Review Sheet 8: Ecology Flashcards
Mutualism
A type of symbiosis in which both partners gain from the association and cannot survive without it
Commensalism
Living on or within another organism without benefiting or harming the other organism.
Cooperation
A positive but not obligatory interaction between two different organisms
Parasitism
a type of symbiosis in which one organism benefits from the other and the host is usually harmed.
Symbiosis
the living together or close association of two dissimilar organisms
predation
NOM NOM NOM
Amenalism
a relationship in which the product of one organism has a negative effect on another organism.
Competition
An interaction between two organisms attempting to use the same resources
2 parts of a lichen
Phycobiont and Mycobiont (algal-cynanobacterial/fungus)
Genomic reduction
Once a relationship is established, an organism may ‘discard’ unneeded parts of the genome.
Molecules in Carbon Cycle
C02, Organic C, and CH4
Molecules in Sulfur Cycle
H2S, Sulfite, Sulfate, Organic Sulfur
Molecules in Nitrogen Cycle
N2 (g), Ammonium, Nitrite, Nitrate, Organic N
Noble Metals
Pretty inert. Can have cycles in some bacteria.
Organometals
can form organic bonds, incorporate into organic molecules (Zn, Mn, for example)
Biofilms
Microbes build up to a point where you can see microbes growing in layers.
Simple Biofilm
1 layer
Complex Biofilm
Many types bacteria in its own layer
Microbial Mat
Biofilm thick enough to see. All mixed up.
(See also: “What’s growing in my shower?”
Counting bacteria via Culturing: Advantage/Disadvantage
Pro: You know its alive
Con: Not in its normal environment, may not grow in a pure culture
Complex assemblage
Complex symbiotic relationships growing together as 1 organism.
Counting bacteria with Counting Pro/Con
Pro- Count all cells
Con- Simple techniques don’t show if organisms are alive or dead, you miss spores, and there are also nondiscrete organisms (like empty hyphae
Winogradsky Column
Column that shows layers of aquatic system and how light and oxygen affects it.
Winogradsky Column Order (Top to bottom)
- Water – Diatoms and Cyanobacteria
- O2 dominated mud – Algae and aerobic sulfur oxidizing
- Rust colored – Photoheterotrophs
- Red zone – Purple Sulfur Bacteria
- Green Zone – Green Sulfur bacteria
- Anoxic H2S Zone (black) – Sulfur reduced.
