Biology: Ecology of Organisms, Symbioses, & Population Growth Models

The study of the interactions between organisms and the living and nonliving components of their environment

ecology

Temporarily adjusting tolerance to abiotic factors

acclimation

Type of graph that shows the optimal environmental conditions for an organism

tolerance curve

Organisms that use energy to control some internal conditions

regulator

Where an organism lives

habitat

When a harmless animal looks like a poisonous or distasteful one

mimicry

The range of conditions a species can potentially tolerate or resources it can use

fundamental niche

Development of physical differences to reduce competition between similar species

character displacement

Organisms that feed on the outside of a their host, like ticks

ectoparasite

Organisms that feed on the inside of their host, like worms or bacteria

endoparasite

Temporary state of reduced activity during period of unfavorable conditions

dormancy

Symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit

mutualism

Role the species plays in its environment

niche

Temperature, pH levels, and precipitation are examples of…

abiotic factors

When one species is eliminated from a community because of competition for the same limited resource

competitive exclusion

Organisms that have broad niches

generalists

Which of the following is the correct order of levels of ecological organization from broadest to most specific?

biosphere, ecosystem, community, population, organism

Type of growth model the population size increases rapidly after a few generations

exponential

What is a resource or condition that restricts the growth of a population?

limiting factor

What is the number of individuals an environment can support over a long period of time called?

carrying capacity

Limiting factors that decrease the size of the population by the same proportion regardless of the size like fire/flood

density-independent

How would you describe the birth and death rates when carrying capacity is reached?

the birth rate and death rates are equal