HL Biology Summer Assignment - Ecology, Evolution, and Energy Transfers (VOCABULARY flashcards)

These vocabulary flashcards cover core concepts from ecological niches, predator–prey dynamics, energy transfer, biomes, climate change effects, ecosystem stability, and conservation topics presented in the notes.

Ecological niche

The role and position a species occupies in its environment, including its food sources, habitat, and interactions with other organisms.

Plant adaptations against herbivory: Thorns

Sharp outgrowths that deter herbivores by injuring or hindering feeding.

Plant adaptations against herbivory: Toxic secondary compounds

Chemicals produced by plants in seeds/leaves to deter herbivory and reduce damage.

Plant adaptations against herbivory: Thick bark

A structural defense that protects stems from feeding and damage by herbivores or environmental factors.

Herbivore adaptation: gut microbes detoxify plant toxins

Microorganisms in the herbivore gut help break down or neutralize plant toxins before absorption.

Herbivore adaptation: cautious sampling

Feeding strategy where herbivores sample small amounts of new plants to minimize risk from toxins.

Herbivore adaptation: detoxification in the liver

Toxins absorbed from plants are processed and neutralized by the liver to reduce harm.

Herbivore teeth characteristics

Teeth suited for grinding plant material: flat molars; incisors used for clipping; reduced canines.

Carnivore teeth characteristics

Sharp canines and carnassial/molars for tearing and slicing meat.

Omnivore teeth characteristics

Mixed dentition: combination of sharp and flat surfaces for both plant and animal foods.

Herbivore displaying carnivore-like canines

To intimidate rivals or deter predators, not necessarily for feeding.

Epiphyte adaptation for harvesting light

Grow toward or into the canopy to access higher light levels in the forest.

Liana adaptation for light capture

Vines that start on the forest floor and climb into the canopy to reach light.

Resource partitioning

When coexisting species use different resources or exploit the same resource in different ways to reduce competition.

Fundamental niche

The broad range of environmental conditions under which a species can survive and reproduce if there were no interactions with other species.

Realized niche

The actual set of conditions under which a species exists due to interactions like competition and predation.

Predator adaptation: chemical

Production of chemicals to deter or incapacitate prey or deter competitors.

Predator adaptation: physical

Structural features such as camouflage, armor, or sharp claws used to catch prey.

Predator adaptation: behavioral

Actions like stalking, enduring pursuit, or pack hunting to capture prey.

Camouflage

The ability of an organism to blend with its surroundings to avoid detection by predators or prey.

Group/listing behavior as predator adaptation

Fleeing, forming groups, or using dissuasive displays to ward off predators.

Prey adaptation: camouflage

Coloration or patterns that help prey blend into their environment.

Prey adaptation: mimicry

Imitating another species or environmental feature to avoid predation.

Prey adaptation: defensive body structures

Physical features like spines or shells that deter predators.

Resource partitioning (revisited)

Differentiation of resource use to minimize competition and allow coexistence.

Obligate anaerobe

An organism that can survive only in the absence of oxygen.

Heterotroph

An organism that cannot synthesize its own food and must obtain organic compounds from others.

Obligate aerobe

An organism that requires oxygen for growth and metabolism.

Autotroph

An organism that can synthesize its own food from inorganic substances; primary producers.

Photoautotroph

An autotroph that uses light energy (photosynthesis) to produce organic compounds.

Chemoautotroph

An autotroph that uses chemical energy (chemosynthesis) to produce organic compounds, without light.

Mixotroph

An organism that combines photosynthesis and heterotrophic nutrition in different contexts.

Saprotroph

An organism that externally digests dead organic matter and absorbs nutrients.

Detrivore

An organism that ingests and digests non-living organic matter (detritus), e.g., earthworms.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of the host without immediately killing it.

D4.2 Autotroph types (summary)

Photoautotrophs use light; chemoautotrophs use chemical energy; mixotrophs combine modes.

Biotic vs abiotic factors

Biotic: living components; abiotic: non-living physical and chemical components of the environment.

Abiotic factors affecting distribution (plants)

Water availability, temperature, soil pH, wind, sunlight.

Abiotic factors affecting distribution (animals)

Water availability, salinity, soil composition, sunlight, nutrients.

Red mangrove adaptations (salt water)

Salt tolerance; propagules for dispersal; salt filtration; prop roots for support.

Prop roots

Prop roots provide stability in unstable, water-logged soils of mangroves.

Propagule

A specialized flexible shoot or seed that allows mangroves to disperse and establish in new areas.

Salt filtration (mangroves)

Physiological process to limit salt intake and maintain fresh water balance.

Sea oats adaptation to coast

Strong root system to trap sand and stabilize dunes; narrow leaves to reduce transpiration.

Dune stabilization adaptation (sea oats)

Dense roots and rhizomes to hold loose sand in place and protect shorelines.

Nodes and rhizomes

Underground or above-ground stems that produce shoots and roots; allow rapid spread.

Tolerance graph zones

Zone of intolerance, zone of stress, and optimum tolerance range describe where species survive best along an environmental gradient.

Coral reef abiotic factor: light

Light penetration limits photosynthesis by zooxanthellae; shallow depths receive more light.

Zooxanthellae

Photosynthetic algae living in coral tissues that provide energy to corals and rely on light.

Coral bleaching

Stress (often heat) causes loss of zooxanthellae or their pigments, turning corals white and weakening them.

Salinity (corals)

Corals require precise salt balance; freshwater influx can disrupt their osmotic balance.

Water clarity (corals)

Suspended sediments reduce light penetration, harming photosynthesis by zooxanthellae.

pH and carbonate availability

Ocean acidification lowers carbonate ions, reducing coral calcification and reef growth.

Calcium carbonate for reefs

Mineral used by corals to build their skeletons; affected by pH and CO2 levels.

Biomes

Large geographic areas with distinct communities adapted to particular climate conditions and resources.

Key factors for biome classification

Temperature, rainfall, and seasonality patterns determine biome boundaries.

Tundra (temperature and rainfall)

Low temperature; low to moderate rainfall; short growing season.

Taiga (temperature and rainfall)

Cold climate; high rainfall (precipitation) but cool summers; coniferous forests.

Temperate rainforest (temperature and rainfall)

Moderate temperatures; high rainfall; lush, diverse forests.

Tropical rainforest (temperature and rainfall)

Warm temperatures year-round; high rainfall; high biodiversity.

Deciduous forest (temperature and rainfall)

Moderate temperatures with seasonal variation; moderate to high rainfall.

Grassland (temperature and rainfall)

Moderate to high temperatures; moderate rainfall with seasonal variation.

Desert (temperature and rainfall)

Low rainfall; high temperature variability; limited water availability.

Adaptations of Saguaro cactus

Thick waxy cuticle; deep taproot; water storage tissues; spines reduce water loss and deter herbivores.

Fennec fox adaptation

Large ears for heat dissipation; nocturnal behavior; concentrated kidney function for water conservation.

Kapok tree adaptation

Tall trunk with shallow but extensive roots to access surface nutrients in rainforest soils.

Poison-dart frog adaptation

Bright coloration (aposematism) signaling toxicity to predators in tropical forests.

Phenology

Study of timing of seasonal biological events (e.g., migration, flowering) and how it’s influenced by climate and day length.

Photoperiod

The length of day or night, a key cue affecting the timing of phenological events.

Temperature as a phenology driver

Seasonal temperature changes influence development rates and emergence times.

Climate change impact on phenology (reindeer & chickweed)

Warmer temperatures advance dormancy break and alter growth cycles, causing mismatches with prey availability.

Great tit and caterpillar mismatch

Climate-driven shifts in bird breeding timing can desynchronize with peak caterpillar abundance.

Spruce bark beetle and climate change

Warmer temperatures increase beetle reproduction and range, contributing to widespread spruce decline.

Polymorphism

Genetic variation within a population leading to two or more distinct phenotypes.

Grey tawny owl morphs and climate change

Milder winters favor brown morphs over grey due to camouflage and energy balance under changing conditions.

Energy pyramid

A graphical model of energy flow from producers up to tertiary consumers, including decomposers at the base outside the pyramid.

Producers (autotrophs)

Organisms that synthesize their own energy-rich organic compounds (e.g., plants, algae).

Primary consumer

Herbivore that feeds on producers.

Secondary consumer

Organism that feeds on primary consumers.

Tertiary consumer

Organism that feeds on secondary consumers; often top predators.

Decomposers

Organisms such as fungi and bacteria that break down dead matter, recycling nutrients.

10% energy transfer rule

Approximately 10% of energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next level; the rest is lost as heat, waste, and metabolism.

GPP (Gross Primary Productivity)

Total energy captured via photosynthesis by producers in an ecosystem.

Secondary production

Biomass gained by heterotrophs through the consumption of other organisms; energy transfer within consumers.

Primary productivity vs ecosystems

GPP varies among biomes; tropical forests typically have high GPP, deserts and tundra lower.

Biomass productivity vs energy flow (overview)

Biomass production reflects energy captured and stored; energy flow includes energy losses through heat and respiration.

Consumers vs saprotrophs (heterotrophs)

Consumers ingest living or dead organic material; saprotrophs digest dead matter externally and absorb nutrients.

Keystone species

A species with disproportionate influence on ecosystem structure and biodiversity; its removal reduces diversity.

Paine's purple sea star experiment

Removal of a keystone predator caused mussels to dominate and biodiversity to plummet.

Biomagnification

Increase in concentration of a substance in organisms higher up the food chain due to accumulation and poor excretion.

Mercury biomagnification effects

Mercury accumulates up the food chain, posing severe health risks to top predators and humans.

Rewilding

Conservation approach that restores natural processes and native species, often through reintroductions and habitat restoration.

Hinewai Reserve

A rewilded area in New Zealand where native species restoration and habitat connectivity are key goals.

Tipping point (ecosystems)

The threshold at which environmental damage becomes irreversible, potentially collapsing ecosystem function.

Biodiversity and stability

Greater genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity generally enhances resilience and long-term stability.

Erosion effect on stability

Soil loss reduces nutrient availability and habitat quality, threatening ecosystem function.

Eutrophication

Nutrient over-enrichment (often from fertilizers) causing algal blooms and degraded water quality.

Nutrient cycling

Cycling of elements (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus) through producers, consumers, decomposers, and the environment.

Importance of nutrient cycles

Maintain soil fertility, support plant growth, and sustain ecosystem productivity over time.

Keystone vs non-keystone species

Keystone species have a disproportionate effect on ecosystem structure; others have more modest impacts.