Honor Bio 3.1 Flashcards
What is a niche?
A niche is the role or function of an organism or species within its environment, including its use of resources, and its relationships with other species.
What is a realized niche?
The actual conditions and resources a species uses after interactions with other species (such as competition) are taken into account.
What is a fundamental niche?
The full range of environmental conditions (both biotic and abiotic) under which a species can survive and reproduce.
What is mutualism?
A type of interaction between species where both species benefit from the relationship. Example: bees and flowering plants.
What is commensalism?
A relationship between two species where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Example: barnacles attaching to whales.
What is parasitism?
A relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host), which is harmed. Example: ticks on mammals.
What is predation?
A relationship where one species (the predator) kills and eats another species (the prey). Example: lions hunting zebras.
What is herbivory?
A type of predation where an organism (herbivore) feeds on plants. Example: cows grazing on grass.
What is the difference between facultative and obligatory relationships?
Facultative relationships are beneficial but not essential for survival, while obligatory relationships are necessary for the survival of one or both species.
What is likely to happen if the niches of two species overlap a little?
If niches overlap slightly, the species might coexist through resource partitioning, where they utilize different parts of the same resource.
What is likely to happen if the niches of two species overlap a lot?
If niches overlap significantly, strong competition will occur, potentially leading to competitive exclusion, where one species outcompetes and excludes the other.
How can niche partitioning increase the biodiversity of a community?
Niche partitioning allows multiple species to coexist by minimizing direct competition. Species may divide resources by utilizing different times, spaces, or methods to obtain them, increasing biodiversity.
What are some ways that species can partition their niches?
Spatial partitioning (different areas)
Temporal partitioning (active at different times)
Dietary partitioning (eating different types of food)
Behavioral partitioning (using different strategies for resource acquisition)Compare and contrast different interspecies interactions. Give examples of each type.
Compare and contrast different interspecies interactions. Give examples of each type.
Mutualism: Both species benefit. Example: bees pollinating flowers.
Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is unaffected. Example: remoras hitching a ride on sharks.
Parasitism: One species benefits, the other is harmed. Example: fleas on dogs.
Predation: One species benefits by consuming another. Example: owls hunting mice.
Herbivory: An organism eats plants. Example: caterpillars feeding on leaves.
