B16 - Adaptations, Interdependence, and Competition Flashcards
What is abundance?
A measure of how common or rare a particular type of organism is in a given environment
What is a community?
A group of interdependent living organisms in an ecosystem
What is distribution?
Where particular types of organisms are found within an environment
What is interdependence?
The network of relationships between different organisms within a community, for example each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal etc
What is a quadrat?
A sample area used for measuring the abundance and distribution of organisms in the field
What is quantitative sampling?
Records the number of organisms rather than just the type
What is a sample size?
The size of a sample in an investigation
What is a transect?
A measured line or area along which ecological measurements are made
What is an ecosystem?
A self-contained interacting community of organisms and the environment in which they live and interact.
What is a biotic component of an ecosystem?
A living component of an ecosystem
What is an abiotic component of an ecosystem?
A non-living component of the ecosystem
What is a producer?
Organisms that produce organic molecules from simple inorganic materials and use them as an energy source. Examples include green plants and algae
What is a consumer?
Organisms that feed on the organic matter made by plants, they are Heterotrophs
What are Heterotrophs?
Organisms which cannot create their own food from inorganic matter
What is a decomposer?
Microorganisms that break down dead or undigested organic material. They are important in nutrient cycling
What is a trophic level?
One of the steps in a food chain. Defined by where the organic matter comes from
What is a habitat?
The place where an organism lives. It provides the correct environmental conditions (physical, chemical, biological)
What is a population?
Group of organisms of the same species living in the same space at the same time
What is a niche?
The way of life and role of an organism?
What is a species?
A group of organisms with similar characteristics that can potentially interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Describe the practical for investigating the total population size in an area:
1) Collect all necessary equipment
2) Measure the length and width of the area you are investigating and calculate the area
3) Split this area into a 1x1m square grid where every square has a unique number
4) Use a random number generator to select a random number which which corresponds to a square
5) Repeat step 4 10 times in order to have a larger and more accurate sample size
6) Place your quadrat at the 10 positions selected and count the number of organisms chosen within the area (if over half the organism is located within the area include it in your count)
7) Find a mean average of daisies per quadrat
8) Divide the average number of daisies by the area of the quadrat
9) Multiply the number calculated by the total area of the area being investigated
10) Record results in appropriate table or graph
Describe the practical to discover how the population of an organism is distributed due to biotic and abiotic factors:
1) Collect all necessary equipment
2) Lay a straight tape measure along the area you will be sampling
3) Place the quadrat at the start of your transect
4) Count the number of organisms chosen within the quadrat (if over half the organism is within or under the quadrat include it in your count)
5) Take a measure of the biotic / abiotic factors you are investigating
6) Move the quadrat 1 quadrat length along the transect
7) Repeat steps 4-6 until you have sampled the entire length of the transect
8) Record results in appropriate table or graph
What is the primary source of energy for an ecosystem?
the sun
What substances are cycled through an ecosystem?
Carbon, Nitrogen, Water