Chapter 5 Flashcards
Predation
occurs when a member of one species
the predator) feeds directly on all or part of a member of another species (the prey
Parasitism
occurs when one organism (the para-
site) feeds on another organism (the host), usually by
living on or in the host.
Mutualism
is an interaction that benefits both spe-
cies by providing each with food, shelter, or some
other resource.
Commensalism
is an interaction that benefits one
species but has little or no effect on the other.
Resource partitioning
occurs when species
competing for similar scarce resources evolve specialized
traits that allow them to share resources by using parts
of them, using them at different times, or using them in
different ways.
Coevolution
When populations of two different species interact in such a way over a long period of time, changes in the gene pool of one species can lead to changes in the gene
pool of the other. Such changes can help both sides to become more competitive or to avoid or reduce competition.
Population
is a group of interbreeding individuals
of the same species
Age structure
its distribution of individuals among various age groups—can have a strong effect on how rapidly it increases or decreases in size.
Range of tolerance
Every species has a range of tolerance to different changes in its ecosystem before dying
Limiting factors
A number of physical or chemical factors can help to determine the number of organisms in a population. Sometimes one or more factors, known as
Limiting factor principle
Too much or too little of any physical or chemical factor can limit or prevent growth of a population, even if all other factors are at or near the optimal range of tolerance.
Environmental resistance
the combination of all factors that act to limit the growth of a population.
Population crash
When a species shoots over an environment’s carrying capacity and can no longer sustain itself
Population density
is the number of individuals in a
population found in a particular area or volume.
Ecological succession
The normally gradual change in species
composition in a given area is called