ecology unit 1

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What is ecology?

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62 Terms
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What is ecology?

the study of relationships between organisms

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What do ecologists do?

Ecologists study the relationship between plants, animals and the environment

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What things do ecologists study?

Population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, behavioral ecology

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Example of an interaction that took place during the seed investigation

Seeds with apple juice grew mold that fed off of the juice

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Hierarchy of Ecological Organization

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Biodiversity

The number, and variety of living organisms in a given area, during a specific period of time; total genetic based variety of organisms

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Trophic Levels of Consumers

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Species Richness

the number of species in an area (ex. 3 types of grass in a field)

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Species Abundance

the number of individuals per species (ex. 1 million oak trees)

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Genetic Diversity

the range of different inherited traits within a species (ex. different dog breeds)

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Habitat Diversity

the range of habitats present in a region (ex. desert, grasslands, oceans)

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Taxonomy

how organisms are classified

<p>how organisms are classified</p>
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Eubacteria

single-celled, no organelles (ex. E. coli, salmonella)

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Eukaryota

1+ cells, have organelles (ex. fish, trees, dolphin)

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Archea bacteria

single-celled, unique biochemistry, extremophiles (ex. cyanobacteria)

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Viruses

NOT ALIVE - protein, not a domain (ex. COVID, flu)

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Binomial Nomenclature

2-system identifying name used worldwide, "Genus species" (italicized)

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Phylogenetic Tree

diagram that depicts the lines of evolutionary descent of different species, organisms, or genes from a common ancestor

<p>diagram that depicts the lines of evolutionary descent of different species, organisms, or genes from a common ancestor</p>
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Fungi

organisms that use glucose (ex. yeast, molds, mushrooms, and toadstools; separate from green plants)

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Plants

organisms that create glucose through photosynthesis (ex. grass, trees)

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Animals

organisms that use glucose (ex. humans, bears, tigers)

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Protists

organisms that both make and use glucose; single-celled (ex. sea lettuce, kelp)

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Species

A group of organisms that are closely related, who can mate to produce fertile offspring. All of the cats are feline, but each cat is a different species. "Genus species" name

<p>A group of organisms that are closely related, who can mate to produce fertile offspring. All of the cats are feline, but each cat is a different species. &quot;Genus species&quot; name</p>
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Population

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.

<p>A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.</p>
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Species life history

the pattern of survival and reproduction events typical for a member of the species (aka life cycle)

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Habitat

Place where an organism lives

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Niche

An organism's particular role in an ecosystem, or how it makes its living

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Intrinsic rate of growth "r"

maximum rate of annual growth under ideal physical conditions

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Population limiting factors

The reason why organisms don't reach "r" : biotic (predation, parasites/disease, competition) abiotic (weather, viruses)

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Intraspecific competition

within the same species (ex. 2 wolves fighting over a dead fox)

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Interspecific competition

between different species (ex. an alligator and a lion fighting over a buffalo)

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Exponential Growth

J-curve, rate of growth is constantly increasing over time

<p>J-curve, rate of growth is constantly increasing over time</p>
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Logistic Growth

S-curve, rate of growth grows then shrinks because of carrying capacity

<p>S-curve, rate of growth grows then shrinks because of carrying capacity</p>
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Carrying Capacity "k"

maximum number of individuals an environment can support over a period of time; limits a population (over k = die off)

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Community

A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.

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Symbiosis

A close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species

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Mutualism

A relationship between two species in which both species benefit (ex. birds cleaning hippo's teeth)

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Parasitism

A relationship between two organisms of different species where one benefits and the other is harmed (ex. tick on a dog)

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Commensalism

A relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected (ex. burrs) - rarest!

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Resource Partitioning

the division of resources to avoid interspecific competition for limited resources in an ecosystem; each organism occupies a different niche

<p>the division of resources to avoid interspecific competition for limited resources in an ecosystem; each organism occupies a different niche</p>
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Population Cycles

populations rise and fall over a predictable period of time

  • predator population is usually less than prey population

  • lag time due to reproduction delay

<p>populations rise and fall over a predictable period of time</p><ul><li><p>predator population is usually less than prey population</p></li><li><p>lag time due to reproduction delay</p></li></ul>
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Why are nutrients recycled in an ecosystem?

Decomposers break down dead organisms into nutrients and gases so that they can be used by other organisms

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Carbon Cycle

most of carbon is stored in the atmosphere (CO2), plants absorb it and turn carbon into glucose

<p>most of carbon is stored in the atmosphere (CO2), plants absorb it and turn carbon into glucose</p>
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Why is carbon important?

Carbon has 4 valence electrons, so it’s good at bonding to make other molecules. In other words, Carbon is the building blocks for many different chemicals.

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Phosphorus

Phosphorous is used to make genetic material, and help make ATP, which allows organisms to store and release energy.

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Sulfur

Sulfur gives proteins structure, and the proteins make us the way we are.

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Nitrogen

Nitrogen is required to make amino acids, proteins, and genetic material, which are essential to life.

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Tundra biome

low temperatures, little precipitation

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Desert biome

little rainfall, extremely cold or hot

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Forest biome

dominated by trees; temperate forests, tropical forests, and boreal forests

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Grasslands biome

dominated by grass; warm, dry climate

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Aquatic biome

freshwater and marine biomes

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1st Law of Energy (Conservation)

regarding quantity/amount of energy energy is neither created nor destroyed

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2nd Law of Energy

regarding quality/type of energy energy changes form over time and eventually becomes unusable

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Entropy

the measure of the quality of the energy in the universe any exchange of energy=waste heat and increase in entropy

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Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

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Energy Pyramid

A diagram that shows the amount of energy that moves from one trophic level to another in an ecosystem.

<p>A diagram that shows the amount of energy that moves from one trophic level to another in an ecosystem.</p>
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Plant Chemical Reactions

  • plants capture solar E

  • transform solar energy -> chemical energy (glucose)

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Animal Chemical Reactions

  • transform glucose -> ATP

  • transform ATP -> kinetic energy (ability to move around and function)

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Food Chain

hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.

<p>hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.</p>
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Food Web

combination of all of the food chains in an ecosystem

<p>combination of all of the food chains in an ecosystem</p>
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Biomass

Total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level

<p>Total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level</p>
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