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Biology > Ecology > Flashcards

Ecology Flashcards

Learn about Ecology

1
Q

Define: Ecology.

A

The Discipline of Biology that deals with how organisms interact with each other and their environment.

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2
Q

Define: Ecosystem.

A

A complex biological community of interacting organisms and their environment.

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3
Q

Define: Community.

A

A community in biology is an interacting group of organisms of various species that exist in the same place and time.

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4
Q

Define: Population.

A

A population is a group of organisms of the same species that are capable of interbreeding that exist in the same place and time.

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5
Q

Define: Species.

A

A group of living organisms that share enough traits to allow them to interbreed.

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6
Q

Define: Biosphere.

A

The entire collection of connected ecosystems that make up an entire planet.

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7
Q

Define: Environment.

A

All of the biotic and abiotic factors that a species interacts with and which determines its possibility of survival.

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8
Q

Define: Biotic.

A

Any factor that relates to or is derived from a living organism.

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9
Q

Define: Abiotic.

A

Any factor that does not relate to living organisms nor is it derived from them.

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10
Q

Define: Tolerance Range.

A

The Tolerance Range of a factor is the range of that factor within which a species is capable of surviving, but outside of which they would not survive.

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11
Q

Define: Optimum Range.

A

The optimum range is the area within the tolerance range within which a species is capable of not only surviving but actually thriving and breeding.

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12
Q

Define: Limiting Factors.

A

Limiting Factors are the biotic and abiotic conditions within an ecosystem that limit a population’s growth, abundance or distribution.

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13
Q

Define: Zonation.

A

Zonation refers to the distribution of various species into specific zones according to parameters like altitude or depth.

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14
Q

Define: Stratification.

A

Stratification refers to the vertical layering of a habitat, usually in reference to vegetation or forestry.

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15
Q

Define: Biome.

A

A biome is a large scale ecosystem that covers a large geographic area. Biome refers specifically to the community of flora and fauna in said area, and is usually characterised by the type of vegetation.

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16
Q

Define: Competition.

A

Competition refers to a type of interaction either within or between species that results in both sides being harmed.

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17
Q

Define: Mutualism.

A

Mutualism refers to a type of interaction between species that results in benefits for both species.

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18
Q

Define: Commensalism.

A

Commensalism refers to a type of interaction between species that results in benefits for one species, without negatively or positively affecting the other.

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19
Q

Define: Exploitation (Parasitism).

A

Parasitism refers to a specific set of exploitative interactions between different species where one species lives on or in another, causing some harm. The parasite is structurally adapted to suit this way of life.

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20
Q

Define: Exploitation (Predation).

A

Predation refers to a specific set of exploitative interactions between different species where one (predator) hunts the other (prey) and feeds on them, this is a mechanism of population control.

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21
Q

Define: Exploitation (Herbivory).

A

Herbivory refers to a specific set of exploitative interactions where one species (fauna) feeds on the other (flora). This type of interaction specifically refers to animals that eat plants.

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22
Q

Define: Niche.

A

A niche refers to the way an organism fits into an ecosystem. It refers to not only the physical location within an ecosystem that the organism lives, but also the specific set of behaviours that fit into its surroundings.

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23
Q

Define: Interspecific Competition.

A

Interspecific Competition refers specifically to competition between different species.

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24
Q

Define: Intraspecific Competition.

A

Intraspecific Competition refers specifically to competition within the same species.

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25
Q

Define: Fundamental Niche.

A

An organism’s Fundamental Niche refers to the maximum niche that an organism could theoretically occupy without competition from other species.

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26
Q

Define: Realised Niche.

A

An organism’s Realised Niche refers to the niche that an organisms actually occupies as a result of competition from other species.

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27
Q

Define: Population Density.

A

Population Density refers to the distribution of an organism over an area, it is measured by the number of individuals within a unit of area or volume of habitat.

28
Q

Define: Population Size.

A

Population Size refers to the number of individuals within a population.

29
Q

Define: Population Distribution.

A

Population Distribution refers to the way in which species are distributed throughout an area.

30
Q

Define: Uniform Distribution.

A

In a Uniform Distribution the individuals of a population are roughly spaced evenly throughout the habitat.

31
Q

Define: Random Distribution.

A

In a Random Distribution the individuals of a population are distributed throughout a habitat seemingly at random without a predictable pattern.

32
Q

Define: Clumped Distribution.

A

In a Clumped Distribution the individuals of a population are distributed throughout a habitat in clumps or groups.

33
Q

Define: Birth Rate (Natality).

A

The Birth Rate of a population refers to how quickly the species within the population are able to reproduce.

34
Q

Define: Death Rate (Mortality).

A

The Death Rate of a population refers to how often the species within a population die.

35
Q

Define: Mean Age.

A

The Mean Age refers to the average age of the individuals within a population.

36
Q

Define: Migration Rate.

A

The Migration Rate of a population refers to how often members of the population either immigrate (enter) or emigrate (leave).

37
Q

Define: Average Brood Size.

A

Average Brood Size refers to how many young an organism gives birth to at once.

38
Q

Define: Age Structure.

A

In Biology an Age Structure is a summary of the number of individuals at each unit of age within a population.

39
Q

Define: Survivorship Curves (Type 1).

A

Type 1 Survivorship Curves are characterised by a high probability of survival at younger ages, followed by a rapid decline in survival later in life.

40
Q

Define: Survivorship Curves (Type 2).

A

Type 2 Survivorship Curves are characterised by a relatively even probability of survival at all ages.

41
Q

Define: Survivorship Curves (Type 3).

A

Type 3 Survivorship Curves are characterised by a low probability of survival at younger ages, but an increased chance of survival if they get older.

42
Q

Define: “r” Selection.

A

“r” Selected populations are species who’s only population growth is primarily limited by the maximum reproductive potential of the organism.

43
Q

Define: “K” Selection.

A

“K” Selected populations are species whose population growth is currently limited by the carrying capacity of their environment.

44
Q

Define: First Law of Thermodynamics.

A

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that heat is a form of energy and is therefore subject to the conservation of energy. Heat energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed into and out of other forms.

45
Q

Define: Second Law of Thermodynamics.

A

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that “in all energy exchanges, if no energy enters or leaves the system, the potential energy of the state will always be less than that of the initial state.” This is also commonly referred to as entropy.

46
Q

Define: Photosynthesis.

A

Photosynthesis is the process by which some organisms use sunlight, carbon-dioxide, and water, to generate nutrients.

47
Q

Define: Food Chains.

A

A food chain is a series of organisms in which each is dependant on the next in the series as a food source. Also sometimes called a food web.

48
Q

Define: Trophic Levels.

A

The Trophic Levels are a series of hierarchical levels in an ecosystem consisting of organisms sharing the same function in the food chain.

49
Q

Define: Producers.

A

Producers are the lowest trophic, populated by organisms that are able to produce their own energy through biochemical processes.

50
Q

Define: Primary Consumers.

A

Primary Consumers are organisms that solely feed on Producers. Generally they are known as herbivores.

51
Q

Define: Secondary Consumers.

A

Secondary Consumers are organisms that primarily feed on Primary consumers.

52
Q

Define: Detritivores.

A

A Detritivore is an organism that feeds on and breaks down dead plant and animal matter. Also known as a Saprotrophs or Decomposers.

53
Q

Define: Biomass.

A

Biomass describes the total mass of biological organisms in a given area at a time.

54
Q

Define: Productivity.

A

Productivity describes the rate of generation of new biomass within a given area at a time.

55
Q

Define: Gross Primary Production.

A

GPP is the amount of chemical energy as biomass that primary producers create in a given length of time. It should not be confused with Gross Primary Productivity.

56
Q

Define: Net Primary Production.

A

The NPP is the difference between the Gross Primary Production and the amount of energy those organisms use that energy.

57
Q

Define: Ecological Pyramids.

A

Ecological Pyramids are a graphical representation showing the feeding relationships of a group of organisms.

58
Q

Define: Biodiversity.

A

Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms, within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

59
Q

Define: Species Richness.

A

Species Richness is simply a count of the number of species within an ecological community. It does not take into account the relative abundance of the species.

60
Q

Define: Relative Abundance.

A

Relative Abundance is a component of biodiversity and refers to how common or rare a certain species is relative to other species, within a defined location or community.

61
Q

Define: Ecosystem Stability.

A

Ecosystem Stability refers to a lack of significant changes within an ecosystem. It can also refer to Ecosystems that are able to return to an equilibrium after being disturbed.

62
Q

Define: Keystone Species.

A

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment relative to its abundance.

63
Q

Define: Ecological Succession.

A

Ecological succession is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time. These changes usually follow a disturbance or the initial colonization of a new habitat.

64
Q

Define: Primary Succession.

A

Primary Succession is the gradual growth of an ecosystem in which new substrate devoid of vegetation is deposited. Usually the result of a volcano or glacier.

65
Q

Define: Secondary Succession.

A

Secondary Succession is the development of life on substrate that once held life. Usually after a flood, fire or other smaller disaster.

66
Q

Define: Pioneer Species.

A

A Pioneer Species are hardy species which are the first to colonize a new area. They often pave the way for future organisms.

67
Q

Define: Climax Community.

A

Climax Community is the term for a community of organisms that through the process of ecological succession have reached a steady state.

Biology (3 decks)

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