Ecology_Terms_and_Definitions

Question 1

Biosphere

Answer 1

The parts of Earth where life exists. Ecological system of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems.

Question 2

Biome

Answer 2

Ecosystems with SIMILAR climatic conditions in different parts of the world.

Question 3

Ecosystem

Answer 3

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Question 4

System

Answer 4

Set of interacting parts working together to make a functioning whole.

Question 5

Community

Answer 5

Interacting populations of different species live together in an ecosystem. Help each other to look out for predators (learn each other’s warnings).

Question 6

Population

Answer 6

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time, which are capable of interbreeding.

Question 7

Species

Answer 7

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Usually not hybrids.

Question 8

Organism

Answer 8

An individual living thing that is a member of a species.

Question 9

Producers

Answer 9

Make their own food through photosynthesis.

Question 10

Consumers 4 types….

Answer 10

An organism that feeds on plants or other animals. - Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores, Detritivores.

Question 11

Herbivore

Answer 11

Organism that feeds only on plants (Vegan).

Question 12

Carnivores

Answer 12

Organism that feeds on other consumers (animals).

Question 13

Omnivore

Answer 13

An organism that can feed both on plants and animals.

Question 14

Decompositions

Answer 14

The process of breaking down the dead organic matter into simple organic molecules.

Question 15

Detrivoures

Answer 15

Organisms that speed up the decay process by feeding from decomposing plants or animal material (dead).

Question 16

Symbiosis: 5 types

Answer 16

Living together.

Question 17

Parasitism

Answer 17

A relationship in which one organism lives on or in a host and harms it (benefits at the expense of the host).

Question 18

Disease

Answer 18

A relationship in which a pathogen infects and harms a host. May not rely on the host, it’s a condition, lives inside and has symptoms such as sneezing.

Question 19

Mutualism

Answer 19

Both species benefit.

Question 20

Lichen-Mutualism

Answer 20

Mutualism between fungi and algae. Fungi provide protection, and absorption of water and nutrients. Algae provide food through photosynthesis.

Question 21

Commensalism

Answer 21

A relationship between two organisms in which ONE benefits and the other isn’t benefited nor harmed.

Question 22

Predation

Answer 22

The action of one organism hunts, captures and eats another for food (immediate death).

Question 23

Herbivory

Answer 23

The interaction (action) of an animal feeding off producers.

Question 24

Competition

Answer 24

The relationship in which two or more organisms compete for the same resource.

Question 25

INTRAspecific competition

Answer 25

Individuals of the SAME species competing for the same resource.

Question 26

INTERspecific competition

Answer 26

Individuals of DIFFERENT species competing for the same resources. E.g: Falcon and eagles.

Question 27

BIOTIC + examples

Answer 27

Living components or interactions. Examples: Insects, predation, fungi, parasite, microbe, Interspecific competition, FOOD!

Question 28

ABIOTIC + examples

Answer 28

Non-living components of an ecosystem. Examples: (Ph, temp, humidity) Salinity (Salt), Turbidity (Cloudiness), Territory, breeding sites, WATER.

Question 29

Nish

Answer 29

The specific biotic, abiotic, and resources a species depends on and influences their growth. Unique to each. Habitat included. What it eats, how and why it moves, how it interacts with its own and other species, and how it avoids predators or fights them.

Question 30

Carrying capacity (K) 2 definitions

Answer 30

The max size of a population determined by competition for resources. The max size of a population determined by what the environment can support for an extended period of time.

Question 31

Limited factors

Answer 31

Biotic and Abiotic factors that can slow the population growth as it reaches carrying capacity. Example: competition, diseases, temperature.

Question 32

Density Dependent

Answer 32

Factors that LIMIT population growth that depend on population density (size). Examples:

Question 33

Density independent

Answer 33

Factors that LIMIT population growth that are NOT related to population density (size). Doesn't matter how many there were, fully wipes out as much as was there. Examples: Climate change, change in precipitation, humidity, temperature, natural disasters, human disturbance (wildfires, pollution, deforestation).

Question 34

J curve

Answer 34

If there's no limited factors, there will be exponential population growth. The lag phase is at the beginning and the steepest part is the fastest growth. Positive feedback; More population --> more breeding --> more populations.

Question 35

S curve + phases

Answer 35

Density-dependent limiting factors start to operate (carrying capacity is created), the curve becomes S-shaped. Typically large mammals, vertebrates. Exponential contained. 1: Lag phase 2: Exponential growth 3: Declaration (declined) 4: Stable state equilibrium; Negative feedback loop affect.

Question 36

Lag phase

Answer 36

Slow growth, few individuals and plenty of resources.

Question 37

Exponential growth phase

Answer 37

Rapid growth most steep. Usually in the middle of the graph. NOT IN THE TIP.

Question 38

Die-back/population crash

Answer 38

Not enough resources for the population, so resources become limited (limiting factors) and the population crashes (mortality). "Boom and bust" Sudden drop!

Question 39

Overshoot

Answer 39

When population exceeds carrying capacity.

Question 40

Keystone species

Answer 40

They help maintain the balance within an ecosystem, preventing extinctions or resource depletion.

Question 41

Biosphere integrity and critical threshold meaning...

Answer 41

Biosphere integrity: the genetic diversity within species (amount of type of organisms there are) and how well ecosystems perform their roles, like providing food, water, and clean air. Critical Threshold: Point of no return where human disturbances in ecosystems have become so severe that we are past the point of easy recovery.