Studied by 7 people
Species
Groups of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce offspring.
Reproductive Isolation
When members of a species are separated into separate populations and cannot interbreed.
Community
Populations of different species living and interacting with each other in a given area.
Ecosystem
A community and its interactions with the abiotic environment.
Autotrophs
Organisms that obtain inorganic nutrients from the environment or make their own food.
Heterotrophs
Organisms that obtain organic nutrients from other organisms.
Consumers
Heterotrophs that feed on living organisms by ingestion.
Detritivores
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from detritus by internal digestion.
Saprotrophs
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms by external digestion.
Nutrient Cycling
The process of maintaining the supply of inorganic nutrients through the recycling of organic matter.
Herbivores
Consumers that feed principally on plant matter.
Carnivores
Consumers that feed principally on animal matter.
Omnivores
Consumers that have a principal diet composed of both plant and animal matter.
Scavengers
Consumers that feed on dead and decaying carcasses.
Detritus
Dead, particulate organic matter.
Humus
Decaying leaf litter intermixed within the topsoil.
Saprotrophs
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms by external digestion.
Nutrient Cycling
The process of maintaining the supply of inorganic nutrients through the recycling of organic matter.
Water Cycle
The continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere.
Phosphorus Cycle
The cycling of phosphorus, an essential component of DNA and energy-storing molecules, in ecosystems.
Sulfur Cycle
The cycling of sulfur, an essential component of proteins and enzyme cofactors, in ecosystems.
Nitrogen Cycle
The cycling of nitrogen, a major component of the Earth's atmosphere, in ecosystems.
Mesocosms
Self-contained ecosystems that can be self-sustaining over long periods.
Chi-Squared Test
A statistical test used to determine the association between two species in a given environment.
Quadrat Sampling
A method used to determine the presence and abundance of species within a defined area.
Species Interactions
The interactions between different species within an ecosystem.
Positive Associations
Interactions between species that benefit both organisms, such as predator-prey relationships and symbiotic relationships.
Negative Associations
Interactions between species that result in competition for resources and detriment to one or both species.
Competition
The interaction between two organisms that lowers the fitness of one due to the presence of the other.
Niches
The functional position and role of an organism within its environment.
Energy Flow
The continuous supply of energy in ecosystems to fuel life processes and replace energy lost as heat.
Trophic Levels
The position an organism occupies within a feeding sequence.
Food Chains
Linear feeding relationships between species in a community.
Arrows
Represent the transfer of energy and matter as one organism is eaten by another (arrows point in the direction of energy flow)
Food Chain
The sequence of organisms in which each organism is the food source for the next organism in the chain
Energy Loss
The loss of energy stored in organic molecules through processes such as respiration, excretion, and uneaten portions of food
ATP
Adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that stores and releases energy for cellular processes
Heat
Thermal energy released as a by-product of chemical reactions in organisms
Energy Conversion
The process of converting chemical energy into other forms such as kinetic energy, electrical energy, and light energy
Exothermic
Reactions that release thermal energy (heat) as a by-product
Heat Energy
Energy released from organisms and lost from the ecosystem
Energy Efficiency
The efficiency of energy transformations in living organisms, typically around 10% efficient
Biomass
The total mass of a group of organisms, consisting of carbon compounds contained in cells and tissues
Trophic Levels
The different levels in a food chain or food web, representing the transfer of energy and matter between organisms
Pyramids of Energy
Graphical representations of the amount of energy at each trophic level in a food chain
Ecological Productivity
The rate of generation of biomass in an ecosystem
Primary Production
The production of chemical energy in organic compounds by producers
Gross Primary Production (GPP)
The total amount of chemical energy created by producers in a given time period
Net Primary Production (NPP)
The amount of chemical energy that is not consumed by respiration
Secondary Production
The generation of biomass by heterotrophic organisms (consumers)
Food Web
A diagram that shows how food chains are linked together into more complex feeding relationships
Ecological Pyramids
Graphical representations of the relative amounts of a specific component at different trophic levels in an ecosystem
Pyramid of Numbers
Shows the relative number of organisms at each stage of a food chain
Pyramid of Biomass
Shows the total mass of organisms at each stage of a food chain
Biomagnification
The increase in concentration of a substance (such as a pollutant) at higher trophic levels in a food chain
Ocean Acidification
The decrease in pH of the ocean due to increased absorption of carbon dioxide, leading to harmful effects on marine organisms
Carbon Cycling
The exchange of carbon between different spheres of the Earth, including the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere
Combustion
The process of burning organic compounds, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Climate Change
Changes in global temperatures and climate patterns due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Greenhouse Gases
Gases that absorb and emit long-wave radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere
Conservation
The protection and maintenance of natural resources, including plants, animals, and habitats
In situ Conservation
The preservation of plant and animal species within their natural habitat
Ex situ Conservation
The preservation of plant and animal species outside their natural habitats, often in captivity or controlled environments
Captive breeding
The practice of raising and breeding animals in controlled environments, such as zoos, to increase their chances of survival.
Botanical gardens
Dedicated areas where a diverse range of plant species are collected, cultivated, and exhibited for educational and conservation purposes.
Seed banks
Secure locations that store and categorize seeds to safeguard and maintain the genetic diversity of plants.
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Flashcard (201)