Topic 2

Question 1

ecosystems

Answer 1

made up of organisms and physical environment and the interactions between living/non-living components within the,

Question 2

species

Answer 2

a group of organisms sharing common characteristics that interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Question 3

population

Answer 3

a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time, which are capable of interbreeding

Question 4

habitat

Answer 4

environment in which a species normally lives in

Question 5

niche

Answer 5

describes a particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources to which an organism or population responds

Question 6

realized niche

Answer 6

the actual conditions and resources in which a a species exists due to biotic interactions

Question 7

fundamental niche

Answer 7

full range of conditions and resources on which a species could survive and reproduce

Question 8

abiotic factors

Answer 8

non-living physical factors that influence the organisms and ecosystem
e.g. temperature, sunlight, pH, salinity

Question 9

biotic factors

Answer 9

are the living components of an ecosystem;
organisms, their interactions, or their waste
e.g. plants, trees

Question 10

limiting factors

Answer 10

factors which slow down the growth of a population as it reaches its carrying capacity

Question 11

carrying capacity (k)

Answer 11

maximum number of a species or ‘load’ that can be sustainably supported by a given area