better ap bio ecology unit 8

Made of Cells

All living things are composed of one or more cells.

Reproduction

The ability to produce offspring, either sexually or asexually.

Metabolism

The ability to convert energy for cellular functions.

Excretion

The removal of waste products from an organism.

Growth and Development

The capacity of an organism to grow and change over time.

Response to Stimuli

The way organisms react to changes in their environment.

Environmental Adaptation

Physiological or behavioral changes made in response to surroundings.

Natural Selection

The process where behaviors that increase survival and reproduction are favored.

Endotherms

Organisms that use metabolic energy to maintain body temperature and require more energy.

Ectotherms

Organisms that regulate body temperature behaviorally, such as basking in sunlight.

Autotrophs

Organisms that capture energy from physical or chemical sources.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy from organic molecules produced by other organisms.

Trophic Levels

Different layers in a food web, including primary producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain.

Simpson's Diversity Index

A measure of species diversity within a community.

Competitive Exclusion

A principle stating that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Extinction Causes (HIPCO)

Habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation.

Ecosystem Function

The diverse processes and interactions that sustain ecosystems, like energy flow and nutrient cycling.

Key Species

Species that have a greater impact on their ecosystem than their abundance would suggest.

Population Dynamics Formula

dN/dt = B – D (birth rate minus death rate).

Exponential Growth Formula

dN/dt = r_max N, where the population grows by a constant proportion.

Logistic Growth Formula

dN/dt = rN(K – N)/K, representing growth that slows as carrying capacity is approached.