ecology

Question 1

ecology

Answer 1

the study of interrelationships between organisms with/in their non-living environment

Question 2

biotic factor

Answer 2

the non-living things interacting in an ecosystem

eg) water flow and air quality

Question 2

abiotic factor

Answer 2

the living things interacting in an ecosystem

Question 3

community

Answer 3

when different populations (a group of living organisms that are the same species in the same place and time) interact

Question 4

population

Answer 4

a group of living organisms that are the same species in the same place and time

Question 5

ecosystem

Answer 5

a community of living organisms (biotic)
together with their non-living (abiotic) factors

Question 6

decomposer

Answer 6

an organism that gains nutrients by breaking down dead organisms into simpler nutrients

eg) worms eat dead leaves and break them down

Question 6

habitat

Answer 6

the place where a population (a group of living organisms that are the same species in the same place and time) of organisms lives

Question 6

What is the source of energy for plants

Answer 6

the sun is converted into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Question 6

what is the source of energy for animals

Answer 6

other organisms are eaten as food

eg) foxes eat rabbits for energy

Question 6

producer

Answer 6

the source of energy for most ecosystems. they are at the start of food chains/pyramids. they make their own food for themselves through photosynthesis.

eg) trees and grass

Question 6

1st order consumer

Answer 6

organisms that eat the producer, normally herbivore.

eg) grasshoppers eat grass

Question 7

2nd order consumer

Answer 7

organisms that eat the 1st order consumer. normally carnivore but can also be omnivore.

eg) frogs eat grasshoppers and algae

Question 7

apex predator

Answer 7

the organism at the top of the food chain/pyramid. they have no other predators that eat them. normally carnivore

eg) eagles eat pythons

Question 8

3rd order consumer

Answer 8

organism that eats the 2nd order consumer and sometimes the 1st order too. normally carnivore.

eg) pythons eat frogs

Question 9

how does energy flow within a food chain

Answer 9

organisms eat each other to get their energy.

Question 10

how is energy lost within a food chain

Answer 10

only 10% of energy is transferred from the organism being eaten to the organism eating. the other 90% of energy is lost through heat, waste and movement.

eg) if a python has 1000 kJ then the eagle that eats the python will have 100 kJ

Question 11

word equation for respiration

Answer 11

glucose + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water

Question 12

word equation for cellular respiration aka photosynthesis

Answer 12

carbon dioxide + water = glucose + oxygen

Question 13

collaboration

Answer 13

a long term relationship where organisms of the same species co-operate with each other ot ensure their survival

eg) ants leaving a scent trail so other ants can find food

Question 14

mating

Answer 14

a long term relationship between the same species when they produce new offspring do the species can survive

eg) two adult foxes mate to produce a baby fox

Question 15

competition (same species)

Answer 15

a short term relationship between the same species. when organisms fight over the same limited resources

Question 16

mutualism

Answer 16

a symbiotic relationship that is long term and both species benefit from the relationship.

eg) bees pollinating flowers. the bees get the nectar they need and flowers can grow because they got pollinated

Question 17

commensalism

Answer 17

a long term symbiosis relationship where one organsims is benefited while the other isn’t affected.

Question 18

parasitism

Answer 18

a long term symbiosis relationshipwhere one organsim (parasite) lives in/on the body of another (host). the parasite is benefited and the host is harmed ## Footnote eg) fleas on dogs

Question 19

predator/prey

Answer 19

a balances relationship that is short term. when one organism is hunted as a food source for the other. ## Footnote eg) fox and bunny

Question 20

competition (different species)

Answer 20

when organisms not of the same species are fighting over the same limited resources

Question 21

dynamic equilibrium

Answer 21

ecosystem balance. a constantly changing state of balance between the different populations/communities

Question 22

how do dynamic equilibriums change due to natural events

Answer 22

the dynamic equilibrium will respond to changes by making a new equilibrium that is mostly similar to the original

Question 23

quadrat sampling method

Answer 23

1) divide the area of population into equal rectangles 2) selevt number of rectangles to be separated and count organisms 3) estimate the population size number of organisms x (total number of rectangles / number of rectangles sampled)

Question 24

capture recapture method

Answer 24

(N1 X N2) / M2 N1 = number of organisms counted in capture 1, then marked before they are let out into the wild again N2 = number of organisms counted in capture 2 M2 = number of organisms counted in capture 2 that were marked from capture 1

Question 25

introduced species