Energy and Nutrient Relations in Ecology

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to energy and nutrient relations in ecology.

Photosynthetic Autotrophs

Organisms that synthesize organic molecules using CO2 as a carbon source and light as an energy source.

Chemosynthetic Autotrophs

Organisms that synthesize organic molecules using CO2 as a carbon source and inorganic molecules as energy sources.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that use organic molecules both as a source of carbon and energy.

Energy Limitation

The rate at which organisms can take in energy is limited.

Optimal Foraging Theory

A model that describes feeding behavior as an optimizing process.

Photon Flux Density

The number of photons striking a square meter surface each second; used to quantify photosynthetically active radiation (PAR).

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR)

Visible light that carries sufficient energy to drive the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis; wavelengths between 400-700 nm.

C3 Photosynthesis

A photosynthetic pathway used by most plants and all algae, where CO2 is fixed by combining with RuBP to form PGA.

C4 Photosynthesis

A photosynthetic pathway that separates carbon fixation from the light reactions into different cells and is often found in plants in hot climates.

CAM Photosynthesis

Crassulacean acid metabolism; a pathway where carbon fixation occurs at night in succulent plants, commonly found in arid environments.

Detritivores

Organisms that feed on nonliving organic matter, helping in nutrient cycling.

Herbivores

Organisms that primarily consume plants.

Carnivores

Organisms that mainly consume animals.

Bioremediation

The use of the trophic diversity of bacteria to solve environmental problems such as pollution.

Ecological Stoichiometry

The study of the balance of multiple chemical elements in ecological interactions.

Aposematic coloration

Bright and distinctive coloring in some animals that serves as a warning signal to potential predators.

Müllerian mimicry

A form of mimicry where two or more harmful species evolve to look similar, providing mutual reinforcement of their warning signals.

Batesian mimicry

A form of mimicry where a harmless species imitates the warning signals of a harmful species.