Chapter 13 - Ecology Flashcards
ecology is the study of
interactions between organisms and their environment
environment encompasses
all that is external to organism and necessary for existence
organism’s environment contains two components
abiotic (physical) biotic (living)
abiotic
physical (non-living)
biotic
living
physical (abiotic) environment includes (5)
climate temperature availability of light availability of water local topology
living (biotic) environment includes
all living things which directly or indirectly influence life of organism
the relationship that exists between organisms is a part of the
biotic environment
levels of biological organization
organism population communities ecosystem biosphere
organism
individual unit of ecological system
organism is composed of
smaller units
organism contains ____ which are made up of ____
organ systems; organs
organs are formed from
tissues
tissues are formed from
cells
cells are formed from
molecules
molecules are formed from
atoms
atoms are formed from
sub-atomic particles
population is a group of
organisms of the SAME species
population is a group of organisms of ____ species
same
population is a group of organisms of the SAME species _____
living together in a given location
examples of populations include: dandelions; flies; minnows; lions;
on a lawn; in a barn; in a pond; in a grassland area
species
group of similar organisms capable of reproducing fertile offspring
environmental factors such as _____, ____, ____ aid in maintaining populations are relatively constant levels
nutrients, water, sunlight limitations
a community consists of
biotic environment populations of different plants and animal species interacting with each other in a given environment
biotic community includes
only populations and not physical environment
ecosystem includes
community and environment
community contains populations from
all 5 kingdoms
5 kingdoms
monera, protists, plants, fungi, animals
within an ecosystem, all 5 kingdoms depend on
each other for survival
lawn contains
dandelions grasses mushrooms earthworms nematodes bacteria
pond contains
dragonflies algae minnows insect larvae
forest contains
moss pine bacteria lichens ferns deer chipmunks spiders foxes
sea contains
fish whales plankton
ecosystem (ecological community) encompasses the interaction between
living biotic communities and nonliving environment
in studying the ecosystem, the biologist look sat the effects of the
biotic community on the env. and vise versa
examples of communities and of ecosystems
lawn pond forest sea
biosphere includes
all portions of the planet which supports life
portions of the planet which support life (3)
atmosphere lithosphere hydrosphere
lithosphere
rock and soil surface
hydrosphere
oceans
the biosphere extends ____ beneath the earth’s surface
a few feet
the biosphere extends ____ into the sea
several miles
the biosphere extends _____ into the atmosphere
several miles
parts of the physical environment (5)
water temperature sunlight oxygen supply substratum (soil or rock)
major component of the internal environment of all living things
water
water may be readily available or the organism may
possess adaptations for storage and conservation of the water
temperature must be
maintained at an optimal level
at temperatures below 0C and above 100C, _____ is destroyed
protoplasm
organisms have _____ necessary for protection against temp. extremes
adaptations
temperature of a geographic location depends on its
latitude altitude
as one approaches the colder polar regions and the colder regions of a mountain top
the same changes in habitat occur
ultimate source of energy for all organisms
sunlight
green plants must compete for _____ in forests
sunlight
broad leaves, branching, growing to greater height, produce vine growths are examples of
adaptations of plants to capture as much sunlight as possible
photic zone (water) is defined as
top layer through which light can penetrate
the photic zone in water is where all
aquatic photosynthetic activity takes place
aphotic zone (water)
only animal and heterotrophic life exist
oxygen supply and terrestrial life
no problem - air contains 20% oxygen
aquatic plants and animals must utilize (oxygen supply)
small amount of oxygen dissolved in water
pollution and oxygen supply in water
pollution can significantly lower oxygen content in water and threaten aquatic life
substratum determines the nature of
plant and animal life in the soil
soil is affected by (4)
acidity (pH) texture minerals humus
most suited for growth in acid soil (2)
rhododendrons pines
this may make soil pH too low for most plant growth
rain
____ and ___ determine the water-holding capacity of soil
texture clay content
willows require ____ soil
moist
most plants grow well in
loams
loams contain
high percentages of each type of soil
examples of minerals that affect the type of vegetation that can be supported (2)
nitrates phosphates
beach sand is unable to support plant life because it has been
leached of all minerals
humus quantity is determined by
amount of decaying plant and animal life in the soil
organisms belonging to the same or different species influences
each other’s development
living things interact with
other living organisms and with their physical environment
interactions between constituents of an ecosystem involve a _____ of energy and materials
cyclic flow
interactions within the ecosystem
niche nutritional interactions interspecific interactions intraspecific interactions interactions between organisms and their environment
the niche defines the
functional role of an organism in its ecosystem
habitat
physical place where an organism lives
relationship between habitat and niche
characteristics of habitat help define the niche
the concept of the niche embodies
every aspect of an organisms existence
the niche describes
what the organism eats where and how it obtains food the nature of its parasites and predators where and how it reproduces
by definition, two species _____ niche
can never occupy the same
organisms occupying the same niche
compete for limited resources
examples of limited resources in a niche
food water light oxygen space minerals reproductive sites
may be multiple organisms in the same niche, but they are
the same species - same requirements
a species can be _____ by the niche it occupies
identified
species occupying the similar niches use ____ in common
at least one resources
as a result of species occupying the same niche having at least one resource in common,
they will compete for that resource
competition among species for a common resource can have these outcomes
extinction elimination in environment divergence
extinction (outcome of species competition for common resource)
one species may be competitively superior —> drive other to extinction
elimination in environment (outcome of species competition for common resource)
one species may be competitively superior in one region while the other is superior in other regions elimination of one species in one region and the other in other regions
divergence (outcome of species competition for common resource)
two species may rapidly evolve in divergent direction under strong selection pressure resulting from intense competition two species evolve greater differences in their niches
examples of nutritional interactions within the ecosystem
autotrophs heterotrophs herbivores carnivores omnivores
autotrophs
organisms that manufacture own food green plants utilize energy of sun to manufacture food
chemosynthetic bacteria are examples of
autotrophs
chemosynthetic bacteria as autotrophs
obtain energy from oxidation of inorganic sulfur, iron, nitrogen compounds
heterotrophs
cannot synthesize their own food must depend on autotrophs or other heterotrophs in ecosystem to obtain food and energy
herbivores consume
only plants or plant food
the toughness of cellulose-containing plant tissues las led to the development of (herbivores)
structures for crushing and grinding that can extract plant fluid
herbivores have long digestive tracts that provide
greater surface area and time for digestion
herbivores cannot ______ most of the food the consume
digest
_____ capable of digesting cellulose inhabit the digestive tracts of herbivores
symbiotic bacteria capable of digesting cellulose
symbiotic bacteria (that inhabit the digestive tracts of herbivores)
are capable of digesting cellulose
symbiotic bacteria that inhabit the digestive tracts of herbivores allow for the breakdown and utilization of
cellulose
herbivores are more adept in ______ than carnivores because they are often prey
defense
many herbivores, like cows and horses, have hoofs instead of toes for
faster movement on the grasslands
herbivores have _____ adapted for cutting their food
incisors
herbivores have ____ adapted for grinding their food
molars
carnivores eat only
other animals
carnivores possess _____ and _____ for tearing flesh
pointed teeth and fang-like canine teeth
carnivores have shorter digestive tracts due to the
easier digestibility of animal food
omnivores eat
both animals and plants
community is an _____ of species, which are dependent upon one another for survival
integrated system
major types of interspecific interactions
symbiosis predation saprophytism scavenging
symbiosis
symbionts live together in intimate, often permanent association which may or may not be beneficial to both participants
some symbiotic relationships are
obligatory
obligatory symbiotic relationship
one or both organisms cannot survive without the other
symbiotic relationships are classified according to the
benefits the symbionts receive
types of symbiotic relationships
commensalism mutualism parasitism
commensalism
1 0 (one organism is benefited by the association and the other is not affected)
in commensalism, the host
neither discourages nor fosters the relationship
examples of commensalism: remora and shark
remora (sharksucker) attaches itself by a holdfast device to the underside of a shark remora obtains: food the shark discards wide geographic dispersal protection from enemies shark is totally indifferent
example of commensalism: barnacle and whale
barnacle is a sessile crustacean attaches to the whale and obtains wider feeding opportunities through the migrations of the whale
mutualism
1 1 symbiotic relationship from which both organisms derive some benefit
example of mutualism: tick bird and rhinoceros
bird receives food in the form of ticks on the skin of the rhino rhino has its ticks removed and is warned of danger by rapid departure of the bird
example of mutualism: lichen
very intimate association between fungus and algae found on rocks and tree barks
in lichen, the _____ produces good for itself and the fungus by ______
green algae; photosynthesis
the meshes of fungal thread _______ algae and _____ rain water
supports; conserves
in addition to supporting the algae and conserving rain water, the fungus also provides _____ and ______ for the algae
carbon dioxide; nitrogenous wastes
carbon dioxide, nitrogenous wastes, support and rain water are all needed for _____ and ______
photosynthesis; protein synthesis
lichens are ______ organisms in the order of ecological succession on bare rock
pioneer
example of mutualism: nitrogen-fixing bacteria and legumes
nitrogen-fixing bacteria invade the roots of legumes and infected cells grow to form root nodules
in the nodule, the legume provides _____ for the bacteria and the bacteria _____ nitrogen
nutrients; fixes
the bacteria fixes nitrogen by changing it to a _____
soluble nitrate
soluble nitrate is a mineral essential for _______ by the plant
protein synthesis
nitrogen fixing bacteria are a major source of
usable nitrogen
usable nitrogen is needed by
all plants and animals
example of mutualism: protozoa and termites
termites chew and ingest wood but are unable to digest cellulose. protozoa in the digestive tract of the termite secrete an enzyme which digests the cellulose
termites chew and ingest wood but are unable to digest
cellulose
_____ in the digestive tract of the termite secrete an enzyme which digests cellulose
protozoa
both protozoa and termites share the _____
carbohydrates
as a result of the protozoa-termites mutualism, the protozoan is guaranteed ______ and _____
protection; steady food supply
in the protozoa-termites mutualism, the termite is able to obtain
nourishment from the ingested wood
example of mutualism: intestinal bacteria and humans
bacteria utilize some of the food material not fully digested by humans and manufacture vitamin K
parasitism
-1 1
a parasite benefits at the expense of the
host
parasitism exists when
competition for food is most intense
few autotrophs (green plants) exist as
parasites exception: mistletoe
parasitism flourishes among organisms such as
bacteria fungi animals
ectoparasites
parasites that cling to the exterior surface of the host using suckers or clamps
ectoparasites cling to the exterior surface of the host using
suckers or clamps
ectoparasites may bore through the skin and
suck out blood and nutrients
examples of ectoparasites
leeches ticks sea lampreys
endoparasites
live within the host
in order to gain entry, endoparasites must pass through
defenses: skin digestive juices antibodies white blood cells
parasites possess special _____ to overcome defenses
adaptations
parasitism is ______ and _______ for the parasite
advantageous; efficient
the parasite lives with minimum
expenditure of energy
parasites may even have _____ of their own
parasites
mammal may have parasitic worms which are parasitized by bacteria which are victims of
bacteriophages
all viruses are
parasites
structure of virus
nucleic acids surrounded by a protein coat
viruses are _____ outside the host
nonfunctional
upon entry of the viral nucleic acid into the host, the virus
takes over the host cell functions and redirects them into replication of itself
most _____ are chemosynthetic or saprophytic
bacteria
saprophytic
bacteria of decay
diphtheria is parasitic upon
man
anthrax is parasitic upon
sheep
TB is parasitic upon
cows or man
most fungi are
saprophytic
ringworm is parasitic on
man
the tapeworm is parasitic on
man
successful parasites do not
kill their hosts
killing the host would lead to ____ of the parasite
death
the more dangerous the parasite, the less chance it will
survive
types of parasitism
virus and host cell disease bacteria and animals disease fungi and animals worms and animals
predators are free-living organisms which feed on
other living organisms
predation includes both
herbivores and carnivores
the predator may ______ the numbers or distribution of the prey
severely limit
as a result of predation, the prey may become
extinct
if the predator is scarce or commonly uses another source of food, it may
slightly affect the prey
the predator aids in controlling
the number of the prey,
although the predator aids in controlling the number of the prey, it does not so as to
endanger the existence of the prey population
predator-prey relationships evolve towards
a balance in which the predator is a regulatory influence on the prey, but not a threat to it’s survival
examples of predators
hawk lion humans Venus flytrap
saprophytes include
protists and fungi that decompose (digest) dead organic matter externally and absorb the nutrients
saprophytes constitute a vital link in the
cycling of material within the ecosystem
examples of saprophytes
mold mushrooms bacteria of decay slime molds
scavengers
animals which consume dead animals
because scavengers at dead animals, they require no adaptations for
hunting and killing their prey
decomposers such as bacteria of decay may be considered
scavengers
examples of scavengers
vulture hyena
example of both a scavenger and a predator
snapping turtle
competition is not restricted to interspecific interactions
may also be intraspecific
individuals belonging to the same species utilize the same
resources
if a particular resource is limited, organisms must
compete
members of the same species compete but they must also
cooperate
intraspecific cooperation maybe extensive or nearly nonexistent
extensive vs nonexistent
extensive intraspecific cooperation
formation of societies in animal species
competition is a chief disruptive force of intraspecific ______
cooperation
cohesive forces (intraspecific interactions)
reproduction protection from predators destructive weather
osmoregulation
animals have developed many adaptations for maintaining their internal osmolarity and conserving water
saltwater fish live in a
hyperosmotic environment
hyperosmotic environment and saltwater fish
causes them to lose water and take in salt
saltwater fish, due to hyperosmotic environment, are constantly in danger of
dehydration and must compensate
saltwater fish compensate for their hyperosmotic environment by cnostantly _____ and ______
constantly drinking and active excretion of salt across gills
freshwater fish live in a ______ environment
hypoosmotic
hypoosmotic environment causes fish to
intake excess water
freshwater fish intake of excess water causes excessive
salt loss
saltwater fish correct the excess water intake and excessive salt loss by _____, _____, _____
seldom drinking absorbing salts through the gills excreting dilute urine
in order to conserve water, insects
excrete solid uric acid crystals
desert animals possess ______ for avoiding desiccation (drying up)
adaptations
adaptation of camel to avoid deseccation
can tolerate a wide range of temperatures fat layers in regions which are exposed to solar radiation
adaptation of horned toad to desert the thick scaly skin prevents
water loss
other forms of adaptation to the desert
burrow in the sand during the day and search for food at night — avoiding intense heat (which causes water loss)
