Ecosystems Flashcards
Define a species
A group of similar organisms that can interbreed with each other to produce fertile young
For two organisms to be a member of the same species, what must they have?
Similar body structures, must be able to produce fertile young & their young must be able to produce young themselves
Define habitat
The place where an organism lives
Define population
The total number of organisms of the same species living in the same place
Define ecosystem
An ecosystem consists of all the organisms living in a particular are and the non living components with which they interact
List 3 examples of ecosystems
- rainforest
- artic tundra
- desert
Define community
A community is made up of all the populations of different organisms living together in an ecosystem
Define biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation that exists among all living organisms on earth
What is the different in high and low biodiversity?
Ecosystems with high biodiversity have many different species and ecosystems with low biodiversity have few species
What area has high levels of biodiversity?
Coral reef
What area has low levels of biodiversity?
Open ocean
Define niche
The role that an organism plays within a community
List 4 factors a niche is involved in
- nutrient availability
- light
- competition
- temperature
What is the source of energy for all organisms?
Sun
How is life on earth maintained?
Light energy from the sun is trapped by chlorophyll in green plants
