Ecological Niches and Feeding Adaptations

These flashcards cover key concepts related to ecology, ecological niches, and feeding adaptations.

Ecology

The study of the relationships between living organisms and their physical environment.

Niche

The unique role that a species plays in a community and where the organism lives.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time.

Community

A group of different populations living and interacting in a specific area.

Ecosystem

A community and its abiotic environment, including both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors.

Fundamental Niche

The potential niche an organism could inhabit given its adaptations and tolerance limits.

Realized Niche

The actual niche that an organism occupies, influenced by competition and other factors.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

No two species can occupy the same niche at the same time.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain food from organic matter, including consumers like herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Mixotrophs

Organisms that can both synthesize their own food and obtain food from organic matter.

Chemosynthesis

The process of making food from inorganic molecules without using sunlight.

Detrivores

Organisms that consume dead organic matter and are important decomposers.

Saprotrophs

Decomposers that release enzymes to break down dead organic matter externally.

Holozoic Nutrition

The process where organisms ingest food and digest it internally.

Carnivores

Organisms that eat primarily meat.

Herbivores

Organisms that eat primarily plants.

Omnivores

Organisms that eat both plants and animals.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.