Biology - Ecology Review

Ecology

The study of interactions among and between organisms and the surroundings

Levels of Ecological Organization

Biosphere → Biome → Ecosystem → Community → Population → Individual

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Population

A group of individuals/organisms that belong to the same species and live in the same area

Community

All the different populations that live together in an area

Biosphere

part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere

Producers (autotrophs)

organisms that make their own food

Two Methods of Food Production

Photosynthesis and Chemosynthesis

Examples of Producers:

trees, shrubs, grass, weeds

Consumers (heterotrophs)

organisms that get their own food from the environment

Herbivores

plant eaters (ex. koalas)

Carnivores

meat eaters (ex. lions)

Omnivores

plant and meat eaters (ex. grizzly bears)

Detritivores

eat decayed organic material (ex. earthworms)

Decomposers

break down dead/organic material (ex. fungi, bacteria)

Scavengers

eat road kill (ex. vultures)

Food Chain

A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

Food Web

A community of organisms where there are several interrelated food chains

What components are included in a food chain?

1. Producers (Autotrophs)

2. Primary Consumers (Herbivores

3. Secondary Consumers (Carnivores/Omnivores)

4. Tertiary Consumers (larger Carnivores/Omnivores)

5. Decomposers and Detritivores

Predation

An ecological interaction where one organism (the predator) kills and consumes another living organism (the prey) for energy and nutrients

Ecological Pyramids

A diagram that shows the amounts of energy or matter that is contained within each level of a food chain or web

What are the 3 types of ecological pyramids?

Energy, Biomass, and Numbers. Also, greatest amount of the type is on the bottom of the pyramid.

Climate

The average, year to year conditions of a particular area. Focuses on a temperature and precipitation

The Greenhouse Effect

This is where certain atmospheric gases trap heat energy to maintain the earth's temperature

What are the 3 types of main climate zones based on latitude?

Polar, Temperate, and Tropical

Biotic Factors

living factors

Abiotic Factors

non-living factors

Niche

An organism's job description (ex. food and temperature of it's habitat)

Competition

Symbiosis: Mutualism

both organisms benefit

Symbiosis: Commensalism

one organism benefits, other is harmed/hurt

Symbiosis: Parasitism

one organism benefits, other is not harmed or helped

Parasites

lives on/in another organism for its nutrients

Exotic/Invasive Species

species introduced to an environment that is not native to

Biomagnification

describes how a toxin can "increase" in percentage as it moves through a food chain

Primary Succession

occurs on surfaces where no soil exists

Secondary Succession

occurs when soil is still present

Ecological Succession

Ecosystems change due to humans and to nature. Old inhabitants die out and new ones move in, thus changing the community.

Biodiversity

a source of foods, products, and even medicines