Science Unit A Test Flashcards
(44 cards)
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic things?
Biotic is LIVING
Abiotic is NOT ALIVE and dead
What is the definition of a species?
Organisms that have a similar structure, and can reproduce with each other
What is the definition of a population?
A group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area, and use the same resources
What do the terms community and ecosystem mean, and how do they differ from each other?
Community- Different populations in an area co-existing (ONLY BIOTIC)
Ecosystem- An environment where both biotic things interact with abiotic things (BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC)
How is an organism’s scientific name written?
It’s written with the genus (which is capitalized), and then species name (which is not capitalized)
Ex. Homo sapien
What are the 8 levels of classification of any organism in order?
- Kingdoms
- Phyla
- Subphyla
- Classes
- Orders
- Families
- Genera
- Species
Who was responsible for creating the classification system of an organism?
Carolus Linnaeus
Are organisms more related by their genus name, or by their species name?
Genus name
Where is diversity greatest on land? Why?
Diversity is greatest in TROPICAL regions and near the EQUATOR. This is because of the WARMER and damper environment
Where is diversity greatest in water? Why?
Diversity is greatest in CORAL REEFS, because of the WARMER water. Considered the “AMAZONS OF THE OCEANS”
What do the terms mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism mean? What are they all examples of?
MUTUALISM is when both organisms benefit
PARASITISM is when one organism is benefitted, and the other is harmed
COMMENSALISM is when one organism is benefitted, and the other is not harmed, nor benefitted
They are all the forms of SYMBIOSIS
What is interspecies competiton? Why is it bad? Why is it good?
Interspecies competition is when two or more species need the same resource. It is bad because it limits the size of the competing species, and both are organisms are NEGATIVELY IMPACTED
Interspecies competition is good because it allows the BEST TRAITS to be passed on
What is resource partitioning? How does it affect interspecies competition?
Resource partitioning is the DIVISION OF A RESOURCE among 2 or more co-existing species because the niche of the organism varies
Resource partitioning LESSENS interspecies competition
What is the role of an organism in its environment called?
Niche
What is natural and artificial selection? How do they differ, with examples?
Natural selection is when NATURE decides which organisms live long enough to reproduce
Ex. A cold snap killing off half a bird colony
Artificial selection is when HUMANS breed plants and animals for desired traits
Ex. Humans domesticating modern corn
Why is variation among a species important?
Allows the species to more likely survive ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
What is the difference between heritable and non-heritable characteristics, with examples?
Heritable is INHERITED from parent to offspring
Ex. Eye color, blood type
Non-heritable is NOT INHERITED
Ex. Athleticism, ability to play an instrument
What is the difference between discrete and continuous heritable characteristics? What would height, eye color, blood type, skin color, albino each be considered?
Discrete- Only so many variations (DEFINITE)
Ex. eye color, blood type, albino
Continuous- A range of possible variation
Ex. height, skin color
An example of the environment affecting variation would be…
A plant with a lot of sun will grow green and leafy, whereas one without sun would grow pale and tall, looking for sunlight
Or height, a heritable characteristic, can be affected by our diet (environment)
Is variation caused by interactions with the environment heritable?
No
What does the expression of a trait/variation depend on?
GENETICS/ deoxyribonucleic acid, or the passing down of traits from parent to offspring/ reproduction
What are some examples of types of variation with 2 possible outcomes?
Ear lobes, tongue rolling, hair-line, wrist-cords, thumb shape
What are the advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction?
Advantages- More VARIATION
Disadvantages- Takes a lot of TIME and ENERGY for minimal offspring
What are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction?
Advantages- MANY IDENTICAL INDIVIDUALS quickly, with minimal time and energy input
Disadvantages- NO VARIATION, identical copies
