Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology
Ecology is the study of the earth and ecosystems
What is a community
A community is a group of organisms that interact with each other in a certain location
What is and ecosystem
An ecosystem is a group of organisms that live and interact with each other.
What is population
Population is the amount of organisms in an area.
What is an organism
A group of organelles that join to form a living organism
What are Biotic factors
Living parts of a habitat
What are Abiotic factors
Non-living parts of a habitat
What does the term niche mean
A job or role in a habitat
What is a habitat
A place where an organism lives
Give three things that need to survive
Oxygen-respiration, food-to eat, water-to drink
Give three things that animals compete for
Mates, status, food
Give four thing that plants need to survive
CO2(carbon dioxide), light, water, mineral ions
Give three things that plants compete for
Light, space, water
What is an adaptation
An adaptation is something that an organism has developed(e.g. large ears) to help them survive.
Give four things that microorganisms need for survival
Oxygen-some
Sunlight-some
Water
Food
Give the three types of adaptation
Structural, behavioural, functional
Give the definition for structural adaptations
Changes of an organisms body structure
Give the definition for behavioural adaptations
Changes in the way organisms behave
Give the definition for functional adaptations
Chemical processes that take place inside an organisms body
Give an example of a structural adaptation
Cacti have spines and extensive root systems
Give an example of a behavioural adaptation
Plant shoots grow towards the light and their roots towards water
Give an example of a functional adaptation
Nightshade contain deadly poisons.
What is the difference between population and distribution
Population density represents the average number of organisms in a set area, whereas distribution density is how the organisms are spread out
Why is sampling important
Because we cannot count every organism.
What is a quadrat
It is a randomly placed sample zone
What is a transect
A transect is a path which someone counts and records occurrences of the object of study.
What is a food web
A web of organisms that start with the producer and end with the consumer
Give an example of a food web
Algae->crab->trout
What is trophic level 1
Producers
What is trophic level 2
Primary consumers
What is trophic level 3
Secondary consumers
What is trophic level 4
Apex predator/tertiary consumer
