topic 2 Flashcards
ecology
studies how organisms interact with their environment and other organisms.
biosphere
an ecological system composed of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems.
ecosystem
a dynamic system of biotic and abiotic components that interact with each other through the transfer of energy and the cycling of matter within a specific environment.
population
a group of the same species living in the same area at a specific time and can interbreed.
community
groups of different populations in an area/habitat.
what is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
they recycle nutrients by breaking down organic material.
how much energy is typically transferred between trophic levels?
about 10%.
what is the difference between producers and consumers?
producers: convert energy, eg. (photosynthesis).
consumers: obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
species
group of living organisms sharing common characteristics that interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
dichotomous key
Insects
/ \
Large wings Small or no wings
| / \
Butterfly Very long Shorter rear
rear legs legs
/ \ / \
Antenna in Antenna on Horned Not horned
front of head top of head head head
| | | / \
Grasshopper Cricket Beetle Small eyes Big eyes
| |
Ant Lady bug
biotic factors
living physical factors in an ecosystem affecting an organism. eg. plants, animals, insects, fungi, bacteria etc.
abiotic factors
non-living physical factors in an ecosystem affecting an organism. eg. light, temperature, water (precipitation, currents), soil, mineral nutrients, pH etc.
ecological niche
the role of a species in an ecosystem.
symbiosis
two different species who live together in a close relationship.
name three types of symbiotic relationships.
mutualism, commensalism, parasitism
mutualism
two species interacting with each other and both species benefit.
commensalism
two species interacting with each other and one species benefiting, the other species is unaffected.
parasitism
two species interacting with each other while one species benefits and the other (host species) is harmed.
carrying capacity
the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support.
limiting factor
a factor that restricts population size, such as food availability, light, or space.
j-shaped curve graph
when a population grows exponentially.
s-shaped curve graph
when a population grows until it reaches a stable size based on the carrying capacity.
what is the impact of humans on ecosystems?
humans affect ecosystems through pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, overfishing, and deforestation.
