Chapter 8 Flashcards
population
a group of organisms of the same species that live in a specific geographical area and interbreed
density
the number of individuals of the same species that live in a given unit of area
dispersion
in ecology, the pattern of distribution of organisms in a population
growth rate
an expression of the increase in the size of an organism or population over a given period of time
reproductive potential
the maximum number of offspring that a given organism can produce
exponential growth
logarithmic growth, or growth in which numbers increase by a certain factor in each successive time period
carrying capacity
the largest population that an environment can support at any given time
niche
the unique role of a species within an ecosystem. includes physical home, all the organisms interactions, and the environmental factors
competition
the relationship in which different individuals or populations attempt to use the same limited resource
predation
a predator feeds upon its prey
parasitism
one organism, the parasite, benefits, while the other organism, the host, is harmed
mutualism
both organisms benefit
commensalism
one organism benefits while the other is unaffected
symbiosis
interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.
