Niche

Question 1

Ecological niche

Answer 1

A multidimensional summary of tolerances and requirements of a species

Question 2

Fundamental niche

Answer 2

A species has a fundamental niche that it occupies in the absence of any interspecific competition

Question 3

Realised niche

Answer 3

A realised niche is occupied in response to interspecific competition

Question 4

Describe the possible outcome of interspecific competition within a realised niche

Answer 4

Competitive exclusion can occur, where the niches of two species are so similar that one declines to local extinction.

Question 5

Resource partitioning

Answer 5

Species alter their use of the niches to avoid competition, by dividing the resources amongst them.

Question 6

Parasitism

Answer 6

A parasite benefits in terms of nutrients at the expense of the host.

Question 7

Difference between predation and parasitism

Answer 7

The reproductive potential of the parasite is greater than the host.

Question 8

Degenerate parasites

Answer 8

Parasites lacking in structures and organs found in other organisms

Question 9

Endoparasites

Answer 9

Found within the tissue such as tapeworms and sarcocysts

Question 10

Ectoparasites

Answer 10

Found on the surface such as headlice, fleas and ticks