Unit 2 - Key Terms

Question 1

Species

Answer 1

a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Question 2

Population

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Habitat

Answer 3

the location in which a community, species, population or organism lives

Question 4

Niche

Answer 4

describes the particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources upon which an organism or a population depends on

Question 5

Biosphere

Answer 5

an ecological system composed of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems

Question 6

Ecosystem

Answer 6

an open system of interacting abiotic and biotic factors

Question 7

Limiting Factors

Answer 7

environmental factors that slow down population growth

Question 8

Keystone Species

Answer 8

species that are vital for the continuing function of an ecosystem: without them the ecosystem may collapse

Question 9

Community

Answer 9

a collection of interacting populations within the ecosystem