutrients -> convert them into organic compounds
  • heterotrophs ingest organic compounds -> use them for growth / respiration -> releasing inorganic byproducts
  • organisms die, saprotrophs decompose the remains -> free inorganic materials into the soil
  • return of inorganic nutrients to the soil ensures the continual supply of raw materials for the autotrophs
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11
Q

What are the features of sustainble ecosystems?

A
  • Energy availability – light from the sun provides the initial energy source for almost all communities
  • Nutrient availability – saprotrophic decomposers ensure the constant recycling of inorganic nutrients within an environment
  • Recycling of wastes – certain bacteria can detoxify harmful waste byproducts (e.g. Nitrosomonas bacteria)
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12
Q

Define mesocosm

A

MESOCOSM: enclosed environments that allow a small part of a natural environment to be observed under controlled conditions

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13
Q

What does chi-squared test provide?

A

Tells how likely it is that the obtained variation is due to chance - how well the observed variation resembles the expected

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14
Q

Explain quadrant sampling

A

Tests the presence of two species within a g_iven environment_ can be determined using quadrat sampling

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