Biological Diversity - Section 1 Flashcards
What are the key components in a taxonomy?
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
What is Linnaeus’ naming system?
Consists of two words
The first word is the genus to which the organism belongs
The second word indicates the particular species
What is species?
A group o biologically similar organisms that have the ability to reproduce with one another
What are some characteristics of living things?
Are made up of cells Need energy Grow and develop Reproduce Have adaptations that suit them for the environment in which they live
What is Biological Diversity?
Refers to all different types of living organisms on Earth
What is an ecosystem?
A particular environment where living things interact with other living things and non-living things
What is a population?
Group of individuals of the same species living in an area
What is a community?
A group of populations of different species living in the same area
Where on Earth is biological diversity greatest?
Tropical rainforests near the equator
Herbivores
Species that eat plants
Carnivores
Species that eat herbivores
Omnivores
Eat both plants and meat
What are decomposers?
Such as fungi, and earthworms, they break down both plants and animals
What is symbiosis?
A type of interdependence or relationship between two (or more) species
What are the three types of symbiosis?
Commensalism
Mutualism
Parasitism
What is commensalism?
One organism benefits but the other does not. There is also no harm done to the second organism
What is mutualism?
Both organisms benefit in this relationship
What is parasitism?
One organism benefits and the other is harmed
Parasites don’t usually kill their host on purpose because the host represents their food supply
What is a niche?
The role of a species in an ecosystem, including where it lives, what it eats, how it reproduces, and how it interacts with other organisms
What is interspecies competition?
Happens when two or more species need the same food source. This ultimately results in a good source
It limits the size of the populations of the competing species
How is variability in species a good thing?
It can help species survive environment changes
What is natural selection?
A natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adapted to their environment
