Ecology Flashcards
Define ecosystem
The living organisms in a particular area, together with the non living components of the environment
Define community
All the organisms living in a habitat
Two or more populations
Define population
All the members of a single species living within a geographical area
Define species
A type of organism that is the basic unit of classification
What is to be said about breeding in terms of species?
Individuals of different species are not able to interbreed successfully
Define habitat
Where an organism lives
What are the four levels of organization within an ecosystem?
Producer
Primary consumer
Secondary consumer
Tertiary consumer
What is a producer?
An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis
Plants and algae which photosynthesise
What are primary consumers
Herbivores which eat plants (producers)
What is a secondary consumer?
Carnivores which eat primary consumers
What is a tertiary consumer?
Carnivores which eat secondary consumers
What is interdependence?
When all organisms in an ecosystem depend upon each other for food, shelter, water, in order to survive
What is a stable community?
The size of the populations of all species remain relatively constant overtime
What is competition between the same species called?
Intraspecific
What is competition between different species called?
Interspecific
