PSEC Glossary Flashcards
Define
Define the term Abiotic Factors
Non-living elements of an ecosystem, such as climate, temperature, water, and soil type.
What is Alfred Russel-Wallace known for
-(1823-1913)
-work on natural selection
-collecting specimens and researching in the Malay Archipelago in 1858
-The paper dealt with environmental impacts and the resulting divergence (or evolution) of species – a theory similar to, but not the same as, Darwin’s own ‘natural selection’
define Artificial Selection/ selective breeding
the human selection of individual with desirable traits
define Biomass
The dry mass of an organism.
what is a Biome
A major ecological community of organisms adapted to a particular climatic or environmental condition on a large geographic area in which they occur.
define Biotic Factors
Living elements of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals. (flora and fauna)
definenBreed
A stock of animals or plants within a species having a distinctive appearance and typically having been developed through artificial selection to enhance certain physical/anatomical characteristics.
what is a Bycatch
Fish (or other marine animals) caught unintentionally during fishing, eg dolphins in tuna nets
what is “Carrying Capacity”
Carrying capacity is the maximum number of organisms that an ecosystem can sustainably support.
what is a Carnivore
an animal (such as a dog, fox, crocodile, or shark) that feeds primarily or exclusively on animal matter
what did Charles Darwin do
- 1809-1882
-developed a theory of evolution based on natural selection
-1831, he embarked on a five-year voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle
-his studies of various plants and animals led him to formulate his theories.
-In 1859, he published his landmark book, On the Origin of Species.
what is Co-Evolution
is the evolution of two or more species which reciprocally affect each other. A classic arms race analogy. For example, A Cheetah and a Gazelle.
define Commensalism
A relationship between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm.
what is a Community
A group of organisms of different species occupying a particular area, usually interacting with each other
E.g A woodland community would include plants, animals, fungi, micro-organisms.
what is a Consumer
An organism that obtains its energy by eating other organisms.
define Convergent Evolution
is the process whereby organisms very distantly related (For example in different taxonomic classes) evolve similar traits as a result of having a similar lifestyle.
exp. the independent evolution of the wing in birds, mammals and insects to enable flight.
define Parallel Evolution
organisms not closely related evolve similar adaptations as they live in similar environments or ecological niches
(e.g Tenrec, Hedgehog, Echidna and Porcupine)
what is a Decomposer
An organism which obtains its nutrition by feeding on dead and decaying organic matter converting into simpler inorganic materials (e.g elements such as carbon, phosphorous etc…)
what is a Detritivore
heterotrophic organism, which obtains its nutrition by feeding on detritus.
define Deme
A locally interbreeding group of individuals within a geographic population.
what are Density dependent factors
include disease, competition, and predation and increases as a population becomes increasingly dense. (More individuals per unit area. )
define Density independent factors
Controls a population irrespective of population density. (e.g Abiotic - Light, Temperature, Humidity)
what isDispersal
when a plant, animal, or other organism relocates for breeding and/or growing purpose
Example: Plants have different dispersal methods
(e.g Wind, Animal, Water, Gravity, Ballistic)
What is Dispersion and define the 3 types
How an organism is distributed spatially.
Uniform means that the population is evenly spaced
Random indicates random spacing
Clumped means that the population is distributed in clusters
define Divergent Evolution
groups from the same common ancestor evolve and accumulate differences, resulting in the formation of new species
eg. finches in the Galapagos (Darwin’s finches)
what is a Domain
the highest taxonomic rank
above the kingdom level.
three domains of life, the Archaea, the Bacteria, and the Eukarya
define Ecosystem
All living organisms (biotic factors) in an area as well as its physical environment (abiotic factors) functioning together as a unit
what is an Ecological Pyramid
Graphical/Visual representation of trophic levels
define Emigration
Emigration means an animal leaves its home because the habitat is no longer ideal for them and they need to find a more suitable environment.
what is an Enzyme
A protein which catalyses or speeds up a chemical reaction.
what is Faeces (haha)
Waste matter from the bowels.
define Fecundity
the maximum potential reproductive output of an individual (generally females) based on the number of gametes (sex cells)
name the Five Kingdoms
animals, plants, fungi, protists and monera (Bacteria)
what is a Food Chain
A sequence of feeding relationships between organisms, showing which organisms eat what and the movement of energy through trophic levels.
define Fragmentation
a process by which large and contiguous habitats get divided into smaller, isolated patches of habitats.
what is a Generalist
A generalist species can thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and eat a variety of foods.
They are generally adaptable and able to exploit new and/or disturbed environment
Often tolerate high levels of competition
what is Genetic variability
The amount of genetic diversity in a population. Wildlife populations with high genetic diversity are described as heterogenous and are generally ‘healthier’ and robust. Populations with low genetic variability are described as homogenous and are generally ‘less healthy’ and more prone to disease and extinction.
who was Gregor Mendel
1822-1884
discovered the basic principles of heredity through experiments
found that the inheritance of certain traits in pea plants follows particular patterns, becoming the foundation of modern genetics and leading to the study of heredity
what is a Herbivore
An animal that feeds mainly or only on plants. In a food chain, herbivores are primary consumers
define Immigration
new organisms joining or entering a different population.
what is Interspecific competition
The competition which occurs between organisms of different species for a common resource.
what is Intraspecific competition
The competition between organisms within the same species.
define life processes
The key reactions that all living organisms complete.
define Metapopulation
A regional group of connected populations of a species including patches of suitable habitat that may at times contain individuals.
define Mortality
is the death rate within a population.
what is Natality
is the birth rate within a population.
what is Natural Selection
a process where organisms that are better adapted to an environment will survive and reproduce.
what is a Niche
the role an organism plays in a community.
species’ niche encompasses both the physical and environmental conditions it requires and the interactions it has with other species
what is an Omnivore
an organism that eats plants and animals
define Parasitism
a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives on (Ecto) or inside (Endo) another organism, the parasite receives a benefit at the expense of the host.
what is Parasitoidism
An organism that lives in close association with its host at the host’s expense, eventually resulting in the death
define Phenology
the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals from year to year, such as flowering of plants, emergence of insects and migration of birds
what is Photosynthesis
A chemical process used by plants to make glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, using light energy
define Population
The number of individuals of the same species that live in a particular geographic area at the same time
what is Population Density
the number of individuals per unit area or volume.
what is Predation
a biological interaction where one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey
what is a Primary consumer
an organism that eats a producer. A herbivore.
what is a Producer
Plants that begin food chains by making energy from carbon dioxide and water.
what are the features of an r-Strategist
Live in unstable environments
erratic and controlled populations by density independent factors
often experience high levels of mortality but are able to recover their populations rapidly
high reproductive rates.
small
many “cheap” offspring
short life expectancy
what are the features of K-Strategists
stable environments
numbers fluctuate around or near to the carrying capacity
population controlled by density-dependent factors and slow to increase
slower reproductive rate
large
few “expensive offspring”
long life expectancy
define Race
A geographically isolated breeding population that shares certain physical characteristics in higher frequencies than other populations of the same species
what is Respiration (Aerobic)
takes place inside living cells, which uses glucose and oxygen to release the energy that organisms need to live.
Carbon dioxide is a by-product of respiration
what is Respiration (Anaerobic)
Does not need oxygen.
It is the release of a relatively small amount of energy in cells by the breakdown of food substances in the absence of oxygen.
what is a Secondary consumer
An organism that obtains its energy by eating the primary consumer.
what is Sexual Selection
natural selection through preference by one sex for certain characteristics in individuals of the other sex.
what is a Specialist species
Specialist species can thrive only on a narrow range of environmental conditions and has a limited diet
tend to experience low levels of interspecific competition.
what is Speciation
The formation of new biological species. This can be thought of as the result of evolution.
define Species
A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes with one another.
The species is the principal natural taxonomic unit, ranking below a genus and denoted by a binomial name.
define Sub-Species
A subdivision of a species, usually based on geographic distribution/isolation.
define Succession
the gradual process by which plant communities change and develop over time. Nothing remains the same and habitats are constantly changing.
what is Primary succession
the series of community changes (Seral stages) which occur on an entirely new habitat which has never been colonised before.
For example, a new volcanic island
Eventually, through natural development, a Climatic climax community will be reached.
what is Secondary succession
the series of community changes (Seral stages) which take place on a previously colonised (used), but disturbed or damaged habitat.
For example, after felling trees in a woodland
Over time a Plagio-climax community will develop
define Survivorship curves
graphs that show what fraction of a population survives from one age to the next
what is a type I survivorship curve
individuals that have low mortality when young but have a rapid decline in the number of individuals surviving into late life.
Humans are a good example of a Type I species.
what is a Type II survivorship curve
organisms die more or less equally at each age interval
Birds tend to be type II
what is a Type III survivorship curve
very high mortality among the young but flattens out as those individuals who reach maturity survive for a relatively longer time
Small Mammals, Fish and Invertebrates are good examples.
define Symbiosis/Mutualism
A relationship between two different organisms where both receive benefit.
what is Taxonomy
Classification of living organisms.
what are Trophic Levels
the trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food web
e.g Primary Producer, Primary Consumer, Secondary Consumer, Tertiary Consumer, Apex Predator, Detritivores, Decomposers
what is Urea
A nitrogenous waste product resulting from the breakdown of proteins. It is excreted in urine.
