UNIT 7 ck12’s 6.1-6.2 Flashcards
What is ecology?
The study of how living things interact with each other and with their environment
Ecology is a major branch of biology with overlaps in geography, geology, and climatology.
What are the two fundamental concepts in ecology?
The ecosystem and its organisms
These concepts form the basis of ecological study.
What do all organisms depend on from their environment?
Energy and matter
Organisms are not closed systems and are influenced by their environment.
What are abiotic factors?
The nonliving aspects of the environment
Examples include sunlight, soil, temperature, and water.
What are biotic factors?
The living aspects of the environment
They consist of other organisms, including members of the same and different species.
What is an ecosystem?
A unit of nature that consists of all the biotic and abiotic factors in an area and their interactions
Ecosystems can vary in size.
Can a dead log on a forest floor be considered an ecosystem?
Yes
It contains a variety of species interacting with each other and abiotic factors.
What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?
Sunlight
Sunlight enters the ecosystem through photosynthesis.
How does energy flow through an ecosystem?
From producers to consumers
Energy flows from plants (producers) to herbivores and then to carnivores.
What role do plants play in many ecosystems?
Producers
Plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
Who are the primary consumers in an ecosystem?
Herbivores
Herbivores eat plants to obtain energy.
Who are the secondary consumers in an ecosystem?
Carnivores
Carnivores eat herbivores to obtain energy.
What depicts the interactions of organisms within an ecosystem?
Flow of energy
The flow of energy illustrates how organisms interact.
What is the difference between energy and matter in ecosystems?
Energy is constantly added; matter is recycled
Matter, such as water and elements like carbon and nitrogen, is reused in ecosystems.
What are examples of nutrients that are recycled in ecosystems?
Water, carbon, nitrogen
These elements are reused repeatedly in ecosystems.
True or False: Ecosystems are closed systems that do not require external energy inputs.
False
Ecosystems require constant inputs of energy, primarily from sunlight.
What is a niche in the context of an ecosystem?
The role of a species in its ecosystem, including interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.
What are two important aspects of a species’ niche?
- The food it eats
- How the food is obtained
What is a habitat?
The physical environment in which a species lives and to which it is adapted
A habitat’s features are determined mainly by abiotic factors such as temperature and rainfall.
What determines the features of a habitat?
Abiotic factors such as temperature and rainfall
What does the competitive exclusion principle state?
Two different species cannot occupy the same niche in the same place for very long
What is likely to happen if two species compete for the same niche?
One species would likely outcompete and replace the other
What is character displacement?
The adaptation of species to develop different specializations to coexist
What role does competition for resources play in evolution?
It plays an important role in evolution through natural selection
