Biology - Unit 2 Ecology Flashcards

Ecology

A Science in which the relationships among living organisms and the interaction the organisms have with their environment are studied.

Biotic

Living Factors such as animals, plants, fungi, bacteria

Abiotic

Non-living factors such as rocks, water, soil, temp, atmosphere, light

Species

A group of organisms similar to one another that can breed and produce fertile offspring. (Ex: Field mice living in a meadow)

Population

A group consisting of one species that lives in a particular area. (Ex: All of the deer living in Hillsdale County)

Community

All of the living organisms in one area. (Ex: deer, mice, foxes, coyotes, trees, shrubs, grass and wildflowers, etc.)

Biosphere

All of the living (biotic) organisms and non-living (abiotic) factors contained on the earth. (Also includes 8km above the earth’s surface, and 11km below the earth’s surface).

Habitat

All of the biotic and abiotic factors an organism needs to live. (Ex: A lizard requires head, sand, a cactus and water).

Niche

The role/job an organism plays within its habitat. (Ex: Some birds are supposed to eat berries and build nests in trees)

Producers (Autotrophs)

Organisms which can convert inorganic molecules into a source of energy. Can be photosynthesis (plants), or chemoautotrophic (chemicals, bacteria).

Consumers (Heterotroph)

an organism which must eat for a source of energy.

Herbivore

type of consumer, an organism that only eats producers (autotrophs), (Ex: Rabbits, cows, some small fish, manatees

Omnivore

type of consumer, an organism that eats both producers (Autotrophs) and consumers (heterotrophs), (Ex: humans, some species of bears, otters, etc.)

Carnivore

type of consumer, an organism that eats only other consumers, (Ex: Polar bears, sharks, killer whales, dolphins, cheetahs).

Detrivore (Decomposer)

type of consumer, an organism that breaks down dead or decaying material, (Ex: fungi, bacteria).