Life on earth Flashcards
Ecosystem
A particular area, including all the living things and their non-living surroundings.
Biodiversity
The variety of life forms in a particular area. The higher the better, this makes food webs more stable.
Community
All the living things within a particular ecosystem. Made up of many different populations.
Population
All of the organisms of a single species living in a ecosystem.
Resources
All the things needed by an organism or population for it to survive. Examples might include water, food, nest building sites ect
Parasitism
A relationship between two organisms where one benefits or lives off the other-with a certain amount of disadvantages to the host.
Competition
When two organisms or species need the same limited resource.
Species
Organisms of a particular type, that can interbreed to produce young which are fertile.
Interspecific competition
The interaction of individuals of different species for one or a few of the resources they require.
Intraspecific competition
The interaction between organisms of the same species when both require the same limited resources.
Food web
A diagram showing interconnected food chains
Niche
The role that an organism plays within a community.
Producers
Organisms which make food for all the organisms in the ecosystem, are always at the start of the food chains/webs. Usually a plant that photosynthesis.
Food chain
A diagram showing a series of organisms each dependant kn the previous as a food source- the arrow shows the direction of energy transfer.
Carnivore
An animal that eats only animal material.
