Unit 2 Flashcards
What is a biosphere
All the parts of the Earth where life exists, conditions in these areas have to be suitable for life
What does the lithosphere contain
Rocks that degrade to form soils
What does the atmosphere contain
Gases
What does the hydrosphere contain
Water resources
What is a species
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
What does a taxonomist do
Classifies species
What is a dichotomous key
A way to classify species
What is ecology
The study of living organisms in relation to their environment
What are some limitations of dichotomous keys
Only the physical characteristics of the organism can be used, technical terms are used to help understand, and some physical characteristics of organisms can not be easily seen
What is a population
A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time which are capable of interbreeding
What are biotic factors
The living components of an ecosystem
What are abiotic factors
Non-living, physical factors that influence the organisms and ecosystem
What three types can ecosystems be divided into
Marine, freshwater and terrestrial
What are some abiotic factors of a marine ecosystem
Salinity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, soil texture
What are some abiotic factors of a freshwater ecosystem
Turbidity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, flow velocity, light intensity
What are some abiotic factors of a terrestrial ecosystem
Temperature, light intensity, wind speed, soil texture, soil moisture and soil mineral content
What is a niche
The description of the particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources on which an organism or population depends
What is herbivory
An interaction where an animal feeds on a plant
What is carrying capacity
The maximum number of individuals an ecosystem can support
What is a parasite
An organism that benefits at the expense of another from which it derives food
What is mutualism
Two species interacting with each other and mutual benefit
What is symbiosis
Two different species who live together in a close relationship
What is commensialism
Two species interacting with each other, one species benefits and the other is unaffected
What is competition
The demand by individuals for limited environmental resources
What is a predator-prey relationship
When predators consume prey, transferring energy and nutrients up trophic levels
What are limiting factors
Anything that constrains a population’s size and slows it
What is an s-shaped population curve
A population graph where the population grows until it reaches a stable size, based on the carrying capacity
What is a J-shaped population curve
Population that grows exponentially
