Chapter 5 ( Ecosystems ) Flashcards

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1
Q

Organism

A

A living thing

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2
Q

Species

A

group of living organisms capable of interbreeding with each other but not with members of other species

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3
Q

Population

A

group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at a particular time

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4
Q

Community

A

more than one population living in the same area at a particular time

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5
Q

Ecosystem

A

communities of organisms that interact with each other and their environment

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6
Q

Ecology

A

the study of ecosystems

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7
Q

Producers

A

organism at the base of the food chain that does not need to feed on other organisms; also known as an autotroph

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8
Q

Decomposers

A

organisms that break down organic matter into inorganic materials

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9
Q

Photosynthesis

A

the food-making process in plants that takes place in chloroplasts within cells. The process uses carbon dioxide, water and energy from the sun.

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10
Q

Autotrophs

A

see producer

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11
Q

Heterotrophs

A

See consumer

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12
Q

Consumer

A

organism that relies on other organisms for its food; also known as a heterotroph

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13
Q

Herbivore

A

animal that eats only plants

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14
Q

Primary consumer

A

the first consumer in a food chain; also known as a first-order consumer

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15
Q

Carnivores

A

Animal that eat other animals

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16
Q

Omnivore

A

animal that eats plants and other animals

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17
Q

Detritivores

A

animal that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter

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18
Q

Ecological niche

A

the position of a species or population in its ecosystem in relation to each other

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19
Q

Competition

A

the struggle among organisms for food, territory and other factors

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20
Q

Parasitism

A

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

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21
Q

Mutualism

A

relationship between two different organisms in which both benefit

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22
Q

Commensalism

A

relationship between organisms where one benefits and the other is unaffected

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23
Q

Interspecific competition

A

competition between organisms of the same species

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24
Q

Predator-prey relationship

A

relationship between organisms in which one species (the predator) kills and eats another species (the prey)

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25
Q

Symbiotic relationship

A

very close relationship between two organisms of different species. It may benefit or harm one of the partners.

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26
Q

Distribution

A

the area inhabited by a plant or animal species

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27
Q

Density

A

the number of a species living within an area

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28
Q

Ecosystem

A

communities of organisms that interact with each other and their environment

29
Q

Biotic factor

A

the living things (organisms) in an ecosystem

30
Q

Abiotic factor

A

the non-living features in an ecosystem

31
Q

Tolerance range

A

range of an abiotic factor in the environment in which an organism can survive

32
Q

Optimum

A

the range, within a tolerance range for a particular abiotic factor, in which an organism functions best

33
Q

Biodiversity

A

the variety of species of biological organisms, often in relation to a particular area

34
Q

Sampling method

A

techniques used to determine the density and distribution of various populations and communities within an ecosystem

35
Q

Transect

A

a sampling area along a straight line in which the number of organisms in that area is counted and recorded

36
Q

Quadrats

A

a sampling area, often one square metre, in which the number of organisms in that area is counted and recorded

37
Q

Mark, release and recapture

A

a sampling method used to determine the abundance of mobile species

38
Q

Root hairs

A

tube-like outgrowths of cells on the surface of roots. They have thin walls, which allow water and dissolved substances to move into the root.

39
Q

Phloem vessels

A

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.

40
Q

Xylem vessels

A

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.

41
Q

Vascular bundle

A

group of xylem and phloem vessels within a plant stem

42
Q

Translocation

A

transport of materials, such as water and glucose, in plants

43
Q

Transpiration stream

A

movement of water through a plant as a result of loss of water from the leaves

44
Q

Transpiration

A

loss of water from plant leaves through their stomata

45
Q

Organelles

A

small structure in a cell with a special function

46
Q

Chloroplasts

A

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.

47
Q

Light energy

A

energy from the light of the sun, absorbed by plants and used in photosynthesis

48
Q

Glucose

A

a simple carbohydrate and the simplest form of sugar

49
Q

Flaccid

A

limp, not firm

50
Q

Turgid

A

firm, distended

51
Q

Stomata

A

pores that exchange gases found on the surface of leaves. They are bordered by guard cells that change the size of the opening of the stomata.

52
Q

Guard cells

A

cells surrounding each stoma in a leaf enabling it to open or close depending on the availability of water

53
Q

Stoma

A

small openings through which water transfer occurs, located mainly on the lower surface of leaves. These pores are opened and closed by guard cells. Plural = stomata

54
Q

Producers

A

organism at the base of the food chain that does not need to feed on other organisms; also known as an autotroph

55
Q

Wind pollination

A

transfer of pollen from one flower to another by the wind

56
Q

Vectors

A

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

57
Q

Fat

A

an organic substance that is solid at room temperature and is made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms

58
Q

Metabolism

A

the chemical reactions occurring within an organism that enable the organism to use energy and grow and repair cells

59
Q

Cellular respiration

A

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.

60
Q

Aerobic respiration

A

the chemical breakdown of food using oxygen. The reaction needs enzymes, occurs in all body cells and releases energy.

61
Q

Mitochondria

A

small rod-shaped organelles that supply energy to other parts of the cell. They are usually too small to be seen with light microscopes. Singular = mitochondrion.

62
Q

Anaerobic respiration

A

the chemical breakdown of food without oxygen. The reaction needs enzymes, occurs in cells and releases less energy than aerobic respiration.

63
Q

Lactic acid

A

an end product of anaerobic respiration in animals; also known as lactate

64
Q

Ethanol

A

an end product of anaerobic respiration in plants; a form of alcohol

65
Q

Chemosynthetic

A

describes organisms that produce organic material using energy released from chemical reactions rather than light

66
Q

Food chains

A

diagram that shows how the energy stored in one organism is passed to another

67
Q

Tropic level

A

a level within a food chain, food web or food pyramid

68
Q

Energy pyramid

A

a representation of the level of food energy at each level within a food chain