UNIT 3.1 - Ecosystems Flashcards
Define species
A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
What makes up an ecosystem?
The habitat, populations and communities
Define ecosystem
An ecosystem consists of all the organisms (the community) living in a particular habitat and the non-living components with which the organisms interact
Define niche
the role that an organism plays within a community
Why does competition in ecosystems occur?
Competition will occur when resources are in short supply
Define interspecific competition
Interspecific competition occurs amongst individuals of different species for one or a few of the resources they require
Define intraspecific competition
Intraspecific competition occurs amongst individuals of the same species for all the resources required
Which type of competition is most intense?
Intraspecific competition is more intense than interspecific competition
Define producer
Green plants that produce their own food by photosynthesis
Define consumer
An animal that obtains energy by eating other organisms
Define population
The total number of organisms of the same sources that live in a particular habitat
Define herbivore
A consumer that eats plants only
Define carnivore
A consumer that eats other animals only
Define omnivore
A consumer that eats both plants and animals
Define biodiversity
The term used to describe the variety and relative abundance of species present in an ecosystem
