Genetic Info/Variation/Relationships key words

Question 1

Species

Answer 1

A group of organisms sharing similar features which are reproductively isolated from other species and can interbreed to produce a fertile offspring.

Question 2

Genotype

Answer 2

The genetic composition of an organism.

Question 3

Genetic diversity

Answer 3

Variation in a species due to differences in the alleles carried by individuals.

Question 4

Gene pool

Answer 4

The sum of all the alleles in a population.

Question 5

Gene locus

Answer 5

The position of a gene on a chromosome.

Question 6

Phenotype

Answer 6

The characteristics expressed by the organism.

Question 7

Population

Answer 7

A group of organisms all of the same species that occupy a particular area.

Question 8

Allele

Answer 8

An alternative form of a gene.

Question 9

Selective advantage

Answer 9

Members of a species are said to have a ‘selective advantage’ if they have 1 or more characteristics that make them better adapted to an environment than other members of the species.

Question 10

Ecology

Answer 10

The study of how organisms interact with 1 another and their physical environment.

Question 11

Ecosystem

Answer 11

All the organisms living in a community plus all of the abiotic and biotic factors in the area where they live.

Question 12

Individual

Answer 12

Make up the population.

Question 13

Population

Answer 13

All of the organisms of 1 species in a habitat.

Population size = total number.

Question 14

Community

Answer 14

The population of different species living in the same habitat.

Question 15

Abiotic factors

Answer 15

Non-living factors that affect an ecosystem.

Question 16

Biotic factors

Answer 16

Living factors that affect an ecosystem.

Question 17

Niche

Answer 17

The role of a species within its habitat.
For example, what it eats, where and when it feeds.
Only 1 species can occupy a niche at a time.

Question 18

Carrying capacity

Answer 18

The maximum stable population size of a species that an ecosystem can support.
Varies due to biotic and abiotic factors.

Question 19

Competition

Answer 19

Where 2 or more individuals aim to obtain the same resources when they’re in limited supply.

Question 20

Intraspecific competition

Answer 20

Competition between the same species for the same resources.

Question 21

Interspecific competition

Answer 21

Competition between different species for the same resources.