Module 3 - Ecology, Humans, and the Environment Flashcards
Define environmental science.
the dynamic, interdisciplinary study of the interaction of living and non-living parts of the environment, with emphasis on the impact of humans on the environment
Define an ecology
the study of how living things interact with each other and with their environment
Define an ecosystem
a community of organisms and their non-living (abiotic) environment
What is Biotic? What is Abiotic?
Biotic = living
Abiotic = non-living
What is a group of organisms that are the same species?
Population
What is a group of organisms that different species?
Community
What is a group of many organisms that different species and their abiotic environment?
Ecosystem
What is multiple ecosystems?
Biosphere
T/F: There is a huge amount of diversity when looking at different ecosystems.
True
What do Autotrophs do?
provide energy as producers/ able to produce energy
T/F: Without Autotrophs, energy would not be available to other living organisms, and life would not be possible
TRUE
Name two Autotrophs
Photoautotroph and Chemoautotroph
What do Chemoautotroph do?
use inorganic molecules as an energy source
What do Photoautotroph do?
use sunlight as an energy source, and chemosynthetic autotrophs
What is matter? What is it composed of?
Matter is something that occupies space and has mass. All matter is composed of elements.
Matter cycles in ecosystems.
How does energy move in an ecosystem?
Energy flows through ecosystems. Energy enters an ecosystem and will ultimately leave it.
How much energy at one trophic level is actually passed up to the next higher trophic level?
10%
How much energy is lost to heat at each
trophic level and is used by organisms at that
level for metabolism(generates heat), growth, and repair?
90%
What is the study of populations called?
Demography
What is a species distribution pattern?
the distribution of individuals within a habitat at a particular point in time
What are 3 examples of species distributions?
Random, Clumped, and Uniform
What is the carrying capacity?
the maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain over time
What is community?
populations of organisms within a given
environment
What is community ecology?
the study of how populations of organisms in a given environment interact
Species interact through _____-____ ________.
predator-prey interactions
How does camouflage help prey?
it allows them to avoid predators
How does camouflage help predators?
it allows them to find prey
T/F: There is Mechanical and chemical defenses against herbivory.
True
What are the 3 different types of symbiosis?
Commensalism, Mutualism, and Parasitism
What is Commensalism?
a symbiotic relationship where an individual from one species benefits while an individual from another is unaffected
What is Mutualism?
a symbiotic relationship where individuals from both species benefit
What is Parasitism?
a symbiotic relationship where an organism from one species (parasite) benefits while an organism from the other species (host) is harmed
