4.1 Species & Ecosystems Flashcards

1
Q

Define “Species”

A

Groups of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile, viable offspring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What happens when species crossbreed and produce offspring?

A

The offspring is infertile and inviable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define “Population”

A

A group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area and time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Explain “Reproductively isolated”

A

Organisms in different regions (i.e. different populations)

If they are they are the same species; interbreeding is functionally possible, however unlikely.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define “Community”

A

Different populations of species living and interacting together in a given habitat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define “Habitat”

A

Environment where species usually live, or location of a living organism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define “Ecosystem”

A

A community and it’s abiotic environment (i.e. habitat)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define “Ecology”

A

The study of relationships between living organisms and their environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the two ways living organisms obtain chemical energy(modes of nutrition)?

A

Autotroph; synthesize their own organic molecules

Heterotrophs; ingest organic molecules

Some are both

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What type of nutrients do Autotrophs obtain? State the 4 examples.

A

Obtain inorganic nutrients from abiotic environment; carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How do Autotrophs gain nutrients?

A

Synthesize it’s own organic molecules from simple inorganic substances (e.g. CO2, nitrates) from their abiotic environment

Through processes such as photosynthesis and chemosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why are Autotrophs also known as “Producers”?

A

Because they synthesize (produce) their own nutrients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How do Heterotrophs gain nutrients?

A

Obtain organic molecules from other organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the difference between Autotrophs and Heterotrophs?

A

Autotrophs synthesize their own nutrients.

Heterotrophs obtain organic molecules from other organisms, they cannot produce their own organic molecules.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define “mixotrophs”

A

Certain unicellular organisms that may use both autotroph and heterotroph methods of nutrition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define “Consumer”

A

Heterotrophs that ingest living or recently killed organic matter

17
Q

What are they three types of consumer?

A

Herbivore, carnivore and omnivore

18
Q

Define “herbivore”

A

Heterotrophs that feed on principally plant matter

19
Q

Define “carnivore”

A

Heterotrophs that feed on principally animal matter

20
Q

Define “omnivore”

A

Heterotrophs that feed on both plant and animal matter

21
Q

Define “Scavanger”

A

Heterotrophs that feed on dead or decaying carcasses

22
Q

State the different classifications of heterotrophs

A

Consumers, scavengers, detritivores and saprotroph

23
Q

Define “detritivores”

A

Heterotrophs that ingest non-living matter such as humus and detritus

24
Q

Define “detritus”

A

Dead, particulate organic matter, such as decaying organic material or fecal matter

25
Define “humus”
Decaying leaf litter intermixed with topsoil
26
Define “saprotrophs”
Heterotrophs that live on non-living organic matter and release enzymes to absorb nutrients
27
Define “Nutrients”
Inorganic material required by organisms
28
What is the purpose of nutrient cycling?
Nutrient supply on earth is finite; cannot be created and is in limited supply. Supply of inorganic nutrients is maintained through cycling
29
Examples of Nutrients
Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus
30
Outline how chemical elements are recycled after use
1. Autotrophs obtain nutrients from air, water and soil; nutrients are converted to organic compounds 2. Heterotrophs ingest organic compounds and use for growth and respiration; inorganic byproducts are released 3. Organism dies, saprotrophs decompose remains; inorganic matter is freed into soil 4. Reintroduction of inorganic nutrients into soil; continual supply of raw materials for autotrophs is achieved
31
What are the 3 main components of sustainability?
1. Energy availability 2. Nutrient availability 3. Recycling of wastes
32
What is exchanged between a sealed mesocosm and the surrounding external environment?
Energy
33
What is the purpose of the Chi-squared test in ecological research?
Test whether two species tend to live together
34
Why do animals in the highest tropic levels tend to be largest in body size but few in numbers?
Energy loss through the food chain