Studied by 5 people
species
a group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
population
a group of organisms of the same species living in an area at one time
genetic drift
the random changes in allele frequencies in a population due to chance
autotrophs
organisms that synthesize, or produce, their own organic molecules from simple inorganic substances in it’s environment
heterotrophs
organisms which gain their organic molecules by ingesting the tissues of other organisms.
consumers
gain their organic molecules by ingesting the tissues of other living or recently dead organisms
detrivores
gain organic molecules by ingesting the tissues of dead organisms or ingesting animal waste carrying out internal digestion
saprotrophs
gain organic molecules by ingesting the tissues of dead organisms and waste material, but they secrete enzymes onto their food and digest it externally
community
multiple populations of different species living and interacting in the same area.
ecosystem
a community and its interactions with the non-living parts if it’s environment
decomposition
the process of breaking down the bodies of dead organisms and the waste products of organisms
peat
compacted partially decomposed plant matter over long amounts of time
fossilization
the process when animals and plants die in acidic or anaerobic conditions and complete decomposition cannot take place
Note 
Flashcard (24)