ECOLOGY, SYMBIOSIS, ENERGY PYRAMIDS

SCIENCE EXAM 1

ecology

The study of the relationships among organisms and their environment

what do ecologists study

environments at different levels of organization

organism

individual living thing, such as an alligator

population

group of the same species that live in one area

community

a group of different species (populations) that lives together in one area

ecosystem

includes all of the organisms as well as the climate, soil, water, rocks, and other nonliving things in a given area

biome

a major regional or global community of organisms characterized by the climate conditions and plan communities that thrive there

What is a biotic factor

living things (plants, animals, fungi)

what is an abiotic factor

nonliving things (moisture, temperature, sunlight)

Biodiversity

the assortment or variety of living things in an ecosystem

Keystone species

a species that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem, they form and maintain a complex web of life

symbiosis

the act of living together

mutualism

both organisms benefit

Commensalism

one organism benefits, one is unnaffected

Parasitism

one organism benefits, one organism is harmed

Energy Pyramid

What does the trophic levels start with

the sun!

1st Level of the Trophic Pyramid

Produceres

2nd Level of the Trophic Pyramid

Primary Consumers (herbivores or omnivores)

3rd Level of the Trophic Pyramid

Secondary Consumers (omnivores or carnivores)

4th Level of the Trophic Pyramid

Tertiary Consumers (omnivores or carnivores)

What is the 10% rule?

You only get 10% of the lower trophic level to the next