Honors Earth and Environmental Science - Symbiosis and Adaptations Test

ecological level 1

individual (species)

ecological level 2

population

ecological level 3

community

ecological level 4

ecosystem

ecological level 5

biome

ecological level 6

biosphere

species

a group of individuals that are genetically related and can breed to produce fertile young

population

a group of organisms belonging to the same species that live in the same area and interact with one another, in a certain place at a certain time

community

all of the populations of different species that live in the same area and interact with one another. it is composed of all of the biotic factors of an area

ecosystem

includes the living organisms (all the populations) in an area and the non-living aspects of the environment. it is made of the biotic and abiotic factors in an area

biome

a group of ecosystems with the same climate and similar communities. members of the same ______ sometimes can move between ecosystems for necessary resources

biosphere

the part of the planet with living organisms. it includes most of Earth, including part of the oceans and the atmosphere

symbiosis

a close and long-term relationship between different species. different types include, predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism

predation

when a predator organism feeds on another living organism or organisms (+/-)

competition

when organisms strive for limited resources (-/-)

mutualism

a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit (+/+)

commensalism

a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other is not affected (+/=)

parasitism

a symbiotic relationship in which the parasitic species benefits while the host species is harmed (+/-)

predation example

shark and seal, lion and zebra

competition example

lion and hyena (often time with same species)

mutualism example

elephant (zebra, rhino) and oxpecker

commensalism example

shark and remora fish

parasitism example

tick and dog

Why are predator/prey relationships important to an ecosystem?

predator-prey relationships are essential to maintaining the balance of organisms in an ecosystem

What is a keystone species?

species that can have a large effect on the balance of organisms in an ecosystem

What are organisms in competition for?

organisms can compete for resources, mates, and territory

intraspecific competition

when members of the same species compete for the same resources

interspecific competition

when individuals of different species strive for a limited resource in the same area

adaptation

a mutation, or genetic change, that helps an organism, either a plant or animal, survive in its environment

structural adaptations

a physical part of the organism

example of structural adaptation

succulents in the desert store water in their thick stems and leaves

behavioral adaptations

affects the way an organism acts

example of behavioral adaptation

animal migration; gray whales migrate from cold to warm waters

natural selection

the process that occurs when adaptations are formed, over a long period of time

evolution

the change in the genetic code for an adaption, all the animals have the adaptation

coadaptation

when one species adapts to another, they change together

When there is a change in the environment the choices for an organism are …

adapting, moving out of its environment, and dying/going extinct