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Biology > Ecology > Flashcards

Ecology Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Biosphere

A

The part of the earth where life is possible

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2
Q

Biotic factor

A

Living factors that affect the community (food)

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3
Q

Climatic factor

A

The average weather conditions that affect the community in the ecosystem

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4
Q

Ecology

A

The study of how living things relate to each other and their environment

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5
Q

Ecosystem

A

A community of living organisms interacting with one another and their non-living environment within a particular area

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6
Q

Edaphic factor

A

Refers to soil .e.g, soil type, soil pH, humus content

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7
Q

Food web

A

Two or more interconnecting food chains in an ecosystem

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8
Q

Grazing food chain

A

A food chain where the initial plant is living
seaweed —> winkles —> crabs —> herring gulls
Algae —> water flea —> sickle back —> perch

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9
Q

Habitat

A

A place where something lives and to which it is adapted

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10
Q

Niche

A

The functional role of an organism in an ecosystem

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11
Q

Primary consumer

A

Feeds on producers

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12
Q

Producer

A

Organisms capable of making their own food .e.g, photosynthesis

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13
Q

Pyramid of numbers

A

A diagram that represents the numbers of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain
Area is in proportion to numbers

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14
Q

Qualitative survey

A

Records the species present, this is achieved by collecting and identifying the species

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15
Q

Quantitative survey

A

Records the actual number of species present

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16
Q

Secondary consumer

A

Feeds on primary consumers

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17
Q

Tertiary consumer

A

Feeds on secondary consumers

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18
Q

Trophic level

A

Position of an organism in a food chain. Feeding stage in a food chain.

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19
Q

Community

A

Population of different species of organisms

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20
Q

Species

A

Organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring

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21
Q

Key

A

Used to help identify plants and animals
A key asks a series of questions which pinpoint one feature after another of an organism and in a stepwise fashion, enable us to identify it

22
Q

Food Chain

A

A flow diagram that shows how food/energy is passed through a series of organisms in a community

23
Q

Detritus food chain

A

One where the chain begins with dead organic matter and animal waste
Detritus —> edible crab —> seagull

24
Q

Abiotic factor

A

Non-living factors that affect the community

25
Q

Competition

A

When organisms in an ecosystem fight for necessary resources that are in short supply

26
Q

Population

A

A group of individuals of the same species living together in a habitat

27
Q

Contest competition

A

Usually an active physical confrontation between two organisms and one organism gets the resource E.g. two dogs fighting for a bone

28
Q

Predation

A

The act of some animal (predators) catching and killing another animal for food

29
Q

Predator

A

An animal that catches and kills another animal, “prey” for food

30
Q

Scramble Competition

A

A struggle for a resource in an ecosystem with all the organisms obtaining a small amount of the resource

31
Q

Prey

A

The animal caught by the predator for food

32
Q

Symbiosis

A

When two different species live in close proximity with at least one of the two benefiting from the relationship .e.g. Rhizobium (bacteria) in the nodules of clover

33
Q

Conservation

A

The wise management of our natural resources

34
Q

Parasitism

A

The act of living on another living organism (the host) causing it harm

35
Q

Pathogen

A

A disease-causing organisms

36
Q

Community

A

The different groups of organisms living in an ecosystem

37
Q

Pollution

A

Any undesirable change to a habitat .e.g. acid rain

38
Q

Eutrophication

A

Artificial enrichment of a body of water, usually by nitrates and phosphates.

39
Q

Decomposition

A

The decaying of a dead organism

40
Q

Denitrification

A

The conversion of nitrates to atmospheric nitrogen

41
Q

Herbivore

A

An organism that feeds on plants only

42
Q

Nitrification

A

The process of converting ammonia into nitrates and/or nitrites

43
Q

Nitrogen Fixing

A

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates (often by bacteria or lightning)

44
Q

Problem with Slurry

A 
Causes eutrophication
Causes algal bloom which die
Algal death 
Microbial decomposition
Oxygen depletion
Plant and animal death
45
Q

Prevention of Slurry

A

Spread on a dry day
Leak-proof pits
Keep back a metre from water`s edge

46
Q

Benefits of Conservation

A

Endangered species are preserved
Balance in nature
Pollution and its effects are normally reduced
Existing environment we have is maintained

47
Q

How to Ensure Conservation

A

Mixed farming - crops and livestock (prevents soil erosion and manure keeps crops fertile)
Crop Rotation (different crops with different nutrients)
Biological pest controllers - ladybird eating greenfly (no chemicals)

48
Q

Acid Rain

A

pH 3/4
Burning fossil fuels
Corrodes buildings, reduces soil pH, irritates delicate lining of lungs

49
Q

Dealing with Acid Rain

A

Reduce fossil fuels burned
Reduce, reuse and recycle
Catalytic converters in cars
Smokeless fuels

50
Q

Role of Micro-organisms in Waste Management

A

Waste is covered in soil

Bacteria and fungi break down biodegradable material

Biology (38 decks)

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