AP Bio: Ecology Vocab

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions related to animal behavior, ecological factors, and biological processes.

reflex

An automatic, involuntary, nearly instantaneous response to a stimulus.

instinct

An innate, unlearned, genetically determined behavior pattern that is specific to a species.

communication

A transfer of information from one organism to another using signals or behaviors.

pheromones

A secreted chemical substance that triggers a social response in other members of the same species.

taxis

A directed movement of an organism/cell in response to an external stimulus.

chemotaxis

Movement in response to a chemical stimulus.

phototaxis

Movement in response to a light source.

kinesis

Random or non-directional movement of an organism in response to a stimulus.

imprinting

A form of learning where young animals attach to the first moving object they see.

innate behavior

Genetically determined behavior guaranteeing certain performance after natural selection.

learned behavior

Behavior that offers flexibility and adaptability to changing environments.

habituation

An organism’s response to repeated stimuli decreases over time.

associative learning

Learning to associate one event/stimulus with another, leading to behavior change.

classical conditioning

A neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned, automatic response.

operant conditioning

Learning to associate a specific behavior with particular consequences.

migration

Seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.

monogamy

A mating system where a single male or female forms a pair bond.

polygamy

A mating system where an individual has more than one mate simultaneously.

polygynous

A type of polygamy where one male mates with many females.

polyandrous

A type of polygamy where one female mates with many males.

sexual selection

A form of natural selection where certain traits are favored for mating.

dominance hierarchy

A social structure where individuals are ranked based on dominance.

altruism

Behaviors that benefit others at a cost to the actor's own fitness.

reciprocal altruism

An organism acts to temporarily reduce its own fitness with an expectation of return.

kin selection

Natural selection prioritizing survival of kin, even at personal cost.

inclusive fitness

The ability to pass on genes, considering both direct and indirect fitness.

agonistic

Aggressive behaviors, threats, and submission that benefit individuals.

fixed action patterns (FADs)

Rare, stereotyped actions triggered by a specific sign stimulus. The action must always be performed to completion.

learning

Modification of behavior resulting from specific experiences.

ethology

The study of animal learning and behavior under natural conditions.

competitive foraging

Animals compete for food, with the fittest getting the largest share.

cooperative foraging

Animals work together and share food/resources.

territoriality

Behavior used to protect exclusive rights to vital resources.

sexual dimorphism

Differences in appearance between males and females of the same species.

abiotic factors

Non-living factors influencing an environment.

biotic factors

Living factors influencing an environment.

population

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area. Can interbreed.

density-dependent factors

Environmental constraints affecting growth rate based on density.

density-independent factors

Constraints affecting population growth rate regardless of population density.

logistic growth

Population growth influenced by size and natural resistance.

exponential growth

Unrestricted growth of a population when resources are unlimited.

community

All interacting populations of different species in an area.

competitive exclusion principle

Two species can't coexist in the exact same niche.

ecological niche

The role and position a species occupies in its environment.

resource partitioning

Coexistence of species by sharing resources.

biomass

The total mass of organic matter in a specific area.

cryptic coloration

Camouflage; using color patterns to blend into the environment.

aposematic coloration

Warning coloration indicating that an animal is dangerous.

symbiosis

A close, prolonged association between two or more species.

commensalism

A type of symbiosis where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits to the detriment of another.

invasive species

Non-native organisms causing ecological or economic harm.

trophic level

Any step in a food chain or ecosystem.

primary succession

Colonization of previously barren land.

secondary succession

Recolonization of land after a disturbance.

greenhouse effect

Gases absorbing solar energy and reflecting it back to Earth.

orographic effect

The rain shadow effect caused by mountains.

albedo

The ability of a surface to absorb heat.

productivity

The measure of chemical energy generated through photosynthesis.

biological magnification

Increase in toxin concentration up the food chain.

acid precipitation

Precipitation containing acidic components.

eutrophication

Nutrient accumulation in water leading to algal blooms.

pollution

Environmental degradation by excess organic matter or chemicals.

assimilative capacity

The rate of recycling an environment can handle.

ammonification

Decomposing organic nitrogen into ammonium.

End product: NH4+

NH2 or NH3 → NH4+

nitrification

Turning ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates.

End product: NO3

NH4+ → NO2 → NO3

nitrogen fixation

Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form by bacteria (in the roots of legumes).

End product: NO3

N2 → NH4+, then NH4+ → NO3

denitrification

Conversion of nitrates back into nitrogen gas.

Very rare—only in over-fertilized fields

End product: N2

NO3 → N2