B15 Ecology Flashcards
Habitat
The part of an ecosystem where an organism lives
Species
This is a group of organisms that can breed together to produce a fertile offspring
Population
This is the organisms of the same species that share a particular habitat
Community
This is made up of all the organisms that share a particular habitat
Competition
A word that describes the fact that organisms often need the same resources
Interdependent
A word that describes how organisms rely on and impact upon each other
Biotic factors
Other living things that can affect a particular population
e.g. a new pathogen or parasite
Abiotic factors
Non-living things that can affect a particular population
e.g. light intensity
What resources do animals compete for?
Food, water, shelter, mates
What resources do plants compete for?
Sunlight, good amount of water, minerals from the soil.
What is an extremophile?
An organism adapted to live in extreme conditions or environments.
- Temperature
- pH
- Salinity
What is a structural adaptation?
Features related to physical structures - shape, colour etc
What is a behavioural adaptation?
Features related to short or long term behaviours - migration, basking, tool use etc
What is a functional adaptation?
Features related to processes - usually internal, cellular processes…
