Quiz #1: Ecology Flashcards
biotic factors
plants and animals, anything living or once living
atom–>biosphere
atom-> molecules -> organelles -> cells -> tissue -> organ -> organ system -> organism -> population -> community -> ecosystem -> biosphere
abiotic factors
sun, wind, temperature, water, rock: non-living: never was living things
detritivore
eats decaying matter
heterotrophs
an organism that eats other plants and animals for its nutrients: consumer
autotroph
an organism that can produce its own food: producer
10% rule and energy pyramid
only 10% of the energy taken in by organism is used for energy. The energy is stored in the new tissues that could be eaten by the consumer.
Energy DECREASES as you move up the pyramid b/c organisms use most of its energy it takes in or loses it through heat, only storing 10% for the next consumer
remaining 90%: used in reactions that relate to characteristics of life, lost as heat, remains unchanged as undigested food waste
saprophytes
an organism that gets nourishment from dead organisms: fungus or bacteria
role of Keystone Species
keep other species in check
specific examples of Keystone species
-wolves at Yellowstone prey on the deer allowing the grass to grow
-sea otters prey on sea urchins allowing kelp to grow
What’s a biome
biomes are dynamic. encompass many ecosystems. climate, vegetation and animal life determine a biome. climate is the number 1 limiting factor. It is influenced by temperature and precipitation
Biodiversity
is the amount of different plants and animals in a biome. It is greatest in wetter and warmer climates
climate +5 influencing factors
long-term prevailing weather conditions.
Factors:
-latitude: distance from equator
-altitude: distance from sea level
-location: relation to ocean or mts.
-temperature
-precipitation
first law of thermodynamics
energy cannot be created or formed: only change form
second law of thermodynamics
every energy transfer/transformation increases the entropy (disorder) of the universe and heat is released
Food chain
transfer of energy in one direction *heat is expelled
energy
the ability to do work
photosynthesis
process of plants making glucose from energy absorbed from the sun
cellular respiration
turn food to chemical energy distributed around the body to support characteristics of living things.
predation
one animal eats another: one benefits one is not. Caterpillar eating leaf: herbivory
mutualism
BOTH benefit, acacia ant (shelter and food), acacia plant (protection)
Parasitism
One benefits other is harmed, parasitic wasp (shelter and protection) growing inside caterpillar (dies eventually)
What are the 7 characteristics of living things?
- organization: made up of cells
- Evolution
3.Homeostasis: maintain a balance (ex. temp and water concentration)
4.Grow and develop - Metabolism: use energy
6.Reproduction - Response to Stimuli
competition
One wins one loses:
interspecific competition: between two species for limited resources: fish and octopus competing for territory
intraspecific competition: between the same species for limited resources: 2 fish for the same territory or food
commensalism
one benefits the other coexists: clownfish (shelter) living in the sea anemone
What is the Goal in Nature?
to maintain the 7 characteristics of living things
food web
complex diagram that shows energy transfer between all organisms in an ecosystem.
-matter is recycled within ecosystems
-energy flows through
