Ecosystems Flashcards
What is a species ?
A group of organisms that are so similar genetically they can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
What is biodiversity ?
The variation found between different species and variations found within the same species
What is an ecosystem ?
Is a natural biological unit made up of a community of organisms in a habitat and the non living components in which they interact.
What is a population ?
A group of living organisms of one species
What is a producer ?
A green plant that makes food by photosynthesis. Producers make their own food
What is a consumer ?
Can not make their own food. They must consume other organisms to get the food they need
What is a herbivore ?
Only eats plant material
What is a carnivore ?
Only eats animal material
What is a carnivore ?
Only eats animal material
What is an omnivore
Eats both plant and animal material
What is a predator ?
Hunts other animals for its food supply
What is prey ?
Is hunted by other animals
What is a food chain ?
A relationship where one organism feeds of the previous one and in turn provides food for the next in the series. A food chain always begins with a green plant, each arrow in a food chain show the direction of energy flow.
What is a food web ?
Is a number of interconnecting food chains. An ecosystem normally contains many interconnecting food chains. This more complex relationship, is called a food web.
What does an ecosystem consist of ?
The organisms (the community) living in a particular habitat and the non living components with which the organisms interact.
What is a niche ?
Is a role that an organism plays within its community.
What is a niche made up of ?
The resources an organism needs in its ecosystem, such as light and nutrients availability and its interactions with other organisms in the community.
What biotic and abiotic factors do niches involve ?
Competition, predation and the conditions an organism can tolerate such as temperature.
When does competition take place in ecosystems ?
When resources are in short supply.
What is interspecific competition ?
Takes place amongst individuals of different species for one or a few resources they need.
What is intraspecific competition ?
Takes place amongst individuals of the same species for all the resources they need.
