Ecology Flashcards
Define Species
A group of organisms that share similar characteristics that can produce fertile offspring
Define Population
Group of organisms of the same species that live in a particular area at a particular time
Define Community
Group of different species that live in a particular area
Define Environment
Consists of the surroundings and so includes biotic and abiotic components
Define Ecosystem
Comprises of all the populations living in that area including the abiotic factors
Define Biosphere
The parts of the Earth that is able to support life
Define Atmosphere
The thin layer of gasses that surrounds the earth consists of 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen and other gasses. Transference of solar energy to different earth systems via conduction convection and radiation account for different forms of life.
Define Hydrosphere
Represents the areas on earth that consists of water such as rivers lakes
Define Lithosphere
The outermost layer of the earth
Define Habitat
The region where an organism lives
Define Niche
The role that an organism plays in the ecosystem
Define Biome
These are types of ecosystems categorized by the climate and soil and vegetation
Define Ecotone
The transitional region between 2 adjacent ecosystem
Describe The Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere contains 4 layers the Troposphere, The Stratosphere(contains ozone layer), The Mesosphere and the Thermosphere and The fifth the exosphere
Describe Fundamental Niche
The role of organisms within an environment of favorable conditions that are determined by biotic and abiotic variables allowing a species to survive and successfully reproduce
Describe Reaslised Niche
A niche where a species must persist given the presence of competition for similar resources
What are the 5 roles of nitrogen
It is an essential macronutrient that alows for proper plant function
It is a key component in amino acids
It is a component in chlorophyll
It is a component in energy transfer compounds such as ATP
It is a component in DNA
What are the four stages of the nitrogen cycle and what takes place in them
Nitrogen Fixing- Nitrogen moves from the atmosphere into the soil. Lightning gives nitrogen gas in the atmosphere energy which reacts with the oxygen which produces nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide where then rain/snow allow it to enter the soil. Bacteria attached to the roots of plants then carry out nitrogen fixing
Nitrification- nitrite forming bacteria combines ammonia with oxygen to form nitrates
Denitrification- Denitrifying bacteria break down nitrates into nitrogen gas which is then put back inti the atmosphere
Ammonification- Organic material dies and nitrogen within them is absorbed by bacteria which then releases inorganic nitrogen back into the soil via respiration
Assimilation
Species Richness
Measure of the number of species within a sample location(GERMAN SHEPHERDS)
