IB Biology ECOLOGY

species

species

a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

What do members of a species have in common?

-Similar characteristics

• ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring -different gene pools than other organisms

• a common phylogeny

Hybrids

The offspring of two similar but different species

Autotrophs/ PRODUCERS

synthesize organic molecules from inorganic molecules, usually through the process of photosynthesis - PRODUCERS

Heterotrophs/ CONSUMERS

Must obtain their organic molecules from other organisms

Detrivores

eat non-living irganic matter

Saprotrophs / DECOMPOSERS

digest their food externally by secreting digestive enzymes ono living or non-living organic matter and absorb the nutriens

community

a group of populations living and interacting with each other in the same area

population

a group of the species living in the same area

ecosystem

a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment

abiotic factors (of an ecosystem)

non-living components of the environment

biotic factors(of an ecosystem)

living components of the environment

Describe the nutrien cycle

1. producers take inorganic compounds and transform them into organic compounds

2. consumers eat the producers

3. complex molecues found in the producers are digested into smaller monomers

4. consumer dies, its cells are broken down by the digestive enzymes of decomposers and the nutriens are returned to the soil

photosynthesis energy conversion formula

H20+CO2--->C6H12O6+O2

cellular respiration energy conversion furmula

C6H12O6--->CO2+H2O+ATP+HEAT

energy flow

the process of passing energy from one organism to another through feeding

food chain

a sequence showing the feeding relationships and energy flow between species

peat

a type of water logged soil that contains large amounts of partially decomposed matter

Desribe peat formation

1. dead organisms are covered in water 2.the weight of the water causes the air outt creating an anaerobic environment

2. microorganisms which would decompose the dead matter die off

3. energy-rich compounds are compressed and preserved

Ecology

a science about interactions between organism and their envirnoment

3 requirements for sustainability in ecosystems

1. nutrien availability

2. detoxification of waste products 3.energy availability

carbon cycle

a biochemical cycle whereby carbon is exchanged between differents spheres of the Earth

greenhouse gases

absorb and emit long-wave radiation, trapping and holding heat within the atmosphere