ecosystems Flashcards
ecological niche
the role a species fulfils in an ecosystem
describe the three oxygen groups yk
aerobes (need oxygen)
anaerobes (survive without oxygen)
facultative anaerobes (can do both)
describe the ranges ig
optiumum is muy perfecto
stress is shit
intolerance es imposible
ingestion
provides the organism with the raw materials crucial for growth
digestion
changes the food into what acc can be like it breaks it down
absorption
allows the body to extract nutrients from the digested food and transport them to the cells for energy and shit
assimilation
like when the food becomes a part of the cell growth development and all
elimination
removing useless waste for the body to beable to funvtion properly
mixotrophs
both produce their own food and make their own ig depending on availability
like the plant that eats flies (venus flytrap)
facultative mixotroph
can switch between heterotroph and autotroph modes depending on the conditions and environment
obligate mixotroph
they need both autotrophic and heterotrophic modes to survive
what does a saprotroph do
they get energy by breaking down or oxidising chemical compounds
adaptations
changes in the body to fit a location
describe the saprotrops: bacteria
secrete enzymes that break down organic matter, breaking them down into small molecules which they later eat
describe the saprotroph: mold
produce enzymes that typically break down complex organic molecules
describe the saprotrophs: fungi
secrete enzymes that break down complex organic compound into simpler forms which thet absorb as nutrients
holozoic nutrition
many single celled organisms (like amoeba) are capable of that
food particles are taken in by engulfment of the substance (endocytosis) and subsequent breakdown & digestion in specialised vesicles
facultative mixotroph
can switch between auto and hetero troph depending on the conditions
obligate mixotroph
they need both auto and hetero troph to survive
thorns as a defensive mechanism
physical barrier- they make it difficult for herbivores to access the plant tissue for feeding
like the acacia tree has sharp thorns along its branches and those scare off large herbivores like giraffes
inflict pain and discomfort to herbivores who try to feed on it
the blackberry bush is an excellent example its stems are covered in tiny needles, like thorns and when animals try to graze on their leaves or berries they get hurt and scared off
some thorns also produce toxins or some unpleasant shit
toxins as adaptations
unpalatable taste or smell- disgusts herbivores from eating thhem and shittttt
digestive system distruptions- like the toxins just fuck up the animals digestive system leading to discomfort pain sickjess death and they know that so they stray away
like the castor bean plant which produces ricin (a highly toxic protein found in the seeds)
think of ways of how predators are adapted to their job
fantastic vision, great hearing abilities, sharp teeth, claws, strong muscles
how are bats adapted to their lives
ginormous ears so their hearing that they rely on a lot is good
sensitive eyes so somehow they can see in pitch black
the whole echolocation thing
thermoregulation
sleeping upside down
adaptations of snakes
poisonous
can swallow a lot (boa contractor and pythons can swallow the whole prey) and yeah
camouflage
heat sensing pit organs
adaptations of bears
muscular large powerful build
strong ahh claws and teeth
an exceptional sense of smell
increeeedible swiming and climbing abilities
intelligent
omnivorous
school of herring
schooling behaviours they swim together tightly and confuse predators like that
they are rlly fast and agile and havr great sensory perception camouflage and counter shading
geckos
camouflage and they can blend into their surroundings hunting in the night and they can stand real still
emergent layer
tallest trees birds insects like korony drzew
canopy layer
flora and fauna like normal tall trees ale not the tallest
understory layer
young herbs shrubs and bushes
forest floor
sciolka lesna humid dark insects and animals
epiphytes
specialised root adaptations (absorb water and nutrients from air and organic matter accumulated on host surfaces) flexible growth habits
ecological niche
vines
climbing mechanisms and abilities and they are super flexible as well
large leaves that easily catch the sunlight or small ones that reduce water loss
they easily allocate resources
lianas
they grow extremely fast
they have long stems
they can alter their growth accordingly to the conditions
storring resources in specialised tissues
uses trees and other means pf vertical support to climb up to the canopy to seek sunlight
allelopathy
when a plant releases chemicals from its roots leaves of flowers to stop other plants from growing nearby
large surface area THA FYCK
they can catch and absorb waaay more sunlight, easier to regulate remperature
easoer to make photosynthesis happen ig??
shade tolerance co
contains more chlorophyll (easier for photosynthesis) maintaining optimal photosynthetic rates at lower light intensities
difference between fundamental and realised niche
fundamental niche is the range of environmental conditions and resources in which a species can exist IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHER SPECIES it is a potential habitat based solely on its physiological capabilities and tolerance limits
realised niche is the actual range of environmental factors and conditions under which a species can survive considering the fact that there are other species like existing there and all
