4.1 Flashcards
What is a species?
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
What is a hybrid?
The offspring of two similar but different species
Most of these offspring are infertile
What are characteristics of autotrophs?
They can synthesise organic molecules from inorganic molecules, usual through the process of photosynthesis
Also called producers as they make food that is used by other organisms
What are characteristics of heterotrophs?
Must obtain their organic molecules from other organisms
Also called consumers
How do consumers obtain organic compounds?
By ingesting other organisms
What are detritivores?
Organisms that eat non-living matter like dead leaves recess and carcasses.
What are saprotrophs?
Organisms that digest their food externally, they secrete digestive enzymes onto either living or non-living organic matter then absorb the nutrients
What is a population?
A group of the same species living in the same area
What is a community?
A group of populations living together and interacting with each other in the same area
What does abiotic mean?
Components of the environment that are non-living
What does biotic mean?
Components of the environment that are living
What is an ecosystem?
All of the biotic and abiotic factors in a given area
Where do autotrophs get their nutrients?
They get their nutrients from photosynthesis, this makes organic compounds from inorganic compounds
What are decomposers?
Include saprotrophs and detritivores,
They unlock nutrients stuck in the dead bodies of organisms
How does nutrients cycling occur?
1.Producers take inorganic compounds and transform them into organic compounds.
2. Consumers eat the producers
3. The complex molecules found in the producers are digested into smaller monomers such as glucose and amino acids
4. When those consumers die , their cells are broken down by the digestive enzymes of decomposers and the nutrients are returned to the spoil.
