A1/A3 Flashcards
Ecology
The study of the relationship between living organisms, or between living organisms and their environment
Species
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The largest group of organisms where two individuals can potentially interbreed to produce fertile offspring
- Have similar behavioural traits to recognize each other
- Their offspring can produce viable offspring
Cross-Breeding
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Where two different species breed together
- These hybrids are typically reproductively sterile (the offspring can’t reproduce)
Population
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A subset of individuals in one species that occupies a particular geographic area
- Two populations of one species may never be able to interbreed because of their geographical distance; however theorethically they woukd still be able to
- Barriers could be rivers, oceans, mountains ranges, etc (Spatial Isolation)
Communities
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Formed when populations of different species are living together and interacting with each other
There are no abiotic factors in a community
Ecosystem
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Formed when a community interacts with the abiotic environment
Abiotic Factors: Soil, rocks, water, air
Biome
Includes climate, precipitation, etc.
What are the 2 types of autotrophs
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- Photoautotrophs
- Chemoautotrops
Heterotrops
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Feeding on others
Obtain carbon compounds by eating other organisms
Mixotrophic
Both autotrophic and heterotrophic
What is a consumer
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Eating something that is alive or dead for a short amount of time
- A primary consumer feeds on autotrophs
- Ingest their food
Some unicellular consumers take in food by _____
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Endocytosis
Detrivores
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Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from waste by internal digestion
Saprotrophs
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Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients by external digestion
- Secrete digestive enzymes into organic matter
- Known as decomposers
Living Organisms Require ____ to produce ____
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- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen & Phosphorus (to a lesser extent)
- 15 other elements
To produce:
- Carbohydrates (sugar)
- Lipids (fats)
- Autotrophs get these nutrients from the environment
- Heterotrophs get carbon and nitrogen from their diet. They can obtain calcium, potassion, and sodium from their abiotic environment
Nutrient Cycling
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- Autotrophs take inorganic nutrients and convert them into carbon compounds
- Heterotrophs eat autotrops
- Saprotrophs decompose remains and free nutrients into soil
The inorganic nutrinets on Earth is fixed.So cycling is really important
Sustainable Ecosystems Require
- Nutrient availability
- Detoxicification of waste products
- Energy availability
Ecosystems have the potential to be sustainable over long periods of time
The Biosphere
All areas on Earth that are inhabited by and that supports life
- Lithosphere - Land
- Atmosphere - Air
- Hydrosphere - Water
Open System
Can exchange both energy andmatter with its surroundings
Closed System
Can exchange only energy with its surroundings, not matter
Isolated System
Cannot exchange either matter or energy with its surroundings
A perfect islated system is hard to come by
Explain
The Biosphere is a ____ system
Closed System:
- Energy radiates into the Earth’s system from the sun. Energy is then radiated back into space from the Earth, with the flows being regulated by Earth’s atmosphere and the ozone layer
Because gravity, matter (solids, liquids, gasses) don’t leave the system