Chapter 5 Semester 2 Flashcards
Organism
A 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 the same organisms living in the same area at the same time
Community
A group of different populations living the same area
Ecosystems
Communities of organisms that interact with each other and their environment
Ecology
The study of organisms
Producers
A organism at the base of the food chain that does not need to to feed on other organisms; also known as autotroph
Decomposers
Organisms that break down organic matter into inorganic materials
Photosynthesis
The making food process in plants that takes place in chloroplasts within cells. The process uses carbon dioxide, water and energy from the sun
Autotrophs
Self feeders
Heterotrophs
Other feeders
Consumers
Organisms that rely on other organisms food
Herbivore
Animals that can only eat vegetables
Primary consumers
The first consumers on the food chain; also know as a first order consumer
Carnivores
Animals that only eat other animals
Omnivore
Animals that plants and other animals
Detritivores
Animals that feeds on and breaks down plants and 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
Interspecific competition
competition between organisms of the same species
Mutualism
relationship between two different organisms in which both benefit
Commensalism
relationship between organisms where one benefits and the other is unaffected
Infraspecific competition
competition between organisms of different species
Prey and predator relationship
Relationship between organisms in which one species (the predator) kills and eats another species (the prey)
Symbiotic
Very close relationship between two organisms of different species. It may benefit or harm one of the partners
Distribution
The area inhabited by a plant or animal
Density
The number of species living within a area
Biotic factors
Living things (organisms) in a ecosystem
Abiotic factors
Non living organisms in a ecosystem
Tolerance range
range of an abiotic factor in the environment in which an organism can survive
Optimum range
the range, within a tolerance range for a particular abiotic factor, in which an organism functions best
Biodiversity
the variety of species of biological organisms, often in relation to a particular are
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 in that area is counted and recorded
Quadrats
a sampling area, often one square metre, in which the number of organisms in that area is counted and recorded
Mark, release and rapture
sampling method used to determine the abundance of mobile species
Distribution
The area inhabited by a plant or animal
Density
The number of species living within a area
Biotic factors
Living things (organisms) in a ecosystem
Abiotic factors
Non living organisms in a ecosystem
Tolerance range
range of an abiotic factor in the environment in which an organism can survive
Optimum range
the range, within a tolerance range for a particular abiotic factor, in which an organism functions best
Biodiversity
the variety of species of biological organisms, often in relation to a particular are
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 in that area is counted and recorded
Quadrats
a sampling area, often one square metre, in which the number of organisms in that area is counted and recorded
Mark, release and rapture
sampling method used to determine the abundance of mobile species
Chemosynthetic
describes organisms that produce organic material using energy released from chemical reactions rather than light
Food chain
diagram that shows how the energy stored in one organism is passed to another
Food web
diagram showing several food chains joined together to demonstrate that animals eat more than one type of food
Trophic level
A level within a food chain, food web or food pyramid
First order consumer
organism that is within the second trophic level of a food chain (herbivores); also known as a primary consumer
Primary consumer
The first consumer in a food chain
Second order consumer
organism that is within the third trophic level of a food chain (carnivores); also known as a secondary consumer
Secondary consumer
the second consumer in a food chain; also known as a second-order consumer
Energy pyramid
a representation of the level of food energy at each level within a food chain
Pyramid of numbers
a representation of the population, or numbers of organisms, at each level within a food chain
Pyramid of biomass
a representation of the dry mass of organisms at each level within a food chain
Birth rate
the number of organisms within a population that are born within a particular period of time
Death rate
the number of organisms within a population that die within a particular period of time
Emigration
The number of individuals living in a area
Exponential growth
a rapid increase in number or size, represented by a J-shaped graph
Sigmoid
the shape of a graph that shows a population increasing in number then reaching a plateau
Equilibrium
a state in which conditions are balanced and there is neither growth nor a decrease in number; also known as steady state or plateau phase
Zero population growth
the point at which birth and death rates balance each other out
Carrying capacity
the maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain
Eutrophication
a form of water pollution involving an excess of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphorus, resulting in algal blooms and possible death of fish and other organisms
Insecticide
A chemical used to kill insects
Fungicides
a chemical used to kill fungal growth
Herbicides
a chemical used to kill unwanted plants (weeds)
Fumigants
a chemical used in the form of smoke or fumes, to kill pests
Bioaccumulation
magnification of concentrations of a substance such as a nonbiodegradable pesticide along the food chain; also known as biological magnification
Introduced species
an organism that has been released into an ecosystem in which it does not occur naturally
Nocturnal
A organism that is awake and hunting at night and is asleep during the day
Thermoreceptors
special cells located in your skin, part of your brain and body core that are sensitive to temperature
Xerophytes
plant that is adapted to survive in deserts and other dry habitats
Ephermeral
Lasting for a very short time
Perennial
Lasting for three years
Drought tolerant
Able to tolerate a period of time without water
Drought resistant
able to store water and hence tolerate long periods of time without water
Eutrophication
a form of water pollution involving an excess of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphorus, resulting in algal blooms and possible death of fish and other organisms
Nocturnal
They are always awake at night
Thermoreceptors
special cells located in your skin, part of your brain and body core that are sensitive to temperature
