Unit 2 Flashcards
species
group of organisms sharing common characteristics that interbreed and produce fertile offspring
habitat
environment in which a species normally lives
niche
particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources to which an organism or population responds
population
a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time and capable of interbreeding
parasitism
the host provides a habitat and food for the bacteria, but in return, the bacteria cause disease in the host
competition
a common demand by two or more organisms upon a limited supply of a resource
predation
one species feeds on another which enhances fitness of predator but reduces fitness of prey
herbivory
the act of eating plants
mutualism
a type of symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit from the relationship
different interactions between organisms
the interactions should be understood in terms the influences each species has on the population dynamics of others, and upon the carrying capacity of others’ environment.
eg: mutualism, parasitism, predation, competition
difference between fundamental and realised niche
fundamental: full range of conditions and resources in which a species could survive and reproduce
realised: actual range of conditions and resources in which a species exists due to its biotic interactions such as competition and predation
difference between abiotic and biotic factors
Biotic factors are living things within an ecosystem; such as plants, animals, and bacteria, while abiotic are non-living components; such as water, soil and atmosphere
what does an s curve represent
In an environment where resources become limited, populations exhibit a pattern of growth called logistic growth. A logistic growth pattern (S curve) occurs when environmental pressures slow the rate of growth.
what does a j curve represent
J curve can be defined as the j shaped growth curve that graphically represents a situation in a new environment where the population density of an organism increases at an exponential rate.
the impact of limiting factors on population growth
slowing of population growth as it approaches the carrying capacity of a system
carrying capacity
the maximum number of individuals of a given species that an area’s resources can sustain indefinitely without significantly depleting or degrading those resources.
community
group of populations living and interacting with each other in a common habitat
ecosystem
is a community and the physical environment it interacts with
inputs and outputs of photosynthesis
inputs – light energy, carbon dioxide, water
outputs – glucose, oxygen
inputs and outputs of respiration
inputs – glucose, oxygen outputs – carbon dioxide, energy, water.
first law of thermodynamics and how it is illustrated in an ecosystem
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It is just converted from one form to another.
is illustrated by the flow of energy and matter (photosynthesis)
second law of thermodynamics and how it is illustrated in an ecosystem
states that in any closed system, the amount of usable energy decreases over time
is illustrated by the flow of energy from one trophic level to another
identify producers, consumers and various trophic levels in a food chain
Producers: - autotrophs (green plants)
- chemosynthetic organisms
Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, detritivores and decomposers)