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2.1 individuals, populations, communities & ecosystems Flashcards

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1
Q

state what a biosphere is

A

a biosphere refers to all parts of the Earth where LIFE exists.

these areas must have suitable living CONDITIONS (ex: contain water, correct nutrients and an input of energy).

it is SUPPORTED by interactions between the:
- lithosphere (rocks that degrade to form soil - land)
- atmosphere (gases - air)
- hydrosphere (water resources)

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2
Q

biological species concept vs traditional definition

A

biological species concept:
a species is a group of organisms that can INTERBREED and PRODUCE fertile offspring

sometimes species breed together to produce HYBRID offspring
ex: horse + donkey = mule
these can survive until adulthood but are sterile (not able to get pregnant at all)

traditional species concept:
based on the presence of shared morphological features

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3
Q

when can a biological species concept not be applied?

A

(1) in species reproducing ASEXUALLY ex: bacteria
(2) in species that are identified from FOSSIL records (extinct populations)
(3) in species that LACK sufficient DATA on their reproduction
(4) in geographically ISOLATED populations of potentially the SAME species

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4
Q

how is the group of people that species are classified by called?

A

taxonomists

taxon - group that is used to distinguish one type of organism from another

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5
Q

state the definition of classification.

A

classification refers to placing organisms in HIERARCHIAL groups of DECREASING similarity based on SHARED characteristics or traits

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6
Q

how are species classified and why is it important?

A

using the binomial (‘two names’) system:
first - genus
second - species

classified into TAXA (groups of organisms classified together based on shared characteristics, ex: genus, family)

important because it allows us to:
(1) identify and categorize organisms across the biological spectrum
(2) predict the characteristics of species

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7
Q

what does taxonomy entail?

A

taxonomy is the BROADER discipline that does not only entail classification but also includes the principles & general rules of the process of categorizing organisms:

(1) NAMING of species and taxa
(2) DEFINING groups of organisms based on SHARED characteristics
(3) establishing CRITERIA for placing species in taxa
(4) developing TOOLS for sorting organisms into taxa

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8
Q

what is the main tool used in taxonomy and what is it?

A

dichotomus (‘divided into two parts’) key:
a tool for the IDENTIFICATION of an organism with which you are NOT familiar

it is either in written form or drawn as a tree diagram, and it is done in steps (pg 87)

in each STEP you have TWO OPTIONS based on the possible characteristics of an organism you are looking for

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9
Q

state the limitations of the dichotomous key

A

(1) only takes into consideration PHYSICAL characteristics rather than BEHAVIORAL ex: some species might look very alike but have totally different behaviours
(2) some have TECHNICAL terms that only EXPERTS can understand
(3) may NOT be AVAILABLE dichotomous key for an organism
(4) physical characteristics are NOT PERMANENT, ex: males vs females might look completely different OR body shape changes during lifetime (tadpole - adult frog)

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10
Q

what are some more other tools other than dichotomous key in taxonomy?

A

(1) collection and observations of speciments in their natural habitat
(2) comparing species to those in museums or hebrariums
(3) DNA barcoding (genetic markers that identify individuals to belonging to a specific species)

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11
Q

state what a population is.

A

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

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12
Q

what factors determine the distribution of a population?

A

Biotic factors - the living components of an ecosystem ex: animals, plants, algae

Abiotic factors - the non-living, physical factors that influence the organisms and ecosystem

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13
Q

what are the three types of ecosystems?

A

(1) marine - sea, mangroves, etc (characterized by having high salt content water)
(2) freshwater - rivers, lakes, wetlands
(3) terrestrial - land based

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14
Q

what are the abiotic fators of a marine ecosystem?

A

(1) salinity
(2) pH
(3) temperature
(4) dissolved oxygen (O2)
(5) soil texture

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15
Q

what are the abiotic factors of freshwater ecosystems?

A

(1) turbidity (cloudiness/haziness in water caused by suspended solids)
(2) pH
(3) temperature
(4) dissolved oxygen (O2)
(5) flow velocity (speed at which water moves in a specific direction)
(6) light intensity

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16
Q

what are the abiotic factors of terrestrial ecosystems?

A

(1) temperature
(2) light intensity
(3) wind speed
(4) soil:
- particle size
- drainage (natural/artificial removal of excess water)
- organic matter
- pH
(5) slope (measure of steepness or inclination of a surface)

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17
Q

with what can light intensity be measured?

A

light meter:

  • must be held at a standard, fixed height above the ground
  • cloud coverage changes, so values must be taken at the same TIME of the day with the same ATMOSPHERIC conditions, pointing in the same DIRECTION and at the same ANGLE
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18
Q

with what can temperature be measured?

A

datalogger (electronic thermometer)

  • temperature needs to be taken at standard depth, buried deep enough, and checked every time it is used
  • conventional digital thermometer (only a short period, sec/min)
  • data logger (long periods, days/years)
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19
Q

state the definition of pH.

A

the negative (-) LOGARITHM of the concentration of PROTONS in a solution.

determines how ACIDIC or BASIC a solution is

fresh water - neutral
sea water - from slightly basic to slightly acidic

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20
Q

with what can pH be measured?

A

usually using a pH probe and meter

  • each reading must be taken at the same depth and the tool must be cleaned in between readings

soil pH:
soil testing kit

  • the color that the sample shows is compared to a pH colour chart
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21
Q

with what can wind be measured?

A

with a digital anemometer

  • usually uses cups to capture wind
  • it is important that the anemometer’s exposure to wind is not blocked or jeopardized by gusty conditions
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22
Q

with what can soil texture be measured?

A

with a series of sieves (κόσκινα-σουροτήρια) with increasingly fine mesh sizes (size of holes/openings to fit smaller or larger particles)

or separated by sedimentation

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23
Q

with what can the slope be measured?

A

the angle of the slope - clinometer

the slope’s aspect (direction it is facing) - compass

limitation: slope may vary in angle over distance

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24
Q

with what can soil moisture be measured?

A

since it contains water and organic matter a method is measuring the MASS of samples BEFORE and AFTER being heated in the OVEN

limitations: if oven is too hot when the water is evaporating, organic matter will also BURN OFF

multiple readings should be taken and the final one should be used

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25
with what can the mineral content be measured?
the Loss of Ignition (LOI) test soil samples are HEATED over several hours to allow the volatile substances (the ones that can evaporate to ESCAPE
26
with what can flow velocity be measured?
flow meter an impeller that is inserted in the water and pointed to a certain direction requires several readings and same depth limitation: results can be misleading if only one part of the stream is measured + rainfall or glacial melting events may have an effect
27
with what can salinity be measured?
either with a datalogger or by measuring the density of water (the HIGHER the sale content, the HIGHER the density)
28
with what can dissolved oxygen be measured?
with oxygen sensitive electrodes connected to a meter limitation: readings may be affected by O2 in the air or with the Winkler Method - based on the principle that oxygen REACTS with IODIDE ions and acid can be ADDED to RELEASE IODINE (the amount can me measured quantitatively)
29
with what can wave action be measured?
with a dynamometer - it measures the force in the waves - requires the average results due to changes in tide and wave strength
30
with what can turbidity be measured?
with a Secchi disc - the disk is lowered from the shady part of the boat in water until it is no longer visible - depth is recorded - then it is slowly pulled up - the depth where it becomes visible again is recorded - the two depths are averaged limitation: angle of the sun might affect measurement + it is SUBJECTIVE
31
state what an ecological niche is.
the ROLE of a species in an ecosystem and can be described by WHERE, WHEN and HOW an organism lives. it comprises of all the ABIOTIC and BIOTIC INTERACTIONS that influence the growth, survival and reproduction of a population.
32
differentiate bewteen a funamental and realised niche. FINISH LATER
fundamental niche: full range of conditions where a species may be found (ex: tree) realised niche: environmental conditions
33
what are the 7 main interactions in an ecosystem?
(1) competition (2) predation (3) parasitism (4) disease (5) mutualism (6) commensalism (7) amensalism
34
what is herbivory?
an interaction where an animal feeds on PLANT ex: hippopotamus feeds on vegetation carrying capacity - affected by the abundance of plant resources in an area (more food, higher carrying capacity)
35
what is parasitism?
an organism that BENEFITS at the EXPENSE of another (host) from which it derives food ectoparasites: live on the SURFACE of their host (ex: ticks) endoparasites: live inside their host (ex: tapeworms) carrying capacity - the host's carrying capacity may be reduced because of the harm caused to it by the parasite
36
what is mutualism?
a form of SYMBIOSIS where BOTH species benefit from the relationship. ex: the relationship between bees + flowers - bees get nectar (food) from flower - flowers get pollinated by bees (helps them reproduce)
37
what is a disease?
a disease is a pathgogen (viruses, bacteria and fungi) unlike parasites, pathogens ALWAYS cause HARM and may NOT depend on the host ex: dutch elm diseased caused by fungus
38
what is commensalism and ammensalism?
commensalism: one organism BENEFITS, the other is NOT AFFECTED (ex: barnacles on a whale) ammensalism: one organism is HARMED while the other is NOT AFFECTED (large tree shading smaller plants beneath it)
39
define the term competition.
when resources are limited, populations compete to survive. ihere are two kinds of competition: INTRAspecific - between members of the same species INTERspecific - between members of different species competition takes place when: (a) niches overlap (b) resources in the environment are limited usually one species OUTCOMPETES the other but generally bone of the species benefit
40
define the term carrying capacity.
the MAXIMUM number of INDIVIDUALS of a POPULATION that the environment can SUPPORT, considering different abiotic & biotic factors.
41
three factors that can limit population growth in nature.
42
43
What are cryptic species?
Species that look nearly identical but are genetically distinct.
44
What is the biosphere?
The global ecological system that includes all living organisms and their interactions with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
45
What are the components of the biosphere?
* Individuals * Populations * Communities * Ecosystems
46
What is an individual in ecological terms?
A single organism, such as a lion, a pine tree, or a bacterium.
47
What is a population?
A group of individuals of the same species in an area.
48
What is a community?
Different populations living together and interacting.
49
How do populations interact in a community?
* Predation * Mutualism * Competition
50
What is an ecosystem?
A geographic area where organisms and their non-living environment interact.
51
Why is the biosphere important?
It supports life, regulates Earth’s systems, and maintains biodiversity.
52
What are the human impacts on the biosphere?
* Deforestation * Pollution * Climate change
53
What is a species according to the Biological Species Concept?
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions.
54
What is interbreeding?
When members of the same species can reproduce with each other.
55
What is reproductive isolation?
Means different species cannot naturally interbreed or produce viable, fertile offspring.
56
What is the limit of the Biological Species Concept?
* It doesn’t apply to asexual species * Some species can hybridize * Difficult for fossil species
57
What is classification in biology?
The systematic arrangement of organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.
58
Why is classification important?
* Efficient identification of organisms * Allows prediction of traits * Organizes biodiversity
59
What is binomial nomenclature?
The two-part Latin name system for species, developed by Carl Linnaeus.
60
What are the two parts of a binomial name?
* Genus name (capitalized) * Species name (lowercase)
61
What is a dichotomous key?
A step-by-step tool that helps classify an organism based on observable characteristics.
62
How does a dichotomous key work?
It consists of paired statements or questions, each offering two choices, narrowing down possibilities.
63
What is one method for identifying organisms?
Using reference collections for comparison.
64
What has revolutionized taxonomy?
DNA analysis has revolutionized taxonomy by allowing identification based on genetic code.
65
How do scientists use DNA surveys for identification?
* Collecting samples * Extracting DNA * Sequencing it * Comparing to databases
66
What is the benefit of integrating tools for organism identification?
Combining tools provides the most accurate results.
67
What is a challenge in classification?
* Convergent evolution * Hybridization * Cryptic species

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