Ecology Definitions Flashcards
Species
A group of living organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
Gene pool
A collection of genes and their allelic forms that are found in a population
Population
A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time
Community
A group of populations living and interacting in a particular area
Ecosystem
A community and its abiotic environment
Autotroph
An organism capable of making its own complex organic molecules from carbon dioxide and other simple inorganic compounds they absorb from the environment
Give examples of autotrophs that are not plants
Cyanobacteria, dinoflagellata,euglenida
Heterotrophs
Organisms that obtain their complex organic molecules by feeding on other organisms
Give an organism that feeds autotrophically and heterotrophically
Euglena gracilis in ponds
Classed as plants and algae
Producers in a food chain are always…
Autotrophs
Consumers in a food chain are always…
Heterotrophs
Which plants are heterotrophs and why?
Parasitic plants like dodder and algae
Obtain organic nutrients from their hosts
Ingestion
Taking in of a substance (medication, toxic, indigestible, solid or liquid food)
Consumers
Organisms that gain organic molecules by ingestion or eating
Primary consumers
Feed on autotrophs
Secondary consumers
Feed on primary consumers
Is the distinction between secondary, tertiary and quarternary consumers clear?
No, grizzly bears are tertiary consumers but feed on elk which are primary consumers and berries which are a product of autotrophs
Detritivores
Obtain organic nutrients from detritus by internal digestion
Give examples of detritivores
Earthworms and dung beetles
