biology- ecosystems term 2

4 levels of environmental organisation

The 4 levels of environmental organization are individual, population, community, and ecosystem, representing a hierarchy of biological interaction and complexity.

what is a species

A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, sharing common characteristics and genetic heritage.

what are producers

Producers are organisms, typically plants and algae, that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

what are consumers

Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by feeding on other organisms, including plants and animals, and are classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers based on their position in the food chain.

what are the trophic levels for a food web

The trophic levels for a food web are hierarchies that describe the feeding positions of organisms within an ecosystem, typically categorized as producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

what is competition

Competition is the interaction between organisms or species in which they vie for the same resources, such as food, space, or mates, negatively impacting each other's growth and survival.

example: male deer fighting for resources

what is predation

Predation is a biological interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts and feeds on another organism, the prey, influencing population dynamics and ecosystem balance.

example: cow and grass

what is a symbiotic relationship

A symbiotic relationship is a close, long-term interaction between two different species, which may benefit one or both organisms. Examples include mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

what is mutualism

Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit from the interaction, enhancing their survival and reproduction.

example: flowering plants and pollinators

what is commensalism

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

example: barnacles and whales

what is parasitism

Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host, often harming it in the process.

examples: ticks on mammals, tapeworms in intestines

what is biological classification

first: genus second: species

what are the 8 levels of taxon

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

what is artificial selection

Artificial selection is the process by which humans breed specific organisms for desired traits, selecting individuals with favorable characteristics to reproduce.

analogous structure

Structures in different species that have similar functions but evolved independently, not from a common ancestor.

natural classification

A system of organizing living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships, reflecting their phylogeny.

what is homologous

structures Structures in different species that are similar due to a shared ancestry, but may serve different functions.

what is reproductive isolation

Reproductive isolation refers to mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding and producing fertile offspring, thus maintaining species integrity.

pre zygotic

isolation mechanisms that occur before fertilization, preventing mating or fertilization between species.

post zygotic

isolation mechanisms that occur after fertilization, reducing the viability or fertility of hybrid offspring.

what are abiotic factors

Non-living components of an ecosystem that influence living organisms, such as temperature, water, sunlight, soil, and climate.

what are biotic factors

Living components of an ecosystem that affect other organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

what is zonation

The spatial arrangement of different habitats and communities within an ecosystem, often influenced by environmental gradients.

side to side

what is stratification

The layering of different habitat types in an ecosystem, typically based on factors like light penetration, temperature, or vegetation types, which can affect species distribution.

up and down

what is an adaption

A trait or characteristic that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

structural adaption

A physical feature of an organism that enhances its survival and reproductive success in a specific environment.

example: the long neck of a giraffe, which allows it to reach leaves high in trees.

physiological adaption

A functional change in an organism's biological processes that enhances its survival and reproductive success in its environment.

example: secretion of toxins by plants to deter predators

behavioural adaption

A change in an organism's behavior that improves its chances of survival and reproduction in its environment. Example: migration of birds to find food or suitable climates.

what is natural selection

Natural selection is the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. It is a key mechanism of evolution.

what is the water cycle

The continuous process by which water circulates through the Earth's ecosystems, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.

what is the carbon cycle

The process by which carbon is exchanged between the Earth's biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, involving processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.

what is an ecological niche

An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species has within its environment, including how it interacts with other organisms, uses resources, and responds to environmental conditions. It encompasses factors such as food sources, habitat, behavior, and competition.

what is a keystone species

a species that would greatly affect an ecosystem if removed, trophic cascade (changes in food web and predators)

what is an organism

single and individual living organism

what is a population

a number of organisms in the same species that live in an area

what is a community

a group of various species in a common location

what is an ecosystem

where living organisms interact with each other and surroundings (abiotic and biotic factors)

Photosynthesis formular

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Carbon dioxide+water=glucose+oxygen

ecosystems changing over time

daily change

• light intensity

• temperature

• humidity

seasonal change

• seasons

• reproduction of plants and animals to create offspring

long term changes

• colonization of new species to an area

• natural disasters

• human activity

• ecological sucession

primary succession

starts with lifeless area on bare rocks and begins when spores of autotrophic organisms are blown by wind to settle on rocks

organisms grow and die overtime and create rich and diverse ecosystem

secondary succession

may occur in already mature ecosystem if it experiences disaster or human activity

populations will return over time

why is ecological niches important

• resource allocation

• ecosystem stability

• energy flow

• stops possible extinction

what is the chemical process for cellular respiration