Lesson 1: Adaptations

Abiotic Factor

Non-living factors that affect organisms in an ecosystem, such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight.

Biotic Factor

Living factors in an ecosystem that impact organisms, including other organisms like producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Ecological Niche

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

Fundamental Niche

All the environmental conditions where a species is able to live.

Realized Niche

The actual space and conditions where a species lives, where it is best adapted to reproduce.

Tolerance

The range of conditions that an organism can withstand

Innate Behaviour

Behaviours that are inherited and automatic responses, not learned.

Learned Behaviour

Behaviours that result from practice, experimentation, or observation.

Adaptive Behaviour

A trait or behaviour that contributes to an organism's survival and reproduction in response to environmental changes.

Structural Adaptation

Adaptations involving the physical structure of an organism

Behavioural Adaptation

Adaptations involving the behaviour of an organism in response to stimuli.

Physiological Adaptation

Adaptations involving the chemical processes within an organism's body.

Receptors

Sense organs that collect information about environmental conditions.

Effectors

Muscles and glands that respond to stimuli based on signals received from the central nervous system.

Behaviour

Anything an animal does in response to an environmental stimulus