Unit 8 Ecology Flashcards
Ecology
Study of interactions between organism and their environment.
Abiotic Factors
Non-living things like temperature, water, sunlight, etc.
Biotic Factors
Living/one-living things like plants, animals, bacteria, etc.
What are the ecological levels of organization?
Individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, & biosphere.
Individual
Single, living organism.
Population
Individuals of the same species living in the same area.
Community
Different populations living in the same area & interacting with each other.
Ecosystem
Community of living organisms (biotic) interacting with their environment (abiotic).
Biome
Large, geographic area with a specific climate, flora, & fauna.
Biosphere
The entire planet and its ecosystems.
Habitat
Environment of an organism.
Niche
Organism’s role within its ecosystem.
Ex. position in the food web & interactions with its environment.
Environmental Sensing
How an organism responds to changes in its environment.
Behavioral Mechanisms
Changes in behavior in response to environmental cues.
Taxis
Movement of an organism towards/away from a stimulus.
Kinesis
Change in speed/direction in response to a stimulus.
Physiological Mechanism
Changes in the physical/chemical processes of an organism in response to environmental cues.
Phototropism
Growth of plant towards light.
Fight-or-Flight
Response to perceived danger/threat.
Importance of Communication
Organisms communicate in response to environmental changes, influencing their behavior & overall fitness. Cooperative behaviors increased the survival of populations.
Energy
Organism use energy to maintain organization, grow & reproduce → different ways of regulating body temperature & metabolism.
Endotherms
Generate their own metabolic heat to maintain internal temperature.
Ex. mammals
Ectotherms
Body temperature changes with the environment.
Ex. reptiles & amphibians.
Metabolic Rate
Smaller organism have higher metabolic rates.
