Ecology Exam 1

Biotic

living

Abiotic

non-living

Ecosystem services

the benefits that humans gain from the natural environment from properly-functioning ecosystems.

Anthropocene

geological time where there is significant human impact on Earth’s ecosystems

organism

survival and reproduction; the unit of natural selection

population

population dynamics; the unit of evolution

community

interactions among populations

ecosystem

energy flux and cycling of nutrients

biosphere

global processes

mathematical models

model is an hypothesis and yields predictions that can be tested

field study

<span>research conducted in natural environments to observe and analyze ecological processes

lab study

Tightly controlled, replicated but may lack realism or
unpredictability found in nature

Microcosm

replicate essential features of the system in a laboratory or field setting

adaptation

a trait that an organism has that allows them to be more fit for their
environment

fitness

the likelihood that an individual will reproduce and the number of offspring

natural selection

Differential success of individuals within a population due to
their interaction with their environment

phenotypic plasticity

The ability of one genotype to produce more than one phenotype
when exposed to different environments

acclimation

Physiological, biochemical or anatomical modification occurring of an individual organism due to environmental change

norm of reaction

set of phenotypes expressed by a single genotype across a range of environmental conditions

cline

measurable, gradual change over a geographic region in phenotypic and/or genetic variation typically due to environmental heterogeneity

ecotype

population that is adapted to local environmental conditions

tolerance limits

The adaptation of an organism to its environment is exhibited by
the ability to function between some upper and lower limits within
a range of environmental conditions

fundamental niche

Potential distribution

realized niche

Actual distribution dueinteractions with other organisms

photosynthesis

Key function to transform inorganic carbon to organic carbon

transpiration

Loss of water from the plant through the stomata

heterotroph

Consumption of C via consuming other organisms

assimilation

Process by which plants and animals convert absorbed nutrients into complex organic molecules\

autotrophs

Fixation of CO2

boundary layer

The region of the atmosphere or water immediately adjacent to a surface, where the effects of friction reduce wind speed or water flow.

anaerobic

Describes processes that occur in the absence of oxygen, such as fermentation or certain respiration pathways.

stomata

Small openings on the surfaces of leaves that allow for gas exchange

torpor

hibernation

homeostasis

the ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions when faced with a varying external environment

How are humans impacting ecological systems?

managing resources and economy

Provisioning services

Refer to the benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including food, fresh water, and raw materials.

Regulating services

include the benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, such as climate regulation, water purification, and pollination.

Cultural services

encompass the non-material benefits people gain from ecosystems, including aesthetic, spiritual, and recreational value.

Supporting services

ecosystem functions such as evolution or nutrient cycling

Which are biotic factors?

All of the above

T/F Ecology is a relatively new field of science.

True

Ecology definition

Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Which are abiotic factors?

All of the above

What are the 4 key ideas of natural selection

Overproduction, variation, selection, adaptation

What is sexual selection?

A form of selection in which individuals with certain inherited
characteristics are more likely than other individuals to obtain mates

What can result from sexual selection?

sexual dimorphism

How does water move through the plant?

Taken through roots, up to leaves, and exits from stomata

What plant structures regulate water movement?

Stomata and roots

What morphological adaptations have plants made to deal with drought?

Develop roots more and respirate at night

Ectotherm

when an organism's body heat is derived from its external environment

Endotherm

when body heat is derived from metabolic heat. They maintain an internal body temperature (by homeostasis)

poikilotherms

(thermal conformers) have a variable body temperature (usually are ectotherms)

homeotherms

(thermal regulators) maintain a constant body temperature (usually are endotherms)