Ecology Review

biology

The scientific study of life, encompassing the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms.

organism

Any individual living entity that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and maintain homeostasis.

species

A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

homeostasis

The process by which living organisms regulate internal conditions to maintain a stable, constant state despite external changes.

ecology

The branch of biology that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment, including the relationships between living organisms and their physical surroundings.

abiotic factors

Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, air, rocks, and minerals.

biotic factors

The living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi, that interact with each other and their abiotic environment.

symbiosis

A close and long-term interaction between two different biological species where at least one species benefits

mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both species involved benefit from the interaction.

commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

parasitic relationship

A type of symbiosis where one species benefits at the expense of the other, causing harm.

autotrough

An organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, using inorganic materials. (PLANTS)

heterotroph

An organism that cannot produce its own food and must obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms. (CONSUMERS)

carrying capacity

The maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely without detrimental effects.

density dependent factor

A variable that affects a population's growth in proportion to its size, such as competition, predation, or disease.

density independent factor

A variable that affects a population's growth regardless of its size, such as natural disasters, climate changes, or human activities.

R vs K strategy

Two reproductive strategies used by organisms, where R-strategists produce many offspring with low parental care, while K-strategists produce fewer offspring with high parental care.

emigration

The process of individuals LEAVING a population to settle elsewhere

immigration

The process of individuals moving INTO a population from elsewhere.

herbivores

Organisms that primarily consume plants or parts of plants.

omnivores

Organisms that consume both plants and animals.

carnivores

Organisms that primarily consume other animals.

detrivores

Organisms that consume dead organic matter, breaking it down into simpler substances.

decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organisms and organic waste, returning nutrients to the environment.

rule of 10

The rule of 10, also known as the ten percent rule, states that only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next level in a food chain.

biomass

The total mass of living matter in a given area or volume, often represented as the amount of organic material that can be used as energy in an ecosystem.

pyramid of energy

90% energy loss as you go up a level

pyramid of biomass

biomass at each level in an ecosystem, showing the amount of biomass consumed by the level above it

pyramid of numbers

each level represents the number of individual organisms consumed by the level above it

ecological organization

Refers to the hierarchical structure of biological communities, encompassing levels such as individual organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere.

niche

The role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

resource partitioning

Species alter their use of the niche to avoid competition, by dividing resources among them

response to stimuli

Describes how organisms react to changes in their environment, which can be behavioral or physiological.

photosynthesis

plants convert carbon dioxide, water and sunlight into glucose and oxygen

predator-prey

interaction describes the relationship where one organism (the predator) hunts and consumes another organism (the prey) for food.