Science Unit 1: Ecology Flashcards
Claim
It’s one sentence that answers and restates the question without “because”
Evidence
Mostly one sentence that includes facts from a reliable source (refer to source) and without “because”
Reasoning
2 to 3 sentences that explains the evidence and how it connects to the claim
CER Difference
Claim restates and answers the question. Evidence helps support the claim with pieces of evidence from a reliable source, and reasoning restates the claim
Ecology
The study of how organisms interact with each other and with their environment
EXAMPLES: The Biological and Physical environment
Abiotic factors
Is the non-living part of an organisms habitat
EXAMPLES: Sunlight, soil, rocks, oxygen, and water
Biotic factors
Living or once living parts of an environment
EXAMPLES: Animals and plants
Objective observation
Objective observations are true facts
EXAMPLE: This pencil is 7 inches long
Subjective observation
Subjective statements are opinions
EXAMPLES: This pencil is very sharp
Environment
All the influence, including biotic and abiotic factors, which affect living things
EXAMPLES: A tree, plants, sunlight, water, temperature, and animals
Atmosphere
Layers of gas(es) that surround a planet
EXAMPLES: Air or gases in a greenhouse
Organism
One of any living thing
EXAMPLES: One butterfly
Species
Is a group of organisms that can mate with each other and reproduce
EXAMPLES: Butterflies
Population
All the members of one species living in a particular area
EXAMPLES: The butterfly population
Community
All the living parts in an ecosystem
EXAMPLES: Butterflies, plants, squirrels, and trees
Ecosystem
The community of organisms that live in a particular area, along with their non-living parts of the environment (biotic + abiotic)
EXAMPLES: Butterflies, plants, squirrels, trees, water, air, sunlight, and temperature
Biosphere
The part of the Earth where organisms live
EXAMPLES: All the organisms in the world INCLUDING abiotic factors
Carnivore
An organism that only eats animals
TEETH: Canines, not well developed incisors, and sharp molars
Omnivore
An organism that eats both plants and animals
TEETH: All types of teeth (Canines, molars, and incisors)
Herbivore
An organism that only eats plants
TEETH: Well developed incisors and molars
Insectivore
An organism that eats insects
TEETH: None
Niche
The role of an organism in it’s habitat
Incisors
Are used to remove a part from a whole
- Omnivores, small for carnivores, herbivores
Canines
Are used to rip and tear flesh (meat)
- Meat eaters (carnivores and omnivores)
Molars
Are used to grind food into smaller pieces
- Carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores
Predator
Preys on other animals
- Can be carnivores and omnivores
Prey
An organism that is hunted or killed by another (predators) for food
- Can be carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores
Primary consumer
Eats producers
- Can be herbivores, omnivores
Secondary consumer
Eats primary consumers
- Can be omnivores, carnivores, or insectivores
Producer
Organisms that make their own food
- Grass, daisy, raspberry bush, green plants
Consumer
Organisms that must search for food
- Rabbits, humans, crabs
Decomposer
Organisms that break down the wastes or remains of organisms
- Mold, bacteria, yeast, fungi, earthworms
Habitat
An environment that provides the things a specific organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce
- Forest habitat with mushrooms and wookpeckers
Scavenger
Eats animals that have died or have been killed by other animals
- Vultures, coyotes, hyenas
Carrying capacity
The largest amount of a population that can be supported by an area long term
Limiting factors
Conditions in the environment that limit where an organism can live
CC + LF Relationship
The relationship between the two is that the carrying capacity depends on the limiting factors. The less there is of limiting factors, the carrying capacity will decrease into something else
Food chains
A representation of one potential feeding relationship in an ecosystem
