Chapter 6: Ecology Flashcards
Ecology
Is the study of how living things interact with their environment and each other
Habitats
The place where an organism lives is its habitat.
Population
Is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same habitat
Community
Is all of the different populations that live in a habitat
Ecosystems
Is all the communites interacting with each other, and with their environment.
Biome
An ecosystem that extends over a very large area is called a biome.
Biosphere
All of the Earths ecosystems together form one large ecosystems known as the biospere
Abiotic
The temperature and the type of land affects the plants and animals in a habitat
Biotic
The types of organisms that live there and how they affect each other.
Abiotic factors
Weather
Soil
Type of landscape
Biotic factors
Competition
Predation
Symbiosis
Competition
Is the struggle between organisms for things that are in short supply, such as food, space, oxygen, water, light and mates.
Predation
Controls the number of organisms in an ecosystems
Symbiosis
Is a relationship between organisms of different species where at least one benefits.
Interdependence
Where two organisms depend on each other for an important aspect of their survival it is called interdependence.
Adaptation
Is when an organism develops characteristics that make it better suited to it habitat. Adaptation is the result of evolution.
Two types of adaption
Physical adaptation
Behavioural adaptations
Example of physical adaption
A cheetahs powerful limbs and sharp teeth makes it an excellent predator
Example of behavioural adaptation
Field mice are nocturnal. They are only active at night, to prevent them from being eaten by owls.
Niche
Is the role of an organism within a habitat
Feeding relationship
A feeding relationship is the way energy and nutrients are passed from one organism to another.
Producers make their own food
Consumers must get their food by eating plants or other animals.
Herbivores
Are animals that eat plants only
Carnivores
Are animals that eat animals only
Omnivores
Are animals that eat both plants and animals