apes unit 1: the living world (ecosystems)

6-8%

ecosystem

an ___ is a community of living (biotic) organisms interacting with non-living organisms (abiotic) components of their environment where energy flows and materials cycle (nutrients / energy)

organism

__ is a living thing that can function on its own

species

a __ is a group of genetically similar organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring (similar behavior)

interspecific

___ means existing or occurring between different species

population

a ___ is a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area and interact with one another

community

a ___ is a group of different populations that coexist in a specific area and interact with one another.

ecological niche

____ includes the physical space / area occupied by an organism but also its functional role in the community

• the role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors

physical environment

___ influences how organisms affect and are affected by their surroundings, including climate, soil, and available resources / competitors

niche

a ___ is the specific adaptations that a species has acquired through adaptation, including:

• habitat

• interactions w/ living and nonliving factors

• role in the food web

• types / amounts of resources available

generalists

___ species can thrive in diverse environments and utilize a variety of resources, and have the following characteristics:

• able to survive on a wide variety of food resources

• able to withstand a wide range of env. conditions

• tend to have broad niches and habitat preferences (e.g. humans, mice)

specialists

—- species have narrow niches and specific resource requirements, often becoming highly adapted to their particular environments.

• prone to extinction and very sensitive to environmental chnage

• specific / limited food resources

• narrow niches (e.g. pandas, koalas, gorillas)

symbiosis

___ is a term used to describe any type of close / long term biological interaction between different biological organisms of the same or different species

• can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral to one or both parties involved

amenalism

___ is the interaction between two species where one suffers and the other is not affected. ex) the walnut tree releases a chemical that kills nearby plants

commensalism

__ is a type of symbiotic relationship between two species where one benefits and the other is not affected

forms of commensalism include using another organism for transportation, as a habitat (housing), or using something that another organism created

competition

is the interaction between organisms or species in which they vie for the same resources, such as food, space, or mates, often leading to a negative impact on one or both parties.

can be intraspecific (within same species) or interspecific (different species)

is prominent in predator-prey relationships (predator seeks prey, prey seeks survival)

mutualism

is a type of symbiotic relationship between two species in which both parties benefit from the interaction. ex) pollinators and flowering plants

parasitism

is a type of symbiotic relationship between two species where one organism benefits at the expense of the other, often harming it in the process.

ex) ticks feeding on mammals or tapeworms inhabiting the intestines of their hosts.

predation

is an ecological interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts and consumes another organism, the prey

types of