Bio term 1

Ecosystem

Community of organisms interacting with their environment.

Terrestrial Ecosystem

Land-based ecosystems like forests and deserts.

Aquatic Ecosystem

Water-based ecosystems including marine and freshwater.

Distribution

Location where an organism is found.

Abundance

Number of individuals in an ecosystem.

Biotic Factors

Living components affecting ecosystem dynamics.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components affecting ecosystems.

Selection Pressures

Factors influencing survival and reproduction.

Competition

Interaction for limited resources among organisms.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition among members of the same species.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species.

Predation

Predator kills and consumes prey.

Predator-Prey Dynamics

Fluctuating populations of predators and prey.

Disease

Adverse effects on organism functioning.

Symbiosis

Close interactions between two organisms.

Mutualism

Both species benefit from the interaction.

Commensalism

One species benefits, the other is unaffected.

Parasitism

One species benefits at the expense of another.

Ecological Niche

Role and resource use of an organism.

Fundamental Niche

Ideal conditions for species survival.

Realised Niche

Actual conditions occupied due to competition.

Resource Partitioning

Different species use slightly different resources.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Two species cannot coexist if competing for resources.

Population Ecology

Study of factors affecting population sizes.

Population Density

Individuals per unit area or volume.

Carrying Capacity

Maximum population size an area can support.

Measuring Species

Methods to track species abundance and distribution.

Quadrats

Sampling method for stationary organisms.

Mark Recapture

Estimating population size using captured individuals.

Steno's Laws

Principles for understanding rock layer relationships.

Catastrophism

Earth changes due to sudden events.

Gradualism

Slow changes over time in geological processes.

Banded Iron Formations

Rocks indicating atmospheric changes over time.

Microfossils

Fossils providing insights into early life.

Ice Core Drilling

Method to study past atmospheric conditions.

Fossils

Remains or evidence of past life.

Radiometric Dating

Dating method based on radioactive decay.

Human Induced Changes

Impact of human activities on ecosystems.

Levels of Endangerment

Categories indicating species conservation status.

Biodiversity

Variety of life forms in an area.

Genetic Diversity

Variation within a species enhancing resilience.

Species Diversity

Variety of different species in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem Diversity

Variety of ecosystems across broader areas.

Superposition

The ordering of sedimentary layers of rock with the oldest on the bottom and the youngest on top

Original horizontality

Principle stating that sedimentary rocks are deposited in horizontal and if changed, occurred afterwards

Lateral continuity

Stratum of rocks will be continuous until something disturbs them

Cross cutting relationship

In any rock sequence the layer that crosses or intrudes another is the youngest layer