Energy and Nutrient Relations Flashcards
specialist and generalist
monophagous and polyphagous
photosynthetic autotrophs
synthesise organic molecules using CO2 as a source of carbon and light as energy
photosynthetically active radiation
wavelengths between 400 and 700nm measured by photon flux density (number of photons striking a square metre surface each second)
C3
95% of plants, method of potosynthesis that evolved first. RuBP
C4
uses PEP which has a higher affinity for CO2 (open stomata less)
- more water efficient
CAM
take CO2 at night and close stomata during day
- PEP
- water efficient
chemosynthetic autotrophs
bacteria and archaea
synthesise organic molecules using CO2 as carbon source and inorganic molecules as energy
- prokaryotes
- sulfur-oxidising bacteria near vents on sea floor
- nitrifying bacteria in soils and aquatic environments
heterotrophs
use organic molecules as a source of carbon and an energy source
- herbivores (overcome plant defences)
- detritovores (dead stuff)
- carnivores (nutritionally rich but energetically expensive)
Müllerian mimicry
noxious organisms mimicking other noxious organisms
batesian mimicry
harmless species mimic noxious ones
size-selective predation
select prey based on size (can subdue it)
ecological stoichiometry
study of balance of chemical elements in ecological interactions (like trophic interactions)
energy limitation
the rate at which organisms can take in energy is limited by internal or external constraints
photon flux and photosynthesis response curves
- rate of photosynthesis increases with photosynthetic flux density until it levels off
- lowest max rates in plants from shady environments
food density and animal functional response
relationship between food density and feeding rate
- three shapes of functional response curves
