Ecology L1: Introduction to Ecology Study Guide

Define Ecology

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Define Evolution

The process that changes populations of organisms over time.

Define Population

A group of individuals of a single species inhibiting a specific area.

Define Community

An association of interacting species living in a particular area.

Define Ecosystem

A biological community + all of the abiotic factors influencing that community.

Define Biosphere

All living organisms + their environment.

What is abiotic factors?

Physical environment like temp, humidity, pH, and nutrients.

What is biotic factors?

Living things such as animals and plants (organisms)

What is adaptation?

Evolutionary process that changes anatomy. physiology, or behavior.

Explain the two main concepts of evolution.

Descent with modification which is where organisms accumulate modifications in response to their environment. Natural selection in which an organism with certain inheritable traits is more likely to survive and reproduce than are individuals with other traits. (Fitness)

Define Scale

Spatial or temporal dimension

Why is it important to consider scale when designing an experiment?

The scale, or dimension, of an experiment determines the patterns and processes that can be observed. The bigger the scale, the more variety and patterns. The smaller the scale, the less variety and patterns.

What is Discovery/Observational Science?

Using natural Selection and test for correlation between variables.

What is Experimental Science?

Manipulate independent variable, hold other variables constant (standardized variables), measure dependent (response) variable, and test for cause and effect relationship.

What is Mathematical Modeling?

where people make predictions and compare with actual observations.

What are the five steps of the scientific method?

1. Observation/Questions

2. Hypothesis

3. Experimentation

4. Result Analysis

5. Conclusions

What is a Control Group?

The set of subjects that does not receive the treatment in a study. It’s the group where the independent variable is held constant.

Why are control groups so important?

Because it’s a baseline for measuring the effects of a treatment in an experiment or study

What is null hypothesis?

Predicts no affect or relationship among variables (Ho)

what is alternative hypothesis?

Predicts there is a significant effect or relationship among variables (HA)

What are standardized variables?

Variables you keep constant to avoid influencing the experiment.

what are dependent variables?

Variable you are measuring to determine if there is an impact from your independent variable.

What are independent variables?

Variable you are going to test/MANIPULATE to determine possible effects.

Why is statistics so important in science?

Statistics is the science of learning from data. It helps you use the proper methods to collect the data, employ the correct analyses, and effectively present the results. Statistics is a crucial process behind how we make discoveries in science, make decisions based on data, and make predictions

Why is replication so important?

To assets the accuracy of previous experiments and to see any possible differences/similarities in that experiment.

Explain why it is so important to think critically in science.

It allows scientists to question existing ideas, evaluate evidence, and make progress in our understanding of the natural world.