Introduction to Ecology

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts.

Ecology

The study of relationships between two organisms and between an organism and its environment.

Organism

A living thing.

Unicellular

Composed of one cell.

Multicellular

Composed of more than one cell.

DNA/RNA

Genetic material contained in cells.

Growth

The process of developing and becoming larger.

Reproduction

Producing offspring.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving 2 parents to produce genetically unique offspring.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving 1 parent to produce genetically identical offspring.

Stimulus

A change in an organism’s environment (cause).

Response

How an organism reacts to a change in its environment (effect).

Adaptation

Traits that allow individuals to live longer and reproduce more in a population.

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions of each cell in an organism that provide energy for life’s processes and create key molecules.

Organism

Individual member of a species or population.

Population

Multiple organisms of the same species living together.

Community

Multiple populations of different species living together.

Ecosystem

Community plus all of the abiotic factors in the environment.

Biome

Multiple ecosystems that share similar characteristics but are located in different parts of the planet.

Biosphere

The zone of life on Earth, encompassing all of Earth’s ecosystems.

Biodiversity

The variety of organisms considered at all levels, from populations to ecosystems.

Taxonomy

Field of biology that classifies organisms, organizing them based on similar characteristics.

Binomial Nomenclature

2-name naming system by Carolus Linnaeus that names organisms after their two most specific classification levels: Genus species.

Cladogram

Diagram that shows relatedness of organisms, but does NOT show ancestral relationships.

Dichotomous Key

Tool used for identifying organisms based on their characteristics.