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Biology 20 (Alberta) > Ecosystem & Population Change > Flashcards

Ecosystem & Population Change Flashcards

1
Q

Define: Taxonomy

A

Classifying life forms; how living species are distinguished between each other

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2
Q

Define: Domain

A

a new level of classification that categorizes kingdoms into three major domains; it is the highest taxonomic rank.

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3
Q

What are the three domains?

A

Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya

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4
Q

Define: Prokaryotic

A

Organisms whose cells lack a nucleus

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5
Q

Define: Eukaryotic

A

Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus

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6
Q

Characteristics of Archaea

A

Life forms with a distinctive plasma membrane and cell wall chemistry (Prokaryotic)

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7
Q

Characteristics of Bacteria

A

Unicellular, lack a membrane bound nucleus, reproduce asexually, heterotrophic by absorption, autotrophic by chemosynthesis or photosynthesis (Prokaryotic)

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8
Q

Characteristics of Eukarya

A

Unicellular, membrane bound nucleus, sexual reproduction (Eukaryotic)

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9
Q

What are Archaebacteria?

A

Single-celled organisms that lack nucleus; live in extreme environments (ex. thermal vents, salt lakes, etc.)

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10
Q

What are Eubacteria?

A

Single-celled organisms that lack nucleus; live in a wide variety of environments (ex. cyanobacteria)

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11
Q

What are Animalia?

A

Ingest food, most motile, complex and specialized cells (ex. insects, birds, humans)

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12
Q

What are Plantae?

A

Photosynthesize to make food; most sessile and multicellular; complex and specialized cells (ex. pine trees, grasses)

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13
Q

What are Fungi?

A

Obtain nutrients via decomposition; sessile; multicellular or unicellular (ex. mould)

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14
Q

What are Protista?

A

Small, unicellular or multicellular; heterotrophs (ingest), autotrophs (photosynthesize), or decomposers (ex. Euglena)

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15
Q

What are the different classification levels in the Binomial Nomenclature?

A
  • Domain
  • Kingdom
  • Phylum
  • Class
  • Order
  • Family
  • Genus
  • Species
    (Darla, Keeps, Purple, Condom, Only, For, Good, Sex)
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16
Q

What is a Dichotomous Key?

A

Identification keys that use observable characteristics to identify an organism

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17
Q

What are the abiotic factors of an ecosystem?

A
  • Climate
  • Latitude
  • Elevation
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Moisture
  • Salinity
  • Light availability
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17
Q

What factors affect the distribution of life?

A
  • Climate
  • Latitude
  • Elevation
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Moisture
  • Salinity
  • Light availability
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18
Q

What are the abiotic factors aquatic ecosystems?

A
  • Light availability
  • Depth
  • Stratification
  • Temperature
  • Current
  • Tides
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19
Q

What does an organism’s range refer to?

A

The geographical area where the organism is found

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20
Q

Define: Ecological Niche

A

The role a species plays within the community and the total range of biotic and abiotic requirements for survival

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21
Q

What principle is applied when different species compete to occupy a niche? What does this entail?

A

The Competitive Exclusion Principle: When species compete to occupy a niche, the more qualified species will displace the less qualified.

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22
Q

Define: Habitat

A

A place or area with a particular set of characteristics, both biotic and abiotic.

23
Q

Define: Adaptation

A

When a species gains a beneficial, heritable trait in order to survive and/or reproduce in a specific environment

24
What are the three types of adaptation?
- Physical - Behavioural - Physiological
25
How does biodiversity occur in an ecosystem?
A variety of niches and habitats within an ecosystem will lead to biodiversity
26
What factors limit biodiversity and population size?
- Biotic potential - Abiotic Limiting Factors - Biotic Limiting Factors - Competition - Predation - Parasites - Energy Resources
27
Define: Biotic Potential
The maximum number of offspring a species can produce under unlimited resources
28
What traits are used to determine biotic potential?
- Birth potential: maximum number of offspring/birth - Capacity for survival: number of offspring that reach reproductive maturity - Breeding frequency: number of times per year that the species reproduces - Length of reproductive life: age of sexual maturity and years of productivity
29
What factors may limit a population from reaching their biotic potential?
Abiotic Factors: Light, temperature, chemical environment Biotic Factors: Food supply, predation magnitude, diseases, ability to compete for resources Other Factors: Predator-Prey relationships (Wolves/Moose), and parasitism (when one organism (parasite) benefits from the other (host))
30
Define: Intraspecies competition
Members of the same species compete for resources
31
Define: Interspecies competition
members of different species compete for resources
32
What are exotic and/or introduced species?
- The human introduction of non-naturally occurring species is one of the main causes of species depletion and extinction. - No natural predators/disease to keep the exotic species population in check
33
Define: Carrying Capacity
The maximum number of individuals of a species that can be supported at one time in an ecosystem
34
What is a limit of tolerance
When an organism can only survive/tolerate a certain range of an abiotic factor; above/below range = death
35
Define: Density-Independent Factors
Affect the population regardless of density, usually abiotic (ex. fires and floods)
36
Define: Density-Dependent Factors
Affect population because of density of the population, usually biotic (ex. food supply, water quality, disease)
37
What are the two ways to determine population size?
1. Census - count every individual 2. Sampling - count small portions and take average
38
What are the pros and cons of census?
Pros: Very accurate Cons: Time consuming, expensive, impractical
39
What are the pros and cons of sampling?
Pros: less expensive, less time Cons: must be random
40
Define: Transect
A long, rectangular area by which organisms are sampled (best for large areas and moving organisms)
41
Define: Quadrat
Sampling method used for relatively small organisms that usually stay in one area (can be used with photographs)
42
Define: Adaptation
A structure, behaviour, or physiological process that helps an organism survive and reproduce in a particular environment (ex. hibernation, camouflage)
43
Populations that __________ quickly, result in populations that _________ quickly
REPRODUCE, ADAPT
44
Where do variations come from?
1. Genetic mutation 2. Sexual reproduction
45
Are adaptations learned?
No, an individual must be born with it
46
What is a mutation?
- Changes in the genetic material (DNA) of an organisms - Can be neutral, harmful or beneficial - Tend to improve an organism’s fitness which improves the organism’s ability to successfully reproduce
47
Define: Mutagen
Environmental agents that cause changes to DNA (ex. UV radiation)
48
What happens if a mutation is benificial?
The organism will likely survive and pass the mutation on
49
What happens if a mutation is harmful?
Then the organism will likely die and not be able to pass it on
50
Define: Natural Selection
Process by which a population of organisms changes because individuals with certain traits can better survive the local environmental conditions and pass on these traits to their offspring
51
Define: Artificial Selection
Process by which a population of organisms changes because individuals are chosen by HUMANS to pass on desirable traits to their offspring
52
What was Lamarck's Theory?
- Lamarck (1744-1829) believed in the idea of spontaneous generation (new species arise spontaneously from non-living matter) - Organisms have a “desire” to change for the better - Use and/or disuse of structures is passed on to offspring
53
What are the six types of evidence of evolution?
1. Paleontology (study of fossils) 2. Biogeography (study of distribution of species) 3. Anatomy (study of organisms’ physical structures) 4. Embryology (study of fetal development) 5. Molecular Biology 6. Genetics
54
What is the geologic time scale

Biology 20 (Alberta) (12 decks)

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