Principles of ecology Flashcards
what is ecology
ecology is the study off the interaction between groups of organisms and their environment
what is ecosystem
the study of organisms and their environment
what is a habitat
habitat is where an organism lives
what are the two environmental factors
biotic factors (living) / abiotic (non living)
examples of biotic factors and what is it
it is a living part of the environment
competition / predation / parasitism / pollination / seed dispersal
examples of abiotic factors and what is it
it is a non living factor such as soil
climatic / edaphic / aquatic factors
what are herbivores
carnivores
animals that eat plants only (primary consumers)
animals that eat other animals (secondary/ tertiary consumers)
what is a food chain
food chain its the feeding relationship between organisms through which energy is transferred
what are producers
consumers
they. make their own food using energy from the sun
either eat plants or eat animals for food
what is a food web
a number of interconnected food chains
why is nitrogen turning into nitrate beneficial
plants can absorb nitrate
4 types of bacteria involved in nitrogen cycle
nitrogen-fixing bacteria / decay bacteria / nitrifying bacteria / gentrifying bacteria
functions of nitrogen-fixing bacteria
decay bacteria
nitrifying bacteria
denitrifying bacteria
convert atmosperic nitrogen into nitrates
break down of dead animals and plants to release ammonia
converts ammonia into nitrates
converts nitrates into nitrogen gas
role of animals in nitrogen cycle
consumers / they die and decay
what does the tern niche mean
the functional role of an organism
