the living world Flashcards
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems.
What are the three main components of biodiversity?
The three main components are species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
Define an ecosystem.
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including both biotic and abiotic factors.
What is the significance of keystone species?
Keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, and their removal can lead to significant changes in the ecosystem.
What are trophic levels?
Trophic levels are the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, consisting of producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.
Explain the concept of ecological niche.
An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species has in its environment, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.
What is the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs?
Autotrophs produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, while heterotrophs obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
What is an example of a biotic factor?
An example of a biotic factor is any living organism, such as plants, animals, fungi, or bacteria that affect the ecosystem.
Define carrying capacity.
Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the habitat.
What are invasive species?
Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to a new environment, can cause harm to the ecosystem, economy, or human health.
What is a biome?
A biome is a large geographical area characterized by distinct climate, flora, and fauna, such as forests, deserts, and grasslands.
What are primary producers?
Primary producers are organisms that produce their own food, primarily through photosynthesis, and form the base of the food chain.
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem
Describe commensalism.
Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
What is mutualism?
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.
What is an endemic species?
An endemic species is a species that is native to and found only within a specific geographic area.
Define symbiosis.
Symbiosis is a close and long-term interaction between two different species, which can be mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.
What is parasitism?
Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (the host).
What is an ecosystem service?
Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.
Define habitat fragmentation.
Habitat fragmentation occurs when large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches, affecting species’ survival and biodiversity.