Ecology Flashcards
1
Q
Factors in the physical environment
A
- light
- temperature
- water
- air
- mineral salt and salinity
- pH
2
Q
Light in the physical environment
A
- organisms need light to
- see
- live (photosynthesis)
- provides energy
- light intensity effects types of organisms living in the area (adaptations)
3
Q
Temperature in the physical environment
A
- in hot climates animals flap large ears to release heat
- in cold climates, animals thick fur coats
- cacti have thorns to avoid water loss (evaporation)
- animals migrate or hibernate in colder climates
4
Q
Water in the physical environment
A
- the source of all life
- amount of water determined by rainfall
- more water means more organisms
5
Q
Air in the physical environment
A
- air is mostly polluted by man’s activities (smoking, factories etc.)
- animals need air to live, mammals respire with oxygen, plants needs carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
6
Q
Mineral salts and salinity in the physical environment
A
- plants absorb mineral salts from the soil, animals get mineral salts from plants
- salinity in the water is important because many fish have adapted to it
7
Q
pH in the physical environment
A
- pH in freshwater is neutral at 7
- pH in seawater is a bit alkaline at 8
- pH in soil needs to be constant because most plants can’t grow in it if it is too acidic
- acidity in the water is greater in the daylight because of the plants photosynthesising
8
Q
Biotic environment
A
All living organisms in a habitat
9
Q
Relationships in a biotic environment
A
- predator-prey
- parasitism
- mutualism
10
Q
Predator-prey relationship
A
When an animal (predator) kills a eats another animal for food
11
Q
Parasitism
A
An organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (host)
12
Q
Mutualism
A
Relationship where two organisms benefit
13
Q
Habitat
A
Has many different types of organisms
14
Q
Population
A
Group of the same kind of organisms
15
Q
Community
A
Different populations in a habitat
