AP Bio Unit 8

Predation

One organism captures and consumes another (e.g., wolves preying on deer).

Competition

Two or more species or individuals compete for limited resources like food, water, or shelter.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition between individuals of the same species.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species.

Mutualism

A type of interaction where both species benefit (e.g., bees pollinating flowers).

Commensalism

A relationship where one organism benefits while the other is unaffected (e.g., barnacles on whales).

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another (e.g., ticks feeding on mammals).

Abiotic Factors

Nonliving factors, such as sunlight, temperature, water, and soil, that affect organisms.

Primary Producers

Autotrophs like plants and algae that utilize photosynthesis to create energy.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores that feed on primary producers.

Secondary Consumers

Carnivores and omnivores that consume primary consumers.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down organic material and recycle nutrients (e.g., fungi, bacteria).

Energy Transfer

The process in which ~10% of energy moves up each trophic level, with the rest lost as heat.

Carbon Cycle

The cycle through which photosynthesis removes CO2, and respiration, decomposition, and combustion release it back into the atmosphere.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process by which bacteria convert atmospheric N2 into usable forms like ammonia or nitrate.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors that affect population growth based on population density, such as competition and disease.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors that affect population growth regardless of population density, such as natural disasters and climate.

Survivorship Curve Type I

Characterized by high survival in early/mid-life (e.g., humans).

Survivorship Curve Type II

Characterized by a constant mortality rate (e.g., birds).

Survivorship Curve Type III

Characterized by high mortality in early life (e.g., fish, plants).

Climate Change

Long-term alterations in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, often driven by rising CO2 levels.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems by outcompeting native species or introducing new predators.

Restoration Ecology

A strategy in conservation biology focused on rehabilitating degraded ecosystems.

Protected Areas

Designated regions like national parks and wildlife reserves set aside for conservation efforts.