Genetic Info/Variation/Relationships key words Flashcards
Species
A group of organisms sharing similar features which are reproductively isolated from other species and can interbreed to produce a fertile offspring.
Genotype
The genetic composition of an organism.
Genetic diversity
Variation in a species due to differences in the alleles carried by individuals.
Gene pool
The sum of all the alleles in a population.
Gene locus
The position of a gene on a chromosome.
Phenotype
The characteristics expressed by the organism.
Population
A group of organisms all of the same species that occupy a particular area.
Allele
An alternative form of a gene.
Selective advantage
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.
Ecology
The study of how organisms interact with 1 another and their physical environment.
Ecosystem
All the organisms living in a community plus all of the abiotic and biotic factors in the area where they live.
Individual
Make up the population.
Population
All of the organisms of 1 species in a habitat.
Population size = total number.
Community
The population of different species living in the same habitat.
Abiotic factors
Non-living factors that affect an ecosystem.
Biotic factors
Living factors that affect an ecosystem.
Niche
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.
Carrying capacity
The maximum stable population size of a species that an ecosystem can support.
Varies due to biotic and abiotic factors.
Competition
Where 2 or more individuals aim to obtain the same resources when they’re in limited supply.
Intraspecific competition
Competition between the same species for the same resources.
Interspecific competition
Competition between different species for the same resources.
