Ecology Flashcards
Define “Ecology”
The study of relationships between organisms and their environment.
Species
Organisms of the same species are able to breed and produce fertile offspring.
Habitat
The environment in which a species lives
Population
Members of the same species living in a given area at a given time
Community
All the species living together in a given area
Ecosystem
The community and the abiotic factors
Biotic factors
All the living organisms in the environment
Abiotic factors
All the non-living conditions within the environment
Hydrosphere
Water
Lithosphere
Rocks
Atmosphere
Gases
Autotrophs/Producer
Produce organic matter from CO2 i.e. produces own energy
Heterotrophs
Obtain organic matter from other organisms
Parasites
Feed on living organisms without killing
Food Web
A “web” showing the different feeding relationships between species
Food Chain
It shows the flow of energy through trophic levels
What are the different trophic levels?
T1 - Producers (plants), T2 - Primary Consumers, T3 - Secondary Consumers, T4 - Tertiary Consumers, T5 - Quartenary Consumers
Why is energy not 100% transferred between trophic levels?
Lost by excretion, not eating the full species (think about how you wouldn’t eat the fat or bone on a steak)
What is a Energy Pyramid?
A graph of energy flow in a community
What are the different types of Greenhouse Gases?
Methane, CO2, Nitrous Oxide
Why do greenhouse gases cause global warming?
Solar radiation (heat) is put through the atmosphere, into the earth. The solar radiation is utilized then reflected out. The atmosphere prevents a percentage of the radiation from escaping and reflects back into the earth. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions causes the atmosphere to reflect or “trap” more solar radiation inside the earth, causing temperature levels to rise.
What are some ways that CO2/Carbon enters the earth from the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis
What are some ways that CO2 is released back into the atmosphere?
Burning (particularly fossil fuels), Respiration
Name the type of bacteria that has evolved to become resistant to antibiotics?
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
Define Evolution
Evolution is “the process of cumulative change in the heritable characteristics of a population”
What are the types of genetic variation?
- Mutation
2. Sexual reproduction
What are three examples of evolution?
- MRSA
- Peppered Moths
- Colorado potato beetle - pesticide resistance
What are homologous structures?
Different species have structures with very similar form and function -> shows a common ancestor
What are Transitional Fossils?
Fossils from an intermediate/common ancestor that shows change
