Unit 2 - Energy and Ecosystems

First law of thermodynamics

First law of thermodynamics

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form to another

Second law of thermodynamics

The entropy of a system increases over time

Entropy

The amount of disorder or chaos in a system, as it increases, the energy decreases

Species

A group of organisms sharing common characteristics that interbreed to produce fertile offspring (share the same gene pool)

Habitat

The environment in which a species normally lives

Niche

Describes the particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources to which an organism or population responds, and only occupied by one species

Fundamental niche

The full range of conditions and resources in which a species could survive and reproduce

Realized niche

The actual conditions and resources in which a species exists due to biotic interactions