Chapter 1 Test - Anthony Wheeler

Flashcards for Chapter 1 test - Med Bio

Technology

The Application of Scientific Knowledge for Practical Purposes

Engineering Design Process

An iterative method used to develop or improve technology

Criteria (singular Criterion)

Standards that a solution can be based

Constraints

The limitations that a solution must stay within

Tradeoff

An exchange for one thing in return for another

Decision Matrix

A chart used to evaluate solutions against criteria

Prototype

The first build of a design, not always to scale or with the same materials.

Cost-Benefit analysis

A type of analysis used to evaluate the costs, or weaknesses, and benefits, or strengths, of a design

Disturbance

Refers to anything that causes change to the environment

Physical Agent

A physical disturbance, such as a natural disaster

Chemical Agent

A chemical disturbance, such as oil spillage

Biological Agent

A biological disturbance, such as the introduction of a new species

Natural Disturbance

A disturbance caused by nature

Human-Caused Disturbance

A disturbance caused by human activities

Ecosystem Stability

An ecosystem’s ability to sustain and maintain itself after a normal disturbance. Both resilient and resistant

Ecosystem Resilience

An ecosystem’s ability to recover from a disturbance

Ecosystem Resistance

An ecosystem’s ability to resist disturbances

Ecological Succession

A series of biotic changes that occur on bare land to create a community

Primary Succession

When an ecosystem is created from bare rock

Secondary Succession

When an ecosystem is developed on bare soil

Primary Pioneer Species

The first species to grow in ecological succession, such as lichens and moss.

Secondary Pioneer Species

The second species to grow in ecological succession, such as grass and small flowers.

Intermediate Species

The third species to grow in ecological succession, such as shrubs and small trees

Climax Community

The fourth and last species to grow in ecological succession, such as mature trees in a mixed-conifer forest.

Ecology

A measure of the distribution and abundance of organisms

Survey

A sample of a larger population

Density

how much matter is in a given space

Population Density

How many individuals are living in a given space

Population Density Formula

Number of Individuals/Area Units

Population Dispersion

How organisms separate themselves in a population

Clumped Population Dispersal

When organisms are spread into clumps due to uneven resources.

Uniform Population Dispersal

When organisms are spread evenly due to competition and limited resources.

Random Population Dispersal

When organisms are spread randomly

Population Growth Rate

The rate at which a population of organisms grows

Immigration

The amount of individuals entering a population from outside

Emigration

The amount of individuals leaving the population

Birth Rate

The rate at which individuals are born

Death Rate

The rate at which individuals die.

Exponential Growth

The pattern of population growth where the population rapidly grows.

Logistic Growth

The patter of population growth where the population once rapidly grew, but is now stagnant.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals an environment can sustain and support

Limiting factors

Factors that can change an area’s carrying capacity

Density-Dependent Limiting Factors

Limiting factors that are caused by a population’s density, such as competition or disease

Density-Independent Limiting Factors

Limiting factors that are not caused by a population’s density, such as weather or human activity.

System

A set of interacting components

Inputs

What goes into a system

Outputs

What comes out of a system

Open System

A system where inputs and outputs of both energy and matter can flow freely

Closed System

A system where one of the inputs or outputs is limited. (Ex. Only energy can flow)

Isolated System

A system where no inputs or outputs flow through

The three inputs and outputs

Energy, Matter, and Information

Controls

Components of systems that monitor and manage its inputs and outputs (Ex. sensors and buttons)

The three types of controls

Manual, Automatic, Both

Feedback Loop

A cycle in which one of the outputs of a system becomes one of its inputs

Emergent Property`

A property that a system has, but its components do not

Geosphere

The sphere of the Earth system containing Earth’s geology, such as land

Hydrosphere

The sphere of the Earth system containing Earth’s water, such as oceans

Biosphere

The sphere of the Earth system containing Earth’s life, such as animals

Atmosphere

The sphere of the Earth system containing Earth’s air

Anthrosphere

The sphere of the Earth system built or modified by humans

Biotic Factors

The living or once living components of an ecosystem

Abiotic Factors

The non-living components of an ecosystem

Terrestrial Ecosystem

A land based ecosystem

Aquatic Ecosystem

A water based ecosystem

Marine Ecosystem

An ocean based ecosystem

Freshwater Ecosystem

An ecosystem based in freshwater, such as rivers and lakes

The Characteristics of Living Things

• Made of one or more cells

• Grows

• Reproduces

• Evolves

• Responds to Environmental Changes

• Maintains homeostasis

The five spheres of the Earth system

• Geosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

• Atmosphere

• Anthrosphere

The levels of ecosystems from small to large

1. Organism

2. Population

3. Community

4. Ecosystem

5. Biome

6. Biosphere

Habitat

Where the organism lives

Ecological Niche

an environment that includes everything the organism needs to survive and reproduce; how the organism lives

Niche Factor: Food Sources

• types of food available

• how organisms compete for food

• where the food is in the food web

Niche Factor: Behavior

• the time of day the species of active

• when and where it feeds

• when and where it reproduces

Predation

A relationship in which one organism consumes the other

Competition

A relationship in which organisms compete for limited resources

Symbiosis

Relationships between organisms other than competition and predation

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism is benefited and the other is neither benefited nor harmed.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism is benefited and the other is harmed

Biodiversity

The number of different species found in an area

Biodiversity Hotspot

An area with unusually high levels of biodiversity, usually with unique organisms.

Keystone Species

A species that are vital to an ecosystem and, if removed, can collapse an ecosystem

Genetic Diversity

The amount of variation in a species’ DNA