Ecosystems Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Heterotroph

A

An organism that obtains its carbon and energy from other organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Autotroph

A

An organism that manufactures its own food from simple molecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Species

A

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Habitat

A

The part of the environment in which an organism resides (stream or grassland)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Carbon Cycle

A

The biogeochemical cycle in which carbon is exchanged amongst the atmosphere
and the biosphere of Earth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Decomposer

A

An organism that feeds on decaying matter (detritus) and returns important
nutrients back into the ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Herbivore

A

An organism that feeds exclusively on plant materials

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Population

A

Number of organisms of the same species living together in a group at a particular place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Physiological adaptations

A

Adaptations which allow an animal or plant a better chance of survival by altering its
interior biochemical processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Producer

A

An organism occupying the first trophic level. Gains energy via photosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Construction of a scientific name

A

genus + species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Pre-zygotic mechanisms

A

Reproductive isolating mechanisms which prevent fertilisation of gametes from
occurring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Post-zygotic mechanisms

A

Reproductive isolating mechanisms which allow gametes to be fertilised but prevent
the offspring from surviving or reproducing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Structural adaptations

A

Adaptations which allow an animal or plant a better chance of survival by altering its
exterior shape

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Structural adaptations

A

Adaptations which allow an animal or plant a better chance of survival by altering its
exterior shape

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Primary succession

A

The first development of life in a newly exposed area of land

16
Q

Secondary succession

A

Regeneration of a previously developed ecosystem after a natural disaster or
catastrophic event which has left the soil intact

16
Q

Parasitism

A

One benefits and one suffers

17
Q

Community

A

A naturally occurring group of organisms of different types living within the same
environment and interacting together.

18
Q

Predation

A

One eats the other

19
Q

Mutualism

A

Both benefits

20
Q

Commensalism

A

One benefits and one is neutral

21
Q

Nitrogen Cycle

A

The biogeochemical cycle involving conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into
ammonia and conversion of ammonia into nitrates and nitrites by bacteria

22
Q

Zonation

A

A spatial change in the distribution of species caused by variation of the environment