Ecology and Ecosystem Interactions

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to ecology, ecosystems, biotic and abiotic factors, food chains, adaptations, and more.

What is Ecology?

The study of the interactions between living organisms and their physical and chemical (non-living) environment.

What comprises an ecosystem?

All the living and non-living things in an environment and the different ways in which they interact.

What are the components of the biosphere?

All areas on Earth where life exists.

What is a biome?

A group of ecosystems having the same climate and dominant assemblages of plants and animals.

What is a community in ecological terms?

Several to many populations of different species living in one area.

What is an organism in ecological terms?

One member of a species.

What are abiotic factors in an environment?

Non-living components of the environment such as temperature, light, water, and minerals.

What are biotic factors in an environment ?

Living organisms in an environment that compete for resources like food, water, and space.

Define producers in an ecosystem.

Organisms, primarily plants and algae, that make their own food through photosynthesis.

What is the role of consumers in an ecosystem?

Organisms that cannot make their own food and must eat other organisms to gain energy.

What are decomposers?

Organisms that break down dead material and waste, returning nutrients to the soil.

What is a food chain?

A simple, linear series of steps showing the transfer of energy between organisms as one eats another.

What is a food web?

A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

How much energy is transferred to the next trophic level?

Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level.

What happens when there is a disturbance in an ecosystem?

It can cause imbalances that affect all organisms in the ecosystem.

What adaptations do hydrophytes have?

Large, flat leaves to float and maximize photosynthesis, thin stems to withstand currents, and stomata on the upper surface for gas exchange.

What adaptations do xerophytes have for survival in the desert?

Thick cuticles, small leaves, hairy surfaces to trap moisture, and vibrant flowers to attract pollinators.

What is camouflage in predator avoidance?

The adaptation where an organism's body is similar in color or shape to its environment.

What is mimicry in animal adaptations?

When a harmless species copies the coloring of a poisonous one to avoid predation.