Chapter34-Ecology Flashcards
What is Ecology?
Scientific study of interaction of organisms with their living environment
What are the two variables that affect organisms?
Biotic factors and Abiotic factors
What are Biotic factors?
Biotic factors are the living components of the environment that affect an organism
What are Abiotic factors?
Abiotic factors are non living components of the environment that affects an organism and the physical and chemical factors.
E.g: Temperature, forms of energy, water availability, nutrients
What is an organisms habitat?
The environment the organism lives in. It consist of Biotic and Abiotic factors.
What are the main methods ecologists use to study the ecology ?
- Field study (visit various habitats)
- Hypotheses and experiments under controlled environments
- Theoretical models (Mathematics)
What is an organism?
Individual living thing
What is a population?
A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area
What is a community?
Collection of many all populations of organisms living in a particular geographical area close enough to each other so that they interact
What is a biosphere?
All of earth that is inhabited by life
What is a biome?
The Earth has many different environments, varying in temperature, moisture, light, and many other factors. Each of these habitats has distinct life forms living in it, forming complex communities of interdependent organisms. A complex community of plants and animals in a region and a climate is called a biome.
What is the pelagic realm?
All open water in the ocean
What is the Benthic realm?
The substrate or the ocean floor
What is the photic zone of the aquatic biomes?
The area of the aquatic biomes that gets exposed to sunlight. (about 200m deep from surface)
What is the Aphotic zone?
The area of the aquatic biomes that light does not penetrate. This zone is also known as the twilight zone
What are some adaptations of fish living in Aphotic zone?
- Large eyes to capture as much light to see
2. Large mouths to increase the chances of capturing prey
What are the marine biomes?
- Inter-tidal zone: Ocean meets land
- Estuary: River meets ocean
- Wetland - Transition between marine and terrestrial bomes. E,g Marshy land
What are freshwater Biomes?
- Lakes and ponds: Still water
- Rivers and streams: Flowing water
- Wetlands: Fresh water and terrestrial transition
What factor predominantly distinguish the terrestrial Biomes? and why
The plats (vegetation) Plants provide food, shelter, nesting sites for the community
What is convergent evolution?
Appearance of similar traits in species living in geographically distant biomes.