Ecology Chapter 1 Flashcards
What is ecology?
The study of relationships between living organisms and their non-living surroundings
What is a open system
Allows energy and matter to enter a systems boundaries
What is a closed system
Only allows energy to cross a systems boundaries
Open system example
Open frying pan
Closed system example
Earth is a closed system as only light energy is allowed to enter
Dynamic equilibrium
A system that is continuously changing, but is constant due to Components adjusting without disturbing the whole system.
What is the biosphere made up of
- Atmosphere (air)
- Lithosphere (earth)
3.hydrosphere (water)
Biotic components
Biological/living components in the biosphere
Abiotic components
Chemical, geological, physical factors of the biosphere
Biotic components example
Animals, plants organisms
Abiotic components example
Rocks, dirt, mountains
Population
Group of the same species
Community
Different populations living together in the same area
Ecosystem
Living/non living organisms living in the same area
Biome
Large area with certain climate and certain types of living organisms
Biodiversity
Number of species in an ecosystem
Domino affect
If biodiversity decreases, the entire ecosystem is effected
Threats to biodiversity
- Land usage
- Invasive species
- Pollution
- Climate change
What are producers
Organisms that use the suns energy to produce food for themselves
Called autotrophs
Ex. Plants 
What are consumers
Organisms that can’t produce their own energy
Called heterotrophs 
Herbivore
Animal that only eats plants ex. Rabbits, cows, Caterpillars 
Omnivore
Animal that eats both plants and other animals
Ex. Humans, bears 
Carnivore
Animal that feeds on other animals
Ex. Tiger, eagle , lion
Primary consumer
Organisms that eat plants ex. Insects rabbits etc.
Secondary consumer
Organisms that mainly eat herbivores, but can be omnivores or carnivores
Ex. Spiders, frogs insect eaters 
Tertiary, consumer
Organisms that eat only the other animals ( true carnivores)
Ex. Lions, polar bears, wolves
Quaternary consumers come after tertiary 
Decomposer
Also known as a detritivore 
Organisms that feed on plants/animal waste, including that remains
Ex. Worms, mushrooms, fungi 
Indicator species
Organisms, whose presence or absence reflects on a specific environmental change
Ex. Less frogs = more mosquitos =more malaria 
