Ch 8 Key Terms Flashcards
Population
a group of organisms of the same species that live in a specific geographical area and interbreed
Density
number of individuals of the same species that live in a given unit of area
dispersion
the pattern of distribution of organisms in a population
Growth rate
expression of the increase in the size of an organism of population over a given period of time
Reproductive potential
maximum number of offspring that a given organism can produce
Exponential growth
logarithmic growth in which numbers increase by a certain factor in each successive time period
Carrying Capacity
the largest population that an environment can support at any given time
Niche
The unique position occupied by a species, both in terms of its physical use of its habitat and its function within an ecological community
Competition
relationship between two species in which both species attempt to use the same limited resources.
Predation
an interaction between two organisms in which one organism, the predator, kills and feeds on the other organism, the prey.
Parasitism
A relationship between two species, the parasite, benefits from the other species, the host, which is harmed
Mutualism
A relationship between two species in which both species benefit
Commensalism
relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected
Symbiosis
relationship in which two different organisms live in close association with each other
