Biology test

intraspecific relationship

between organisms that are the same species.

interspecific relationship

between an organism and other species

community

an interacting group of various species in a common location.

species

a group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and produce fertile offspring.

population

a group of organisms living in the same geographical area at the same time

Mutualistic Relationships

Both species benefit from the relationship.

abiotic factors

a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment. In a terrestrial ecosystem, examples might include temperature, light, and water

Predation

One species (predator) hunts and consumes another species (prey).

Parasitism

One species (parasite) benefits at the expense of another species (host).

why there are 4-5 trophic levels

There is only a 10% flow of energy from one trophic level to the next higher level. The energy loss at each step is so great that minimal usable remains after four or five trophic levels.

Commensalism

One species benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited.

Competition

Two or more species compete for limited resources.

Predation and Parasitism

Combination of predation and parasitism.

Symbiosis

Close and long-term interaction between different species.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem that directly or indirectly influence organisms within it.

organisms

an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.

Producers

Plants and some bacteria that convert sunlight energy into organic compounds through photosynthesis.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Decomposers

Bacteria and fungi that break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients.

Predation and Herbivory

Interactions between predators and prey, as well as herbivores and plants.

Competition

Occurs when organisms compete for limited resources.

Symbiotic Relationships

Close interactions between different species, including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Disease and Parasites

Diseases and parasites that affect organisms within an ecosystem.

Human Influence

Human activities that impact biotic factors.

Food Chain

Linear sequence of organisms where each organism serves as a source of food for the next.

Energy Levels

Different trophic levels representing the position of an organism in a food chain.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores that eat plants or algae.

Secondary Consumers

Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumers

Carnivores that eat secondary consumers.

Carbon Cycle

Through food chains, the carbon that is in plants moves to the animals that eat them. Animals that eat other animals get the carbon from their food too. Carbon moves from plants and animals to soils. When plants and animals die, their bodies, wood and leaves decay bringing the carbon into the ground.

invasive species

animals or plants from another region of the world that don't belong in their new environment. They can be introduced to an area by ship ballast water, accidental release, and most often, by people.

Exponential phase (graph)

affected by birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration. If a population is given unlimited amounts of food, moisture, oxygen, and other environmental factors, it will show _____

plateau phase (graph)

Here, the population size is constant so no more growth is occurring. This is the result of the birth rate being equal to the mortality rate and is caused by resources becoming scarce as well as an increase in predators, diseases and parasites.

transitional phase

a point where the birth rate drops and the death rate rises. This occurs due to reduced resources and increased predator and disease pressures, leading to a slowing of population growth.