Unit D Flashcards
The biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment is called?
Ecosystem
Open vs closed system
Open - both energy and matter are exchanged.
Closed - energy is exchanged but not matter
Abiotic factors
non-living part of the environment
Biotic factors
living components of environment
Habitat includes
shelter, water, food, space
Ideal habitat includes
best combination of biotic and abiotic factors to meet an organisms needs.
Process of algal bloom
nitrogen and phosphates in fertilizer are carried into local streams. The increased nitrogen and phosphates stimulate algae growth, deplete the oxygen in water, and block sunlight.
Ecology
study of how organisms interact with one another and their environment
Population
a group of organisms of the same species and in the same area who interbreed.
Community
interaction of populations in a certain area.
5 levels of organization in ecology and order.
organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
Biomass
all the dry mass of living and recently dead organisms occupying a habitat.
why is biomass important in ecology
compare ecosystems and compare an ecosystem over time.
Interspecific competition
competition between organisms of different species
Intraspecific competition
competition between organisms within the same population
symbiotic relationship
long-lasting ecological relationship that benefits at least one organism of two different species.
Predator-prey cycle
1) Prey is plentiful predators increase
2) predators increase, prey decreases.
3) decrease supply of food so predators migrate or die off.
4) decreasing predator population allows prey populations to increase.
cycle repeats
interspecific competition occurs for what resources
- food
- territory
- shelter
Intraspecific competition occurs for what resources
- food
- territory
- shelter
- mating partners
Mutualism
both species benefit
Commensalism
one species benefits, the other species is unaffected
Parasitism
One species benefits while the other is harmed
The source of all energy on Earth is ?
The sun
Autotroph/producers
Produce their own food through photosynthesis (plants).
Heterotroph/consumer
Rely on other organisms for energy.
Primary consumer
Rely directly on producer. Also referred to as herbivore.
Secondary consumer
Consume primary consumers. Obtain energy from primary consumers.
Tertiary consumers
Obtain energy from secondary consumers and sometimes primary consumers. (not predated on by other animals)
Omnivore
Eats plants and animals
Carnivore
Eats animals only. Obtains energy from other carnivores.
Scavenger
Organisms that feed on dead animals. Obtains energy from animals it did not kill.
Decomposer
Organisms that obtain energy from dead organic matter by breaking down complex organic molecules .(fungi, worms, carion beetle etc.)
First law of thermodynamics
energy cannot be created or destroyed
Photosynthesis
Sun’s energy converts H2O and CO2 to sugar compounds, while releasing O2.
Trophic levels
Division of species within an ecosystem based on energy source (producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer).
10% rule
When energy is passed from one trophic level to the next only 10% will be passed on.
3 kinds of ecological pyramids used in ecology.
Pyramid of biomass, pyramid of numbers, and pyramid of energy
Pyramid of biomass
divides trophic levels based on dry mass.
Pyramid of numbers
Divides trophic levels based on number of organisms
Pyramid of energy
Divides trophic levels based on energy source.
Why do energy pyramids always get smaller as you go up trophic levels.
Energy is inefficient. Energy is always lost as heat.
Food Chain
Simple representation of energy transfer. Shows only a specific feeding interaction. 1 species at each trophic level.
How does energy transfer between species?
From lower trophic level to higher trophic level. (from producer to primary consumer to secondary consumer to tertiary consumer).
Food Web
Interconnects several feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
Habitat fragmentation
Converting formerly continuous habitats into smaller patches of habitats. ex) roads
Invasive species
A species that causes ecological harm in a new environment where it is not native.