Ch 5 - Ecosystems Flashcards
Biotic
Living factors/parts of an ecosystem
Organism
Living thing
Species
A group of living organisms capable of interbreeding with each other but not with members of other species
Population
A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at a particular time
Community
More than one population living in the same area at a particular time
Ecosystem
Communities of organisms that interact with each other and their environment
Ecology
The study of ecosystems
Producers
Organisms at the base of the food chain that does not need to feed on other organisms; also called an autotroph
Decomposers
Organisms that break down organic matter into inorganic materials
Photosynthesis
The food-making process in plants that takes place in chloroplasts within cells. The process uses carbon dioxide, water and energy from the sun.
Consumer
Organism that relies on other organisms for food; also called a heterotroph
Herbivores
Animal that eats vegetation exclusively
Primary consumer
The lowest animal in the food chain
Carnivore
An animal that consumes other animals
Omnivore
An animal that consumes plants and other animals
Detritivores
Animal that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter
Ecological niche
The position of a species or population in its ecosystem in relation to each other
Competition
The struggle among organisms for food, territory and other factors
Parasitism
An interaction in which one species (the parasite) lives in or on another species (the host) from which it obtains food, shelter and other requirements
Mutualism
An interaction between 2 individuals of different species during which both individuals benefit
Commensalism
A relationship between 2 organisms in which one benefits and one is unaffected
Interspecific competition
Competition between 2 organisms of the same species
Intraspecific
Competition between 2 organisms of different species
Predator - prey
Relationship between 2 species where one species kills and eats the other
Symbiotic
Very close relationship between 2 organisms. It may harm or benefit the organisms
Distribution
The way something is spread out
Density
The number of a species living in an area
Ecosystem
Community of organisms that interact with each other and their environment
Biotic factors
The living parts of an ecosystem
Abiotic factors
The non-living parts of an ecosystem
Tolerance range
Range of an abiotic factor in which an organism can survive
Optimum range
The range, within the tolerance range, that an organism functions best
Biodiversity
The variety of species of biological organisms, often in relation to an area
Sampling methods
Techniques used to determine the density and distribution of various populations and communities within an ecosystem
Transects
A sampling area along a straight line in which the number of organisms is observed and recorded
Quadrats
A sampling area, often 1 square metre, in which the number of organisms is counted and recorded
Mark, release and recapture
A sampling method used to determine the abundance of mobile species
Root hairs
Tube-like outgrowths of cells on the surface of roots. They have thin walls, which allow water and dissolved substances to be moved into the root
Phloem vessels
Long, narrow, living cells that are joined together to form long tubes in a plant. The tubes move the food made in the leaves to other parts of the plant, such as the roots and storage areas.
Xylem vessels
Long narrow cells that are joined together to form long tubes in a plant. The tubes, made from xylem cells, move water and dissolved minerals up from the roots to the stem and leaves. The wood in a tree trunk consists mostly of dead xylem cells.
Vascular bundles
Group of xylem and phloem cells within a plant stem/trunk
Translocation
The transportation of materials, such as water and glucose, in plants
Transpiration stream
Movement of water through a plant as a result of loss of water from the leaves
Transpiration
Loss of water from the plant leaves through their stomata
Organelles
Small structures within a cell with a special function
Chloroplast
Oval-shaped organelle found only in plant cells. Chloroplasts contain the pigment chlorophyll. They are the ‘factories’ in which carbon dioxide and water are changed by sunlight and water into food by the process of photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll
The pigmant that makes plants green
Light energy
Sunlight
Glucose
A simple carbohydrate and the simplest form of sugar
Flaccid
Not solid; floppy
Turgid
Solid; rigid
Stomata
Pores that exchange gases on the surface of leaves
Guard cells
Cells that open and close the stomata
Stoma
Small openings on the plant leaves surface where water exchange occurs
Flowers
The sexually reproductive structure of some plants
Gametes
Sex cells
Anthers
The part of a plant that produces pollen
Pollen
The male gametes of a plant
Ovaries
The part of a plant that produces ova
Ova
Female gametes of a plant
Fertilisation
Penetration of the ovum by a sperm
Pollination
Transfer of the pollen from the stamen to the stigma
Stigma
The female part of the flower, that catches the pollen during pollination
Self-Pollination
Transfer of pollen from one’s stamen to the stigma
Cross pollination
The transfer of pollen from stamens of one plant to the stigma of another
Wind pollination
Transfer of pollen from one flower to another via the wind
Vector
an organism that carries a pathogen between other organisms without being affected by the disease the pathogen causes; an organism that carries and disperses reproductive structures (e.g. pollen) of a different species
Insect pollination
Transfer of pollen from one flower to another via insects
Pollinators
Something that transfers pollen from one flower to another
Producers
Organism at the base of the food chain that doesn’t have to feed on other organisms
Photosynthesis
The food-making process in plants that takes place in chloroplasts within cells. The process uses carbon dioxide, water and energy from the sun.
Fat
An organic substance that is solid at room temperature and made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms
Metabolism
The chemical reactions that occur within an organism that enable the organism to use energy and to grow and repair cells
Cellular respiration
the chemical reaction involving oxygen that moves the energy in glucose into the compound ATP. The body is able to use the energy contained in ATP.
Aerobic respiration
The chemical breakdown of food using oxygen
Glycolysis
Process by which glucose is converted into a simple form, during which energy is released
Cytosol
The fluid inside a cell
Auxins
A plant hormones that regulates or modifies the growth of plants in the presence of light
Cytokinins
Hormone that promotes cell division in plants
Gibberellins
Plant hormones that regulate growth, including germination and dormancy
Abscisic acid
Plant hormones that is involved in the recess of development
