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ESS SL > Ecology - 2.1 Individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems > Flashcards

Ecology - 2.1 Individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems Flashcards

1
Q

Biosphere

A

An ecological system composed of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems

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2
Q

Components of the biosphere

A
  • biome
  • ecosystem
  • community
  • population
  • individual
  • gene
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3
Q

Species

A

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring (biological species concept)

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4
Q

Classification

A

The systematic arrangement of organisms into groups based on shared characteristics or evolutionary relationships

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5
Q

Stages of classification

A
  • domain
  • kingdom
  • phylum
  • class
  • order
  • family
  • genus
  • species
    (Do keep penis clean or fanny gets spots)
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6
Q

Genus

A

A taxonomic category ranking below family and above species, containing related species

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7
Q

Taxonomist

A

A scientist who identifies, names and classifies organisms into groups based on shared charactristics

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7
Q

Dichotomous key

A

A tool for identifying organisms using a series of paired, mutually exclusive choices
* series of yes or no questions that divide groups of organisms into smaller and smaller groups

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8
Q

DNA Survey

A

Method of identidying organisms by analysing genetic material

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9
Q

DNA Survey stages (6)

A
  • collection
  • extraction
  • amplification
  • sequencing
  • analysis
  • interpretation
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10
Q

Population

A

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time and which are capable of interbreeding

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11
Q

Abiotic factor

A

Non-living physical factors that may influence organisms

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12
Q

Abiotic factor examples (name 2)

A
  • Air/water temp.
  • Ambient light levels
  • Water salinity or turbidity (clarity)
  • Soil characteristics
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13
Q

Biotic factors

A

Living components of an ecosystem

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14
Q

Biotic factor examples (name 2)

A
  • Food sources
  • Predators
  • Competitors for the same resources
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15
Q

pH

A

A measure of how acidic or basic a substance is, from 0 to 14

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16
Q

Salinity

A

The concentration of dissolved salts in water, often expressed in parts per thousand

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17
Q

Dissolved oxygen

A

The amount of oxygen gas present in water, crucial for aquatic life
* higher DO = better water quality

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18
Q

Soil texture

A

The relative proportions of sand, silt and clay particles in soil
* affects drainage, fertility and productivity of soils

19
Q

Insolation

A

The amount of light entering an ecosystem, affecting its temperature and evaporation rate

20
Q

Niche

A

Particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions upon which an organisation or population depends

21
Q

Ecological niche

A

The role of a species in an ecosystem

22
Q

Herbivory

A

The consumption of plant material by animals

23
Q

Predation

A

An interaction where one organism (predator) kills and eats another (prey)

24
Q

Parasitism

A

Where one organism benefits at the expense of another typically living on or in it

25
Q

Mutualism

A

An interaction between two species where both benefit from the relationship

26
Q

Carrying capacity

A

The maximum population size an environment can sustain indefinitely with available sources

27
Q

Density-dependent factor (2 examples)

A

An influence on population growth that varies with population density
* competition for food becomes more intense as population increases
* disease transmission is faster in dense populations because pathogens can spread more easily between individuals

28
Q

Density-independent factor (1 example)

A

An influence on population growth that is unaffected by population size
* natural disasters

29
Q

Two types of carrying capacity graphs

A
  • Exponential growth - J curve
  • Logistic growth - S curve
30
Q

J curve explained

A

If there are no limiting factors, the population will continue growing until one is reached

31
Q

S curve explained

A

When density-dependent limiting factors start to operate, population growth begins to slow

32
Q

4 sections of the S curve

A
  1. Lag phase (low birth rates)
  2. Exponential growth phase (growth faster and faster)
  3. Transitional phase (growth rate slowes)
  4. Stationary phase (growth rate stabilises)
33
Q

Limiting factor

A

Any resource or condition that restricts the growth, abundance or distribution of an organism or population

34
Q

What has increased our carrying capacity? (2 examples)

A
  • Elimination of natural predators
  • Technological advances (modern medicine and agriculture)
35
Q

Random sampling

A

A method of selecting individuals from a population where each has an equal chance of being chosen

36
Q

Systematic sampling

A

A method of sampling using a fixed, periodic interval to select individuals from a population

37
Q

Transect sampling

A

A technique for studying organism distribution along a line across an environmental gradient

38
Q

Quadrat sampling

A

A method using square frames to count organisms in a small representative area

39
Q

Lincoln index

A

A method for estimating population size using capture-mark-recapture data
Pop. size = (MxN)/R

40
Q

Community

A

A collection of interacting populations within the ecosystem

41
Q

Habitat (how to describe)

A

The location in which a community species, population or organism lives
(description: geographical and physical locations, type of ecosystem)

42
Q

Ecosystem

A

A community and the physical environment with which it interacts

43
Q

Steady-state ecosystem

A

A system where inputs and outputs of energy and matter are balanced

44
Q

Keystone species

A

An organism with a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance

45
Q

Biosphere integrity

A

The functional and genetic diversity of Earth’s ecological systems

ESS SL (8 decks)

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