B16 Ecology Flashcards
What is a habitat?
The part of an
ecosystem where an
organism lives
What is a species?
This is a group of
organisms that can
breed together
What is a population
This is the organisms of
the same species that
share a particular
habitat
What is a community?
This is made up of all the
organisms that share a
particular habitat
What do all organisms often need?
The same resources
What is interdependence?
A description of
how organisms rely on
and impact upon each
other
What are biotic factors?
Factors which are living which affect organisms
What are abiotic factors?
Factors which are not living which affect organisms
How does light intensity affect communities?
Can limit photosynthesis so affects distribution of plants and animals
Breeding cycles of many animals and plants is linked to day length and light intensity
How does temperature affect communities?
Limits photosynthesis so it affects distribution
How do moisture levels affect communities?
Moisture levels affect the type of plants and animals which can survive and the number of them
How does soil pH and mineral content affect communities?
The levels of mineral ions impacts the distribution of plants
Acidic soils inhibit the breakdown of plants which reduces the amount of mineral ions in the soil
How does wind intensity and direction affect communities?
The direction of the wind affects the shape of the trees and environment
Transpiration occurs faster
How does the availability of oxygen affect communities?
Heavily affects water-living communities ability to grow
How does the availability of carbon dioxide affect communities?
Limiting factor for photosynthesis
Affects distribution of certain organisms
How do new pathogens or parasites affect communities?
Organisms have no resistance to new pathogens or parasites, so populations can be reduced or wiped out
How do new predators affect communities?
Organisms that have no defences against new predators may be quickly wiped out
How does interspecific competition affect communities?
A new species of an organism may outcompete the existing one, reducing their successful breeding capabilities
What are carnivores in competition for?
Prey animals
What are prey animals in competition for?
Surviving predators
Why do animals need to set up and defend territory?
To raise their breed and raise their young, and have a source of food
How do males compete for females?
Males fight each other to be able to mate or they make themselves stand out to attract females
What do plants compete for?
Light, water and mineral ions
How do plants avoid competition?
They grow earlier in season, have different root lengths and are adapted to lower light levels
How do plants spread their seeds?
By wind, water or explosive seed pods
What is a structural adaptation?
An adaptation related to physical structures, such as colour or shape
What is a behavioural adaptation?
Adaptations related to short or long term behaviours
What is a physiological adaptation?
Adaptations related to biological processes, such as metabolism
What are two structural adaptations of plants?
Spines to ward off potential predators
Large leaves to maximise photosynthesis
What are two behavioural adaptations of plants?
Plant shoots grow towards the sunlight to maximise photosynthesis
Roots grow downwards to maximise water absorbtion
What are two physiological adaptations of plants?
Poisonous when eaten
Poisonous when touched
What are two structural adaptations of animals
Large claws to dig burrows or catch prey
Good eyesight and hearing to detect predator or prey
What are two behavioural adaptations of animals?
Mating rituals to attract mates
Working in groups to attack prey
What is a physiological adaptation of animals?
Production of venom to attack and for self defence
What is a producer?
A producer is an organism which creates its own biomass
What is a consumer?
A producer is an organism which gains biomass from other organisms
What is a predator?
A predator is an organism which gains biomass from prey
What is prey?
Prey is an organism which gains biomass from producers and is hunted by predators
What are decomposers?
Decomposers are a group of microorganisms which feed on dead organisms
What do decomposers do?
Decomposers return dead and waste materials and return nutrients into the soil
What is precipitation?
Precipitation is when water droplets become too heavy to stay suspended in air and fall as rain or other types of precipitation
What is percolation?
Percolation is when water trickles through gaps in soils and rocks
What is transpiration and respiration?
Transpiration and respiration are ways plants and animals lose water vapour to the atmosphere
What is evaporation?
Evaporation is the process of liquid water becoming water vapour when heated
What is condensation?
Condensation is the cooling of water vapour back into liquid water droplets
