Module 4 Flashcards
Environment
Both the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) surroundings of an organism.
Biome
Large regional system characterised by a major vegetation type (e.g. desert). Region with similar ecosystems grouped together.
Population
Group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at a particular time.
Niche
The place of a species within a community involving relationships with other species.
Ecosystem
A community together with its environment; any environment containing organisms interacting with each other and the non-living parts of the environment (e.g. rainforest and freshwater pond).
Species
Groups of similar individuals that can reproduce fertile offspring (e.g. humans).
Community
Groups of different populations in an area or habitat.
Habitat
The place where an organism lives.
Ecology
Study of the relationships living organisms have with each other and their environment.
Abiotic selection pressures
- Light
- Temperature
- Water
- Shelter
- Topography
Predator prey
One organism kills and eats the other as prey.
e.g. rabbit and fox
Competition (Interspecific)
Two organisms from different species need the same resources
e.g. kangaroos and cows - grass
Competition (Intraspecific)
Two organisms from the same species need the same resources
e.g. 2 prides of lions challenging for meat
Allelopathy
Plants/trees release chemicals that inhibit the growth of other trees
e.g. Eucalyptus leaves release chemicals that leach into the soil so other trees can’t grow.
Parasitism
One benefits, the other is hindered.
e.g. Fleas and ticks that live on dogs and cats (live on host)
Commensalism
One benefits while the other neither benefits or is to its detriment.
e.g. whales and barnacles
Mutualism
Both organisms benefit.
e.g. shark and remora
Competition in plants
Plants compete for ground space, for sunlight and water.
Many plant species have fast growing seedlings as the tallest quickly spreads its leaves to receive the most sunlight.
Some plants even secrete allopathic chemicals into the soil to inhibit the growth of plants next to them.
What doe abiotic factors show?
provide evidence to show changes in such things as climate, volcanic activity,
atmospheric oxygen, sea levels.
What do biotic factors show?
such as fossils show evolution and type of organisms over geological time
What do igneous rocks show?
tell of past volcanic episodes and can also be used to age-date certain periods in the past.
What do sedimentary rocks show?
often record past depositional environments (e.g deep ocean, shallow shelf, fluvial) and usually contain the most fossils from past ages.
What do metamorphic rocks show?
tell us about plate tectonic movements and how the continents were shoved together and pulled apart.
What is ice core drilling?
Gas bubbles trapped in ice cores can be analysed to give data about the past composition of the Earth’s atmosphere over time.
