Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology?
The study of plants and animals in relation to their environment.
What is the origin of the word ‘ecology’?
It comes from the Greek word Oikos, meaning home or dwelling place.
What are the two main branches of ecology?
Autecology and Synecology.
What does autecology study?
The relationship between a single species or individual organism and its environment.
What does synecology study?
The interactions between groups of organisms or species living together in a specific area.
What is a habitat?
A place where an organism naturally lives and interacts with its surroundings.
What are the main types of habitats?
Aquatic habitats (freshwater, marine) and terrestrial habitats (grassland, desert, savanna, forest).
What is the biosphere?
The part of the earth that supports life, including land, water, and air.
What is the lithosphere?
The solid portion of the Earth’s crust, consisting of rocks and soil.
What is the atmosphere?
The layer of gases surrounding the Earth, consisting mainly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%).
What is an ecosystem?
A natural unit of living organisms interacting with their non-living environment.
What is a biotic community (biome)?
A large group of naturally occurring organisms interacting within the same area.
What is population in ecology?
The total number of organisms of the same species living in a particular area at a given time.
What is a climax community?
A stable ecological community that remains in balance until disrupted by environmental changes.
What are the two main components of an ecosystem?
Biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic components (non-living factors).
What are the three main biotic components of an ecosystem?
Producers (plants), consumers (herbivores and carnivores), and decomposers (bacteria, fungi).
What are the main abiotic components of an ecosystem?
Climate factors (temperature, wind, humidity), inorganic nutrients (carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus).
How do decomposers contribute to an ecosystem?
They break down dead plants and animals, releasing nutrients back into the soil.
How do plants and animals interact in an ecosystem?
Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis, which animals use for respiration.
What role does sunlight play in an ecosystem?
It is essential for photosynthesis, which supports primary production in the ecosystem.
