Biology Test - Ecological Succession

Primary Succession

The process of ecological development that occurs in an area where no previous life or soil exists, such as on bare rock, lava flows, or sand dunes.

Secondary Succession

The process of ecological recovery and development that occurs in an area where an ecosystem previously existed bit was disturbed or destroyed, leaving the soil intact.

Disturbance

Any temporary change in environmental conditions that disrupts an ecosystem, community, or population structure,

Climax Community

The final, stable stage of ecological succession in an ecosystem.

Pioneer Species

The first organisms to colonize barren or disturbed environments, initiating ecological succession by creating conditions that support other species.

Immigration

The movement of organisms into a population or habitat from another location, increasing the population size and genetic diversity.

Density

The number of individuals of a species within a specific unit of area or volume in a given habitat.

Distribution

The arrangement or spread of organisms across a geographic area or within a specific habitat.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support over time, given the available resources, such as food, water, and shelter.

Emigration

The movement of individuals out of a population or habitat to another area, often in search of better resources or environmental conditions.

Growth Rate

The change in the size or number of individuals in a population over a specific period of time, often expressed as a percentage.

Apex Predator

A species at the top of the food chain, with no natural predators.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance or biomass.

Density Dependent

Factors that influence population size or growth based on the population’s density.

Density Independent

Factors that affect population size or growth regardless of the population’s density.

Population Growth Limits

Factors that restrict the growth of a population.

Primary Succession

The process of ecological change that occurs in an area that has never been previously inhabited, such as after a volcanic eruption or glacial retreat.

Secondary Succession

The process of ecological change that occurs in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community, bu the soil remains intact.

Lichens

Symbiotic organisms composed of a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually algae or cyanobacteria.

Provisioning Services

The products obtained from ecosystems that directly benefit humans, such as food, water, timber, medicinal plants, and fibers.

Regulating Services

The benefits ecosystems provide by regulating natural processes, such as climate regulation, water purification, pollination, and disease control.

Supporting Services

The ecosystem services that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services.

Cultural Services

The non-material benefits that ecosystems provide to humans, such as recreational, spiritual, educational, and aesthetic experiences.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer found in plant cells, fungi, bacteria, and some algae.

Chloroplast

AN organelle found in plant cells and some algae.

Stomata

Small openings or pores found on the surface of leaves and stems of plants.

ATP

A molecule that carries and stores energy in cells.

Aerobic

Processes or organisms that require oxygen to service or function.

Anerobic

Processes or organisms that do not require oxygen to survive or function.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH in the process.