B7- Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology about
Organisms and the environment they live in, and how the two interact
Define habitat
The place where an organism lives
Define population
All the organisms of one species living in a habitat
Define community
The populations of different species living in a habitat
Define Abiotic factors
Non-living factors of the environment
Define Biotic factors
Living factors of the environment
Define Ecosystem
The interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of the their environment
What are Stonefly Larvae particularly sensitive to
Pollution
What is it called when all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that the population sizes are roughly constant
Stable communities
Examples of Abiotic Factors
- Moisture level
- Light intensity
- Temperature
- Carbon dioxide level (for plants)
- Wind intensity and direction
- Oxygen level (for aquatic animals)
- Soil pH and mineral content
Examples of Biotic Factors
- New predators
- Competition
- New pathogens
- Avalibility of food
Define structural adaptation
Features of an organism’s body structure-such as shape or colour
Define behavioural adaptation
These are ways that organisms behave. Many species migrate to warmer climates during te winter to aviod the problems of living in cold conditons
Define functional adaptation
These are things that go on inside an organism’s body that can be related to processes like reproduction and metabolism
What do food chains start with
A producer
Where do producers get their foofd from
The sun
Who eats the producer in a food chain
Primary consumer
Who eats the primary consumer in a food chain
Secondary consumer
Who eats the secondary consumers in a food chain
Tertiary consumer
Describe the stages of the water cycle
- Energy from the Sun makes water evaporate from the land and sea, turning it into water vapour. Water alos evaporates from the plants- this is known as transpiration
- The warm water vapour is carried upwards (as warm air rises). When it gets higher up it cools and condenses to form clouds
- Water falls from the clouds as precipitation (usually rain, but sometimes snow or hail) onto land, where it provides fresh water for plants and animals
- It then drains into the sea, before the whole process starts again
Describe the carbon cycle
- CO2 is removed from the atmosphere by green plants and algae during photosynthesis. The carbon is used to make glucose, which can be turned into carbohydrates, fats and proteins that make up the bodies of the plants and algae
- When the plants and algae respire, some carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2
- When the plants and algae ar eaten by animals, some carbon becomes part of the fats and proteins in their bodies. The carbon then moves through the food chain
- When the animals respire, some carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2
- When plants, algae and animals die, other animals (called detritus feeders) and microorganisms feed on their remains. When these organisms respire, CO2 is returned to the atmosphere
- Animals also produce waste that is broken down by detritus feeders and microorganisms
- The combustion (burning) of wood and fossil fuels also releases CO2 back into the air
- So the carbon (and energy) is constantly being cycled- from the air, through food chains (via plants, algae and animals, and detritus feeders and microorganisms) and eventually back into the air
Why do microorganisms break down plant and animal material and waste
For energy
What is compost
Decomposition of organic matter that is used as a natural fertiliser
What factors affect how quickly microorganisms decay stuff
- Temperature
- Oxygen availability
- Water availability
- Number of decay organisms