Ecology Flashcards
Levels of Organisation
Macromulecules: organelles
Oraganelles together: cell
Cells of the same type: tissue
Different tissues together: organs
When we put different organs together we get an organism
Several organisms of the same species
Population
Several different populations in the same area
Community
Several communities in the same area, interact with different non-living factors (water, air, soil)
Ecosystem
A large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups that are adapted to a particular environment.
Biome
Ecosystems are made of (biotic) living and (abiotic) non-living factors. Examples
Biotic: Availability of mates, numbers of predators and parasites
Abiotic: (Physical surroundings), rainfall, tempeature
Biosphere
All parts of Earth where organisms live as a whole
What’s a habitat
A particular place where a population of living things lives
Features of habitats
Water, shelter, food, mates, clean air, warmth, light and safety
Producers
Synthesise nutrients using sunlight
Consumers
an organism that gets energy from other consumers or producers. Animals
Herbivores
eats non-living organisms. first-order consumer
Carnivores
eats living organisms animals or meats. Predators: catch and kill live animals. Scavengers: preys on already dead animals. Second,third of fourth level consumers.
Omnivores
Eats both animals (meat) and plants. second third fourth order consumers
Decomposer
Breaks down dead matter (organic compounds) into inorganic compounds, recycling nutrients into the soil for producers.
Food Chains
Needs arrows shows the flow of energy, shows what was eaten and by the flow of energy along the chain
Energy flows from
Producers to herbivores (heterotrophs, consumers). Then to carnivores through organic molecules gained from feeding
Food Chains vs Webs
Food chains are too simple and don’t accurately reflect trophic relationships. Webs are better as they show how many species ar connected in many ways.
Summary of food chains and webs
All webs/chains start with the sun. Many different organisms have different relationships in an ecosystem. They show the flow of energy.
Energy Flow
Energy flows in one direction. From primary producers to primary consumers, the secondary and tertiary consumers. Only 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level. 10 percent rule.
Energy
Energy can’t be created. It has to be transferred from one organism to another.
Non-Symbiotic Relationships
Short-term relationships between 2 organisms. Spontaneous relationships. Example Predator-Prey and Competiton
Predator-Prey
Predator: catches live prey for food.
Prey: the animal that is animal that is captured killed and consumed by another animal
Competition
Organisms fight over resources needed for survival.
Competition in plants
Plants usually are in competition for, water, sunlight and nutrients from the soil (all needed for photosynthesis). Trees grow taller and taller to compete for sunlight. Tree roots are spreading for more access to nutrients and water in the soil and to ward off other trees from their territory.
Competition in animals
Animals are usually in competition for food, mates and territory.
Symbiosis
Organisms in a close relationship where at least one organism benefits.
Commensalism (+0)
One organism benefits as another remains unaffected. Ferns, moss and orchids grow on large trees allowing access to sunlight and rainwater
Parasitism (+ -)
One organism benefits while the other is harmed. Parasites live on or in their host, Example: tics on a dog
Mutualism (++)
2 different types of organisms benefit. Flower and bee.
Niche
The location and role an organism has in its habitat. The ecological niche of a sunflower growing in the backyard includes absorbing light, water and nutrients (for photosynthesis), providing shelter and food for other organisms (e.g. bees, ants, etc.), and giving off oxygen into the atmosphere.
Bioaccumulation
A process of accumulation of chemicals in animals. This takes place if the chemicals are absorbed faster than they are excreted.
Biomagnification
Biomagnification: contaminant concentrations increase in the tissue of higher species of the food chain. They are magnified ain the tissue and organs of larger animals as contaminated smaller animals are eaten.
Photosynthesis
6C02 + 6H2O– C6H12O6+6O2
Carbon Cycle
Continual exchange and movement of carbon through the atmosphere, ocean, land and organisms
1st step of the Carbon Cycle. Atmospheric
Found in the form of CO2 and CH4 (methane). Absorbed by oceans and used in plants for photosynthesis.
2nd step of the Carbon Cycle. Photosynthesis
Plants use carbon and sunlight to convert glucose. Carbon becomes part of the structure of the plant. 6CO2+6H2O— C6H12O6+6O2
3rd Step in Carbon Cycle. Consumption by Organism
Animals and humans eat plants and release CO2 into the atmosphere through cellular respiration C6H12O6+6CO2– 6CO2+ 6H2O
4th Carbon Cycle. Decomposition.
Organisms die, and carbon returns to the soil- forming fossil fuels after thousands of years.
5th Step of Carbon Cycle
Burning Wood and fossil fuels releases carbon back into the atmosphere.
Cellular Respiration
- Glycosis
Occurs in the cytoplasm
Broken down in the pyruvate
Produces 2 ATP Molecules
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
Aerobic Respiration
- Aerobic Respiration
Occurs in the mitochondria when oxygen is available. Produces 34 ATP molecules.
Anaerobic
When oxygen lacks energy. Produced Lactic Acid. Generates less energy than aerobic respiration
Fossil Fuels
Hydro-based carbon based materials formed after millions of years from decomposed organisms
Oil
Formed from metahne. Marine micro-organisms trapped in rock. Drilling. oil trapped between small rock and sediment, forming after a long time.
Coal
Compacted decayed land vegetation. Deposits become coal when layers are heated and compacted.
Natural Gas
Composed of methane. marine micro-organisms deposited on the sea floor, trapping oil in rock and sediment. Formed from drilling. Conventional: easy to extract
Unconventional: Too hard to get through and needs fracking.
