Definitions

Question 1

Define ecology

Answer 1

the study of organisms in relation to the environment in which they live

Question 2

Define biotic factors

Answer 2

factors from biological origin (behaviour, habitat selection, prey/ predator relations, disease, herbivory)

Question 3

Define abiotic factors

Answer 3

physical/ environmental factors (temperature, water, oxygen levels, sunlight, soil type, pH, salinity)

Question 4

Define ecosystem

Answer 4

a community and its abiotic environment – includes all interactions between a community of living organisms and its non-living environment

Question 5

Define habitat

Answer 5

the environment in which a species normally lives

Question 6

Define community

Answer 6

a group of populations living and interaction with each other in an area (habitat)

Question 7

Define population

Answer 7

a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time

Question 8

Define species

Answer 8

a group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Question 9

Define biosphere

Answer 9

The sum of all the planet’s ecosystems