4.1 - Why are there so many different species? Flashcards
What is a species?
group of organisms able to interbreed & produce fertile offspring
What is meant by biodiversity?
measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem
What is a population?
all the members of a species that live in an area
What is a community?
2 or more population of organisms
What is an ecosystem?
the interaction between a community of living organisms & their environment
What is meant by an endemic species?
when a species is native to a particular region & found nowhere else
What is extinction?
when no more members of that species left alive
What is an endangered species?
a species with a declining population, in danger of extinction
What are founder organisms?
organisms which were first there
What is a niche?
a description of the precise role of an organism in its environment
What is a habitat?
particular place where a community of organisms is found
How can you find out if organisms are different species?
you have to try and interbreed organisms
What are 3 problems with trying to interbreed organisms?
- the organism you are interested in may be dead
- may not breed in captivity
- they may be sexually immature
What does morphological mean?
to do with structural features
What does physiological mean?
to do with the way the body works
