CB9 Flashcards
Define ‘Ecology’
The study of organisms and their interaction with the environment.
Define ‘Ecosystem’
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Define ‘Community’
All the biotic factors in an ecosystem.
Define ‘Population’
All the organisms of one species in an ecosystem.
Define ‘Interdependence’
The idea that all the biotic factors in an environment are linked in some way.
Define ‘Habitat’
The physical space a population or community occupy in an ecosystem.
Define ‘Abundance’
A measure of how common something is in an area.
Define ‘Quadrat’
A fixed area from which a sample is taken.
Define ‘Biotic’
Living.
Define ‘Abiotic’
Non-living.
What is the equation for population size?
Population size = Number of organisms in all quadrats x (Total size of area where organism lives / Total area of quadrats)
What does a food web show?
It shows the feeding relationships between the organisms in a community.
What is the distribution of organisms?
The distribution of organisms is where they are found in an ecosystem.
What factors can affect distribution?
Distribution can be affected by physical and chemical factors, such as temperature, rainfall and substances in the soil.
What are abiotic factors?
Non-living factors that can influence where plants or animals live (e.g. temperature, the amount of light)
What is a belt transect?
A line in an environment along which samples are taken to measure the effect of abiotic factors on the distribution of organisms.
How is an area measured (belt transect)?
Quadrats are placed along a line in a habitat, and the abundance of organisms is measured as well as the abiotic factors in each quadrat position.
What do changes in abundance in areas along the habitat show?
Changes in abundance can show which abiotic factor has the greatest effect on the organisms.
What varies in the same species of organisms in different environments?
Each species of organisms has certain adaptations that mean an organism is suited to particular conditions. If abiotic factors change, then the distribution of organisms may also change.
What are pollutants?
Substances that cause harm in the environment. They cause pollution and harm other organisms.
What are biotic factors?
Biotic factors are the organisms living in an ecosystem that affect other living organisms.
What is the predator-prey cycle?
The regular variation in numbers of predators and numbers of prey within a feeding relationship.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of species in an area.