ecological terminology

Question 1

define taxonomy

Answer 1

the science of group organisms according to their similarities in their features

Question 2

define species

Answer 2

a group of closely related organisms which are able to breed with each other to produce fertile offspring

Question 3

define evolution

Answer 3

the process that changes the genepool of a species, in some cases separating gene pools which eventually become two or more species

Question 4

define habitat

Answer 4

an area or location where a species of community of species lives

Question 5

define ecological niche

Answer 5

the role an organism plays in its habitat

Question 6

define population

Answer 6

the total number of all individuals of one species that lives in the area

Question 7

define community

Answer 7

the total number of all the individuals of all the species that live in the area

Question 8

define ecosystem

Answer 8

the combination of abiotic and biotic factors in the area and their interactions with one another

Question 9

define biome

Answer 9

a large geographical region with specific climatic conditions within which a characteristic community of species lives

Question 10

define biosphere

Answer 10

all of planet earth that is inhabited by living organisms including land, soil, water and atmosphere

Question 11

what are the similarities and differences between the term biome and ecosystem

Answer 11

• both refer to a characteristic species
• biome refers to all areas covered by a characteristic species
• ecosystem refers to a singular isolated area of a characteristic species

Question 12

what are the similarities and differences between the term taxon and species

Answer 12

• both refer to similarities between species
• species refer to individuals which can breed together to produce fertile offspring
• taxon refers to any grouping of individuals that appear similar

Question 13

what are the similarities and differences between the terms ecological niche and habitat

Answer 13

• both refer to the place an organism lives
• a niche refers to the role
• a habitat refers to the place an organism lives