T4.1: Species, Communities and Ecosystems

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

The study of relationships between living organisms and between organisms and their environment.

Question 2

Species

Answer 2

A group of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Offspring of 2 different species is called a hybrid

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

A group of organisms of the same species who live in the same area at the same time.

Members of the same species may be isolated in a seperate population.

Question 4

Communities

Answer 4

A group of populations living and interacting with eachother in an area

Formed by populations of different species living together/interacting

Question 5

Ecosystem

Answer 5

The communities of organisms in an area and its interactions with the abiotic environment

Question 6

Abiotic factors

Answer 6

Non-living components of the environment (hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere)

Question 7

Abiotic factor example

Answer 7

Light, heat, minerals, oxygen, humidity

Question 8

Biotic factors

Answer 8

Living components of the environment (biosphere)

Question 9

Biotic factor example

Answer 9

Plants, fungi, animals, protists, bacteria, kylie boy perry

Question 10

Autotrophs

Answer 10

• Organisms capable of making their own organic molecules as a food source
• Make organic molecules from simple inorganic substances (CO2)
• Involves photosynthesis

Question 11

Heterotrophs

Answer 11

• Cannot make food from inorganic matter
• must obtain organic molecules from other organisms
• get their chemical energy from other organisms

Question 12

Consumers

Answer 12

Feed on living things by ingestion
Ex: Humans, birds, cats, dogs

Question 13

Detritivores

Answer 13

• Obtain organic nutrients from detritus (internal digestion)
• Eat dead leaves, feces, or carcasses
• Many bottom feeders in rivers, lakes, and oceans are detritvores
  Ex: earthworms, wood lice, dung beetles

Question 14

Saprotrophs

Answer 14

• Obtains organic nutrients from dead organic matter by external digestion (secretes digestive enzymes)
• Plays an important role in the decay of dead organic materials
  Ex: Mushrooms, mold, some bacteria

Question 15

Mesocosm

Answer 15

An experimental tool that brings a small part of the natural environment under controlled conditions
* can be open or sealed
* aquatic are more likely to be more successful