Topic 4 Flashcards
What are species ?
They are a group of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile offspring
Are members of species isolated
Yes, they tend to be reproductively isolated in separate populations.
Name methods of nutrition that species use
They use autotrophic or heterophobic methods, very few species have both
What is a heterotroph?
Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food, instead relying on nutrition from other sources
(on the food chain they are mainly secondary and tertiary sources )
What is a Consumer?
A consumer is a heterotroph that feeds on living organisms by ingestion
What is a detritivore?
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms
What is a Detritivore ?
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms by internal digestion
What is a Saprotroph ?
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms by external digestion
Define the term population
They are members of the same species that live in same area at the same time. Organisms in a population are interbreeding
What is a Community ?
Populations of different species living together and interacting with each other in the same space and time
What is a Eco- system ?
A ecosystem is the biotic community and its interactions with the abiotic environment
What is the Nutrient Cycling ?
Chemical elements can be endlessly recycled
Carbon Nitrogen Phosphorus
What is sustainability ?
A capacity of ecosystems to maintain their essential functions and processes and retain their full biodiversity in full measure over long term
