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Science 391 > Ecology > Flashcards

Ecology Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Tundra

A

Cold and dry region. Near the poles.

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2
Q

Interspecific Competition

A

competition between different species
Ex: leopards and lions in sub-Saharan Africa competing for prey

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3
Q

Consumer

A

an organism that eats other organisms for energy;

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4
Q

Parasitism

A

close relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits (parasite) and the other is harmed (host).
Ex: fleas and dogs

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5
Q

Biotic Factors / Biological Factors

A

Factors in an ecosystem which are or once were living
Ex: plants, animals, dead tree leaves

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6
Q

Apex Predator

A

an organism at the top of the food chain with little or no natural enemies

mountain lion

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7
Q

Light-Dependent Reaction

A

The reaction requires sunlight. Photosynthesis converts light into chemical energy.

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8
Q

Deciduous Forest

A

An area with moderate temperatures and precipitation

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9
Q

Intraspecific Competition

A

competition between members of the same species
Ex: two male bighorn sheep fighting for a mate

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10
Q

Boreal Forest (Taiga)

A

An area with cool to cold temperatures and moderate precipitation

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11
Q

Biodiversity

A

The number of different types of species in an area

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12
Q

Tertiary Consumer

A

an organism in a food chain that eats secondary consumers. May be omnivores or carnivores.
Ex: bear or snake

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13
Q

Trophic Level

A

what an organism eats determines its food chain position.
Ex: primary consumer

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14
Q

Logistic Growth (in ecology)

A

Population growth slows after reaching carrying capacity. Insufficient supplies cause this.

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15
Q

Secondary Consumer

A

an organism in a food chain that eats primary consumers. May be omnivores or carnivores.
Ex: lizard

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16
Q

Keystone Species

A

Species that balance other populations by devouring omnivores.
Ex; starfish in a kelp forest

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17
Q

Interdependent Species

A

Species depend on each other for food, protection, competition, working together, and a process called symbiosis.

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18
Q

Calvin Cycle

A

This is the part of photosynthesis where sugar is made from carbon dioxide.

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19
Q

Community

A

a small group of interacting species

a group of humans, along with their dogs, cats, trees, etc.

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20
Q

Biosphere

A

The only place on Earth where life can be found. It goes from the bottom of the seas all the way up to the sky.

21
Q

Light-Independent Reaction

A

Reactions that can occur without light being present

22
Q

Food Web

A

explain how overlapping food chains in an ecosystem transfer energy.

23
Q

Mutualism

A

close relationship between two organisms where both organisms benefit from the relationship.

bees and flowers

24
Q

Desert

A

An area with extreme temperatures and little to no precipitation (less than 10 inches of rain a year)

25
Q

Temperate Rainforest

A

An area with moderate temperature and high precipication year round

26
Q

Omnivore

A

an organism that eats both plants and animals for energy and nutrients.

a mouse will eat both insects and seeds

27
Q

External Stimuli

A

something that occurs in the environment and can cause a response by the organism

a loud noise

28
Q

Ecosystem

A

A specific area with interaction of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) factors.

A group of humans, plants, and animals living on a farm

29
Q

Primary Consumer

A

an organism in a food chain that eats the plants (producers). Herbivores.

grasshoppers

30
Q

Commensalism

A

close relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits and the other is not affected.

barnacles and whales

31
Q

Symbiosis

A

two dissimilar organisms living in a close relationship

parasitism

32
Q

Competitive Exclusion Principle

A

the idea that two species that compete for the same resource can’t share the same area.

33
Q

Predation

A

a relationship between species in which one species hunts and kills another for food

foxes hunting chickens

34
Q

Exponential Growth (in ecology)

A

Even though there were plenty of supplies, populations grew quickly.

35
Q

Producer

A

an organism that uses abiotic resources (like the sun’s rays) to make food

grass

36
Q

Carrying Capacity (K)

A

how many living things an environment can support before it breaks down

37
Q

Limiting Factor

A

A resource that affects how fast a group grows or shrinks.

38
Q

Migration / Gene Flow

A

movement of individuals of a species

39
Q

Extinction

A

the dying out of all members of a species

dodo birds

40
Q

Carnivore

A

an organism that eats only other animals for energy and nutrients.

mountain lion

41
Q

Herbivore

A

an organism that eats only plants for energy and nutrients. Also called a primary consumer.

grasshopper

42
Q

Competition (Ecology)

A

struggle among organisms for basic needs such as space, water, food, and sunlight

two male lions fighting over a dead monkey

43
Q

Biome

A

A grouping of ecosystems that are alike. Biomes are put into groups based on the plants, animals, soil, habitat, temperature, and location

44
Q

Tropical Rainforest

A

An area with high temperature and precipitation year round. Often has high humidity.

Amazon Rainforest

45
Q

Grassland

A

An area with moderate temperature and low precipication year round

46
Q

Habitat

A

the natural environment of a living organism

a rattlesnake’s habitat: the desert

47
Q

Abiotic Factors / Physical Factors

A

Factors in an ecosystem which are not alive

temperature, precipitation, soil

48
Q

Internal Stimuli

A

something that occurs within an organism and can cause a response by the organism

release of hormones

49
Q

Niche

A

how a creature interacts with and acts in its environment.

Science 391 (19 decks)

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