Biology Chapter 3 Flashcards
Ecology Definition
The study of interactions between organisms
Who created Ecology
Ernst Haeckle
Order of Natures houses
organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome
What is an Organism
an individual
What is a Population
A group of one species at the same time and place
What is a commounity
All the biotic factors in a specific area
What is an Ecosystem
All of the Abiotic and Biotic Factors in an area
What is a Biome
A group of ecosystems all in a similar climate
What is the Biosphere and how big is it
The Biosphere is the area on the surface of the earth, 8 kilometers up and 11 down
What is the definition of a species
Organisms similar enough to produce fertile offspring
If an ecosystem is extremely biodiverse, what does that mean for the organisms
The overall ecosystem will be extremely healthy
What are the three Ecological Methods
Observing, Experimenting, and Modeling
What does it mean to be biodiverse
Variety of organisms, and variety of genetic differences
What is the most biodiverse ecosystem on earth
The tropical rainforest and other water ecosystems like wetlands and coral reefs
What does primary productivity mean
It is the total amount of biomass and energy converted in any ecosystem/trophic level
gross primary productivity versus net primary productivity
gross is the total amount, net is how much is passed on to the next trophic level
What organisms have the most primary productivity
Bacteria and Algae
Does energy flow one way or cycle around?
It flows one way
Where does most energy on earth come from
The sun
Why is energy so important
It is used for nearly every bodily function
Autotroph
A producer, it gets it’s energy directly from the sun or chemical compunds
Chemosynthesis versus Photosynthesis
They are both processes used by Autotrophs to transform energy to chemical bonds.
-chemosynthesis uses chemical energy
-photosynthesis uses energy from the sun (MOST COMMON)
Trophic Level
The different levels in a food chain or food web, they show how many organisms energy/biomass has gone through
How many Trophic levels can there be?
5
What are the different trophic levels
Primary Producer, Primary Consumer, Secondary Consumer, Tertiary Consumer, Decomposer
How is energy lost through the different Trophic levels
Only about 10% of energy and biomass is passed from one level to the next, it is given off as the most random form of energy, heat
Heterotroph
A consumer, Heterotrophs consume Autotrophs and other heterotrophs for energy
Carnivore
A heterotroph that eats other heterotrophs only
Omnivore
A heterotroph that eats other heterotrophs and autotrophs
Herbivore
A heterotroph that eats only autotrophs
Detritivore
A heterotroph that eats only dead matter
Detritivore versus Decomposer
A detritivore eats (vulture), a decomposer is a wider term and is used for any organism that consumes dead matter (mushroom)
Ecological Pyramid
A model showing the different trophic levels in a relationship
What are the different types of ecological pyramids
Energy- amount of energy passed on
Biomass- amount of biomass passed on
Number- population of each trophic level
What is the most successful Heterotroph
An Omnivore because it has many more options
Does matter move one way or cycle around
It cycles around
What are biogeochemical cycles
A nutrient cycle
What are the 6 main biogeochemical cycles
Hydrogen, Oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, sulfate, phosphorus
Describe the Water Cycle
transpiration/evaporation => precipitation/runoff=> Condensation
Describe the Carbon Cycle
taken in by plants (photosynthesis), released when they die or are consumed, also given off by respiration and combustion
Describe the Nitrogen Cycle
(can occur naturally and unaturally)
goes from gas to ammonia to nitrates to gas
Name and Describe the three processes in the nitrogen cycle
Nitrification- Done by bacteria on plant roots, changes gas to ammonia
Assimilation- ammonia to nitrates
Denitrification- Done by bacteria, nitrates to gas
Describe the Phosphorus Cycle
Cycles around rocks, dirt, bodies, and ocean
-DOES NOT enter the air
Nutrient Limitation
When any given nutrient becomes rare and lowers the ecosystems whole productivity
What are the affects of a sudden supply of a limiting nutrient
One organism may suddenly become abundant and take away from other organisms.
