Introduction to Biology - Chapter 19 (Communities & Ecosystems)

Interbreeding of Species

act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants to make hybrids

Biotic

living things

Abiotic

Non-living things

Habitat

Place where an organism lives

Niche

all resources required for survival, growth, & reproduction

Earth has diverse...

climates

Equinox

- occurs two times a year

- Sun is directly above Earth's equator

Vernal/Spring Equinox

March 21; first day of spring

Autumnal Equinox

September 22nd; first day of fall

Solstice

- occurs two times a year

- Sun reaches its highest/lowest point in the sky for the year

Summer Solstice

longest day of the year; shortest night of the year

Winter Solstice

shortest day of the year; longest night of the year

Rain Shadow

rain falls on the windward side of mountain leaving other side dry

Biomes

major types of ecosystems

Terrestrial ecosystems (land)

forests, deserts, & grasslands

Marine/Water ecosystems

coral reef, lakes, streams, & oceans

Chemosynthesis

A process by which food is made by bacteria or other living things using chemicals as an energy source.

What type of organisms typically perform chemosynthesis?

Bacteria or other living things.

What is the energy source used in chemosynthesis?

Chemicals.

Photosynthesis & Chemosynthesis

processes in autotrophs; allow food productions

Estuary

where rivers meet ocean tides

Intertidal zone

area between the highest tide & lowest tide marks

Photic zone

layer of water with sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis

Aphotic zone

layer of water with INSUFFICIENT light available for photosynthesis

Continental shelf

the edge of a continent that lies under the ocean

Competition

two or more organisms fight for same resources

Resource partitioning

multiple organisms use the same resources, but in a different way/different times

Symbiosis

A close relationship between two species; one lives on/in another

Mutualism

both organisms benefit

Commensalism

one organism benefits & other is not harmed

Paratism

one organism benefits & other is harmed

Types of Consumers

herbivores, carnivores, omnivores

Herbivores

Organisms that eat only plants.

Carnivores

organisms that eat only animals

Omnivores

organisms that eat both plants & animals

Predation

one animal feeds/kills on another animal

Predator Cooperation

hunting in groups & sharing prey

Herbivory

herbivore feeds on producers/plants

Prey Defense Adaptations

prey animals must be on lookout & escape/defend themselves

Prey Adaptation Types

camouflage, senses, warning signals, defensive weapons, behavioral adaptations

Food chain

A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

What does a food chain represent?

1 path of energy transfer in an ecosystem.

Food web

A community of organisms where there are several interrelated food chains

What does a food web represent?

all possible energy paths

Detritus

dead tissue & organic waste-like feces

Decomposers

Organisms that break down the dead remains of other organisms

Keystone species

Any species whose removal/reduction from ecosystem affects the diversity & stability of it

Succession

gradual change in a community's species composition

Primary succession

occurs in an area where no community previously existed

Secondary succession

occurs where a community is disturbed but not destroyed

Bioaccumulation

increase in concentration or a pollutant in an organism

Biomagnification

increase in concentration of a pollutant in a food chain

Biogeochemical Cycle

recycling of elements among organisms & environment

Biogeochemical Storage Reservoirs

Atmosphere, Water, Organisms, & Rocks/soil

Persistent Organic Pollutants

toxic chemicals in the environment that affect human health, environment, & other life forms

Sources of POP's

vehicle exhaust fumes, volcano eruptions, & agricultural practices

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

group of synthetic chemicals composed of mainly carbon & fluorine

PFA's nickname

"forever chemicals"

PFAs Health Affects

liver damage, cholesterol change, & decreased antibody response

PFA's Everyday Items

Personal Care Products, Paint, Cosmetics, & Photography

VOC's

volatile organic chemicals

VOC's location

float in atmosphere; airborne

volatile

potential to catch on fire

SVOC's

semi-volatile organic chemicals

SVOC's location

not airborne, but settle on physical matter

Water Cycle

The continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back

Water Cycle steps

evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation

Evaporation

Liquid to gas

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant

Condensation

Gas to liquid

Precipitation

rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.

Nitrogen fixation

converts atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for living organisms

Phosphorus Cycle

The movement of phosphorus around the biosphere

1. Define biotic and abiotic. Give an example of each

(biotic)

living things in ecosystem

1. Biotic examples

plants & animals

1. Define biotic and abiotic. Give an example of each

(abiotic)

non-living things in ecosystem

1. Abiotic examples

rocks & sunlight

2. Distinguish between habitat and niche

(Habitat)

Place where an organism lives

2. Distinguish between habitat and niche

(Niche)

all resources required for survival, growth, & reproduction

3. Define Equinox and Solstice.

(Equinox)

- occurs two times a year

- Sun is directly above Earth's equator

3. When does Equinox occur?

Spring (First Day of Spring)& Autumnal (First Day of Fall)(March 21 & September 22nd)

3. Define Equinox and Solstice.

(Solstice)

- occurs two times a year

- Sun reaches its highest/lowest point in the sky for the year

3. When does Solstice occur?

Summer (longest day of year) & Winter Solstice (longest night of year)

4. List two factors that affect Earth's climate

sunlight distribution & atmospheric circulation

5. Compare and contrast photosynthesis and chemosynthesis

(Differences)

Photosynthesis: uses sunlight

Chemosynthesis: uses chemicals

5. Compare and contrast photosynthesis and chemosynthesis

(Similarities)

Both forms of autotrophic nutrition

6. Define photic zone

layer of water with sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis

7. What is resource partitioning?

multiple organisms use the same resources, but in a different way/different times

8. What is a keystone species?

Any species whose removal/reduction from ecosystem affects the diversity & stability of it

9. What are POPs?

toxic chemicals in the environment that affect human health, environment, & other life forms

9. POP's association with wildfires

wildfires release stored POPs from soil/plants, spread via smoke

10. Define the water cycle and its component parts

(Evaporation)

liquid to gas

10. Define the water cycle and its component parts

(Transpiration)

evaporation of water from plant leaves

10. Define the water cycle and its component parts

(Condensation)

gas to liquid

10. Define the water cycle and its component parts

(Precipitation)

rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.