Species and Ecosystems (4.1) Flashcards
Ecology
Species
A group of organisms that can inter-breed and produce fertile offspring.
Community
A group of populations living and interacting with each other in a habitat.
Ecosystem
A community and its abiotic (non-living) environment.
Biosphere
A total of all areas where living things are found; including the deep ocean and the lower part of the atmosphere. The biosphere is a relatively thin layer associated with the surface of the Earth.
Population
A group of organisms of the SAME species living in the SAME area at the SAME time that are capable of inter-breeding.
Biomes
Regions of the world with similar climates (weather/temperature), animals and plants.
A Species is made up of organisms that:
- Possess similar physiological, morphological and behavioural characteristics.
- Are capable of inter-breeding and producing fertile offspring.
- Are genetically distinct from one another.
- Share a common phylogeny (evolutionary history).
Species: Exceptions to the definition
- The concept of a species being able to inter-breed does not apply to extinct forms so they are instead classified on morphological grounds.
- Asexually reproducing organisms do not breed with each other so are classified on appearance and biochemical similarities.
Biotic Factors
The living environment eg. predators, parasites, human influence, disease
Abiotic Factors
Physical/chemical (non-living) factors of an environment eg. humidity, wind, temperature, soil type, salinity, carbon dioxide levels
Environment
The biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that affect organisms.
Habitat
The environment where an individual of a certain type of species can usually be found. The place where an organism lives.
Hybrids
Organisms combined from two different species. Hybrids are usually infertile however there are some exceptions.
It is also important to note the plant species hybridize more easily than animal species so the resulting hybrids are more likely to be fertile.
Feeding Methods: Detritivore
Ingest non-living organic matter.
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from detritus (non-living organic matter, dead plants and animals including faeces) by internal digestion. Detritivores are important decomposers in the ecosystem as they are used for a source of food by consumers.
Examples of Detritivores: are earthworms and woodlice.
Feeding Methods: Saprotroph
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms by external digestion eg. by secreting digestive enzymes onto the matter, then absorbing the organic compounds.
Examples of Saprotrophs: Saprophytic bacteria, fungi and protozoa.
Feeding Methods: Consumers
Consumers ingest organic matter that is living or has recently been killed.
- Primary Consumers eat producers. Examples: Herbivores
- Secondary Consumers eat other consumers. Examples: Carnivores and omnivores.
Scavengers are a type of consumer. They don’t tend to kill but rather, feed on the matter other species have killed. Examples: Vultures and hyenas.
Feeding Methods: Autotroph
Autotrophs are producers.
An organism that synthesises its organic molecules from simple inorganic substances (eg. carbon dioxide or nitrates) using light or chemical energy.
Examples: algae and grass.
Feeding Methods: Heterotroph
An organism which obtains organic molecules from other organisms. “other source feeding”
They feed on living organisms by ingestion.
Examples: cows, mice and whales.
Feeding Methods: Decomposers
Heterotrophs that derive energy from non-living/dead organic matter. There are two types of decomposers: detritivores and saprotrophs. Decomposers are good sources of energy for other consumers and are also useful for cycling inorganic chemicals such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
Mescocosm
A small area where parts of the natural environment are kept under controlled conditions.
Morphology
The form or structure of organisms
Nutrient Cycling
The supply of inorganic nutrients is finite and is in limited supply so they are recycled.
*Diagram
