Organism and Its Environment (Organismal Ecology)

These flashcards cover key concepts in organismal ecology and population ecology as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is autecology in ecology?

The study of individual organisms and how they relate to their environment.

What is synecology in ecology?

The study of groups of organisms and their interactions with the environment.

Define homeostasis.

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment in an organism.

What are endotherms?

Organisms that obtain heat by producing it internally through metabolic reactions.

What is the difference between fundamental niche and realized niche?

Fundamental niche includes all conditions suitable for survival and reproduction, while realized niche accounts for interactions with other species.

What is a population in ecological terms?

A group of individuals of a single species inhabiting a specific area.

What does the Lotka-Volterra model describe?

It describes the dynamics of predator and prey populations and their interactions.

What is density-dependent regulation?

Factors that influence a population in proportion to its size.

What is the difference between r-strategists and K-strategists?

r-strategists have high reproductive rates and thrive in unstable environments, while K-strategists produce fewer offspring and are adapted to stable environments.

What does the term 'biological determinants' refer to in human population studies?

Factors such as age, health, and nutrition that affect birth rates and survival.

What are the three types of age structure in populations?

Expanding, stable (stationary), and declining.