Evolution Flashcards
Behavior
everything an animal does and how it does it
Kinesis
automatic movement; stimulus
System
a group of things working together for a common purpose
Ecology
study of the interactions that occur within this big system; between abiotic and biotic, and biotic and biotic
Niche
an organism’s role within their ecosystem
Biotic
living components or once living
Food chain
represents a single sequence showing predator/prey
Food web
represents ALL the interconnected ecosystem interactions
Decomposers
fungi, bacteria, insects
R selected species
unstable environment; small body size, early maturity, dispersed offspring
K selected species
stable environment; large body size; long life expectancy; high parental care
Ecological succession
communities change over time
Primary succession
succession where there is no pre-existing vegetation
Symbiosis
species living together
Fundamental niche
entire range an organism can occupy
Realized niche
range the organisms actually occupy
Autotrophs
uses the energy in sunlight or inorganic molecules to make their own food
Heterotrophs
consumers that rely on other organisms as a source of energy and carbon
Logistic growth
begins exponentially, but slows as the population approaches carrying capacity
Carrying capacity
the maximum number
