Interactions within ecosystems Flashcards
What are structural adaptations?
Physical characteristics of an organism that help it survive in its habitat.
What are behaviuoral adaptations?
Behavioural adaptations of an organism that allow it to survive in it habitat.
Define population.
Population is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same habitat.
Define community.
Different populations of organisms that live and interact with one another in a particular habitat.
Define ecosystem.
The community of living organisms and the physical factors they interact with.
What are examples of structural adaptations?
waxy leaves to prevent water loss, thick coat of fur to keep one warm
What are examples of behavioural adaptations?
shedding of leaves in autumn to prevent water loss during winter, burrowing into sand to escape from heat and predators.
Define mutualism.
A relationship in which two or more organisms benefit one another.
Define parasitism.
A relationship in which one organism, the parasite benefits at the expense of another, the host.
Define trophic level.
A trophic level is the feeding position of an organism in a food chain.
Describe the non-cyclical of energy in a food chain.
Not all energy is passed from one trophic level to the next. 90% of the energy may be lost as heat during respiration or in the form of faeces. The remaining 10% is used to provide energy for metabolic needs or stored. This energy is transferred when the organism is consumed by another at the next trophic level. Hence, amount of energy transferred decreases for organisms at tee next trophic level as we move along the food chain. Heat energy that is lost into the surroundings by each organism in the food chain or food web cannot be reused by producers for photosynthesis. Hence, we say that the flow of energy in an ecosystem is non-cyclical.
