Bio assesment

Ecological succession

gradual replacement of simple organisms with more complex organisms over time

pioneer species

first organisms to arrive in an area

climax community

oldest stage of succession; most stable/balanced ecosystem; number of species plateaus or remains constant

primary succession

occurs in an area that has not previously been inhabited (ex. bare rock surfaces from recent volcanic lava flows, rock faces that have been scraped clean by glaciers, or a city street)

secondary succession

changes in community begging w/ disturbance; soil is already present in the beginning

microhabitats

a smaller area within a habitat that has specific conditions

biodiversity

The number of species within a specific habitat.

sustainability

Ability of an ecosystem to survive and continue to be a viable ecosystem for future generations.

biomes

Different regions which support various kinds of life (i.e. forest, grassland, desert, and tundra)

temperate deciduous forest

A forest characterized by trees that shed their leaves in the fall. Range of the temperatures can be extreme. Vegetation changes with the seasons because of the temperature.

desert

An extremely dry area with little water and few plants

tundra

An extremely cold, dry biome.

grassland

A biome where grasses are the main plant life

tropical rainforest

a broadleaf evergreen forest found in wet and hot regions near the equator.

equilibrium

The balance in an ecosystem that exists when a climax community is reached.

sustainability increases

what happens when biodiversity increases

sustainability decreases

what happens when biodiversity decreases

Define dependant factors

Effect increases as population increases, limiting population size and determine carrying capacity, weaken individuals and reduce reproduction

Define density independent factors

abiotic (non-living) and not linked to population density

What type of competition increases a s population increases?

Increased intra/interspecific competition

What are they competing for? (animals)

Food, nesting sights

What are they competing for? (plants0

light intensity (e.g tall trees blocking forest floor), Soil nutrients, space

Define predator

organism that feeds on another organism (prey)

What happens to predation rates when population increases

prey density is higher so predators encounter prey more readily = greater proportion eaten

Define Paracitism

gains nutrition from host and does it harm

What happens to predation rates when population increases

denser population = infectious disease or parasites transmitted quicker so greater proportion affected

If disease causing organisms are widespread?

pop growth slowed

Other examples of density dependant factors (bacteria)

accumulation of toxic waste, decreased nutrients, low O2 conc

examples of density independent factors

Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanic eruptions, Extreme weather (flood or drought) , Wildfires, Pesticides, Habitat destruction (deforestation), human activity, temperature

How is population size regulated in open system ?

fluctuations around set point

If above set point….?

density dependant factors increase death rate + decreases breeding = decreasing population

If bellow set point…?

environmental resistance temporarily relieved = increasing population

intraspecific competition

competition between members of the same species for resources e.g food, H2O, breeding sights

natural selection

individuals less suited to conditions have less reproductive success, number decrease = extinction

interspecific competition

competition between different species, occurs only if niches overlap. 1 species normally has competitive advantage over other

Niche

organisms role/position in a ecosystem

competitive exclusion principle

two species occurring in the same habitat, one will outcompete the other; two species cannot occupy the same niche

Explain the effect of predator pray relationships on population size

predators eat pray so pray pop decreases, competition between predators increase, so predator pop decreases (many starve), pray population increases, more prey available so predator population increases (repeats)

selection pressure

the environmental factors that favour certain phenotypes that are better adapted

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that the environment can normally and constantly support

Populations have limiting factors

Factors that limit the size of a population

Density dependent

Are affected by the number of individuals, competion, predation, parasitism and disaster

Density independent

Are a species of the environment that limit a population regardless of the size of the population

Nonrenewable

Are used faster than they form coal oil

Renewable

Resources cannot be used up or can replenism themselves over time. Wind, water, sunlight,

Growing

Use of nonrenewable resources may lead to a crisis

Resources

Must be properly managed

Biome

Is a major community of organisms

Temperate

Deciduous forest grassland

Desert

Nocturnal animals

Savanna

Dry season, wet season law and nutrients

Tropical rainforest

Warm yr. around around most rainfall

Taiga

Tundria -coldest

Tropical rainforest

Biomes produce lush forests warm temperature

Abundant

Precipitation all year

Density

Composition

Exponential Growth

Unlimited population growth without resource limitations.

Population Ecology

Study of populations in their environments.

Rate of Increase (r)

Difference between birth rate and death rate. Birth rate-death rate

dN/dt

Change in population size over time.

Generation

A single cycle of reproduction in a population.

Carrying Capacity (K)

Maximum population size an environment can sustain.

Density Dependent Factors

Factors intensifying as population size increases.

Density Independent Factors

Factors affecting all individuals regardless of population size.

Logistic Growth

Population growth model limited by carrying capacity.

Per Capita Growth Rate

Growth rate per individual in a population.

Population Size (N)

Total number of individuals in a population.

What is a keystone species?

A species that helps to hold an ecosystem together

The particular role (job) of an organism in its environment including types of food it eats, how it obtains its food and how it interacts with other organisms is called a what?

niche

The term biodiversity means

a wide variety of plants and animals in an ecosystem

A sea otter and a sea star are examples of

keystone species

autotroph

an organism that is able to capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produces its own food

heterotroph

an organism that cannot make its own food and gets its food by consuming other living things

photosynthesis

the process by which plants and other autotrophs capture and use light energy to make food from carbon dioxide and water

chloroplast

an organelle in the cells of plants and some other organisms that captures energy from sunlight and changes it to an energy that makes food

chlorophyll

a green photosynthetic plgment found in the chloroplasts of plants and algae and some bacteria

CO2

carbon dioxide

H2O

water

C6H12O6

sugar

cellular respiration

not breathing

cytoplasm

in the cytoplasm, glucose is broken down into smaller molecules, releasing a small amount of energy

mitochondria

in the mitochondria the smaller molecules react producing oxygen, water, and large amounts of energy

fermentation

the process by which cells release energy by breaking down food molecules without using oxygen

alcoholic fermentation

a process by which some sugars are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide

lactic acid fermentation

process by which glucose, and other carbon sugars are converted into cellular energy and the metabolite lactate

What is a food web?

A complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem.

What are producers?

Organisms that create their own food using sunlight or chemical energy, forming the base of the food chain.

What are primary consumers?

Organisms that feed directly on producers, primarily herbivores that obtain energy by consuming plant material.

What are secondary consumers?

Organisms that eat primary consumers, often carnivores or omnivores that derive energy from consuming other animals.

What are tertiary consumers?

Organisms that are at the top of the food chain, feeding on secondary consumers, typically large carnivores.

What are decomposers?

Organisms that break down dead or decaying matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

What are carnivores?

Organisms that primarily consume other animals for energy.

What are herbivores?

Organisms that primarily consume plants or plant-based materials for energy.

What are omnivores?

Organisms that consume both plant and animal matter for energy.

What are the structures of organisms?

The physical components that make up living beings, such as cells, tissues, and organs.

What is the function of organisms?

The roles that different structures play in maintaining life, such as reproduction, growth, and energy processing.

Rabbit (Herbivore)

A small mammal that primarily consumes grasses and vegetables; classified as a primary consumer.

Frog (Carnivore)

An amphibian that primarily eats insects and small invertebrates; classified as a secondary consumer.

Eagle (Carnivore)

A bird of prey that primarily feeds on fish and small mammals; classified as a tertiary consumer.

Deer (Herbivore)

A large mammal that primarily consumes leaves, fruits, and grasses; classified as a primary consumer.