bis2b

Greenhouse gases

Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect, including CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide.

The Principle of Allocation

The concept that each organism has a limited amount of energy for all life purposes, necessitating trade-offs in resource investment.

Species diversity (D value)

A metric for comparing diversity across ecosystems, calculated from species richness and species evenness.

Fundamental niche

The range of abiotic conditions that an organism can physiologically tolerate.

Realized niche

The actual conditions and interactions under which an organism exists, influenced by biotic factors.

Ectothermic organisms

Species that regulate body temperature behaviorally by relying on external temperatures.

Endothermic organisms

Species that primarily regulate their body temperature metabolically.

Bergmann's rule

A principle stating that the body size of animals is positively correlated with the temperature of their habitat.

Allen's rule

A principle stating that appendage length in animals is correlated with habitat temperature, being longer in warmer environments.

Osmoregulation

The process by which organisms regulate the concentration of solutes in their body to maintain proper fluid balance.

Rhizobia

Bacteria that form mutualistic relationships with legumes, providing nitrogen in exchange for sugars.

Mycorrhizae

Fungi that form mutualistic associations with plant roots, supplying various nutrients in exchange for carbohydrates.

Hypertonic

A solution with a higher solute concentration compared to another solution.

Hypotonic

A solution with a lower solute concentration compared to another solution.

Isotonic

A solution with an equal solute concentration compared to another solution.

Semelparity vs iteroparity

A reproductive strategy where organisms reproduce only once in their lifetime (semelparity) versus multiple times (iteroparity).

Trade-offs in ecology

The balance that organisms must find between competing life functions, where investment in one area limits resources available for others.

Optimal foraging theory

A model that helps predict how animals maximize their feeding efficiency.

Photosynthetic pathways

The various mechanisms by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, differing in efficiency and adaptability.

Amphibians

A class of animals characterized by their permeable skin and dependency on moist environments for osmoregulation.