populations and ecosystems Flashcards
what is an ecosystem
a dynamic system made up of communities and all non living factor of the environment
what are population
group of individual species that occupy the same habitats and have same characterisatics and are able to interbreed to produce fertile offsprings
what do all ecosystems contain and dependent on
a carrying capacity which is dependent on abiotic factors and interaction between the organism and the intra, inter specific competition
what is a habitat
place where an organism lives and is categorised ny physical conditions and the other organisms present
what is within each habitat
microclimate which are microhabitats
what is ecological niche
decribes how an organism fits into the environment, refers to where an organism lives and its role and the abiotic and biotic factors required for that organism to survive
why do we use a logarithmic graph for population
when population increase rapidly over a short periodof time - microorganism
how does temperature affect population size
each species have different optimum temperature which best suited to allow them to survive if the temperature varies the enzymes can become denatured
what happens to plants and cold blooded animals as temperature falls
enzymes work slowly so metabolic rate is reduced
how do mammals adapt to temperature change
they are better adapted and can maintain their body temperatures however this requires energy so less energy is used for growth
why is light important in an ecosystem
it is ultimate source of energy , nessecity of life as rate of photosynthesis increases as light increases , so faster plant growth , more seeds produced so more food for animals
why is ph important in an ecosystem
affects the activities of enzymes, ph that varies from optimum can cause denaturation of enzymes
why is water important in an ecosystem
all orgtanisms need water, when water is scarce the organisms have adapted to the shortage of water, also humidity affects the rate of transpiration
