Ecology: Key Concepts, Relationships, and Ecosystem Dynamics

What is an individual?

A single organism capable of being independent.

What is a population?

Groups of organisms of the same species.

What is a community?

Populations of different species.

What is an ecosystem?

All of the abiotic and biotic factors.

What is a biosphere?

All living things.

What is the difference between a community and an ecosystem?

A community is a population of different species while an ecosystem includes all living and nonliving things.

What are abiotic factors? Give examples.

Nonliving factors; examples include sunlight, water, and rock.

What are biotic factors? Give examples.

Living factors; examples include flies, plants, and fish.

What is a biome?

An area classified according to the species living there.

How does the climate of a biome affect organisms?

It affects organisms through temperature and physical adaptations necessary for survival.

What is a climograph?

A graphical representation of a location's climate; showing monthly temperature and precipitation.

What are producers? Give examples.

Organisms that can make their own food; examples include grass, algae, and trees.

What are consumers? What are the three types?

Organisms that obtain energy from other organisms; types include Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary consumers.

What is the difference between a regulator and a conformer?

A regulator can manage their own body temperature, while a conformer relies on the external environment.

What is the difference between adaptation and acclimation?

An adaptation is a long-term change, while acclimation is a short-term reversible change.

What is dormancy?

An inactive period in an organism's life cycle that helps it survive unfavorable conditions.

What is a niche?

An organism's role/position in its ecosystem.

How does competition arise in a niche?

Competition arises when two species occupy the same niche and compete for resources.

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

A food chain is a linear sequence showing energy flow, while a food web is an interconnected set of food chains.

What is a trophic level?

The position of an organism in a sequence of energy transfers.

What is the 10% rule of energy transfer?

Only 10% of the energy consumed is transferred to the next trophic level; 90% is lost as heat or used for metabolic purposes.

What is mutualism? Give an example.

A relationship where both species benefit; example: oxpeckers and cows.

What is parasitism? Give an example.

A relationship where one species benefits at the expense of another; example: flea and a dog.

What is commensalism? Give an example.

A relationship where one species benefits while the other is unaffected; example: tree and squirrel.

What is predation? Give an example.

When one organism captures and eats another; example: fox and rabbit.

What is competition? Give an example.

Interaction where organisms compete for limited resources; example: animals hunting the same prey.