Ecology Flashcards
ecology
branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and their physical surroundings
how are some ways humans have caused major damage to our environment?
population, sixth mass extinction, thinning ozone layer, climate change
greenhouse effect
mechanism that insulates earth from the deep freeze of space. greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane absorb heat/energy and cause the planet to warm
populations
members of the same species that live in the same place at the same time
communities
multiple species that live in the same area
ecosystem
all living organisms and non-living organisms in the area
biome
a large area that has similar living and nonliving areas
biosphere
area of earth alongside the atmosphere supports life/all of earth
interconnectedness/interdependence
the idea every nonliving and living thing is connected and required to survive
biotic factors
living compounds that affect an organism (ex. plants, animals, people)
abiotic factors
nonliving compounds that affect an organism (ex. temperature, weather, water)
acclimation
how an organism adjusts within an environment (ex. changing culture when visiting/moving to a different place)
conformers
do not regulate their own body temperature; the environment does (reptiles, cold-blooded)
regulators
requires use of energy to regulate body temperature (warm-blooded)
