APEs Study Guide Unit 1

Explain the difference between ecosystem, habitat, and environment

Ecosystems are the interactions of living & nonliving things in a specific area while the environment refers to the natural world more broadly. A habitat is the specific environmental conditions a given species needs to survive.

Explain the difference between symbiosis and mutualism

Symbiosis just refers to any close interaction where species live in close proximity, even if it’s harmful to one species (such as a parasite living in its host.) Mutualism is a specific type of symbiosis that benefits both species.

What is the relationship of mutualism?

++ (positive, positive)

Example of mutualism

Bees & plants they pollinate, coral & algae

What is the relationship of predation?

+ - (positive, negative)

Example of predation

Lions eating zebras or deer eating leaves

What is the relationship of commensalism?

+ 0 (positive, mutual)

Example of commensalism

Birds nesting in trees

What is the relationship of competition?

- - (negative, negative)

Example of competition

Plant species competing for ground water

Define biome

An area that shares an average yearly temperature and precipitation pattern

Identify a biome with lower annual precipitation and temperature averages than the tropical rainforest

temperature forest, boreal forest, woodland/shrubland, temperate grassland