Ecology 11

Ecology Biology 11

Gaia Hypothesis

An idea proposed by James Lovelock where all living things in the biosphere function as one superorganism that changes its envionment to create conditions that best meets its needs, with the ability to self regulate critical systems needed to sustain life.

Biosphere

The narrow zone around the earth that harbors life

Dynamic Equilibrium

A system with constant changes, in which the components can adjust to the changes without disturbing the entire system

The 3 Layers of the Biosphere

Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere

The 3 Types of Heat Transfer

Conduction, convection, radiation

Anoxic

Little to no oxygen

Chemosynthesis

To change chemicals into usuable energy

Chemoautotroph

Cells that produce their own food using chemicals

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce viable offspring

Population

A group of organisms of the same species, same place, same time

Community

A group of populations living together, and interacting with one another in a given area

Ecosystem

A community and its interactions with its abiotic environment

Habitat

The environment in which a species normally lives, or the location of a living organism

Ecology

The study of the relationships between living organisms and between living organisms and their environment

Abiotic variables that affect plant species distribution

Temperature, water availability, light intensity, soil PH, soil salinity, availability of mineral nutrients

Abiotic variables that affect animal species distribution

Water availability, temperature

Range of Tolerance

The limits of environmental conditions that a species can endure without experiencing harm or death

Quadrats

Rectangular frames of known dimensions that can be used to determine population densities

Transects

A straight line along an abiotic gradient from which population data can be recorded to determine a pattern

The 3 Types of Transects

Line intercept sampling, belt transects, observational transects

Niche

A species role in the ecosystem

Fundamental Niche

The resources and habitat that the species is theoretically able to use

Competitive Exclusion

The idea that two species competing for the same resources cannot stably coexist in the same niche

Competitive Exclusion

The idea that two species competing for the same resources cannot stably coexist in the same niche

Generalists

Species with a broad range of tolerance

Specialist

Species with a low range of tolerance

Structural Adaptations

Body anatomy adaptations that help the organism survive in the niche

Physiological Adaptations

Adaptations of the processes within the body that help the organism survive in the niche

Behavioral Adaptations

Behaviors that help the organism survive in the niche

Autotroph

Organisms that synthesize organic molecules from inorganic sources

Heterotroph

Organisms that obtain organic molecules from other organisms

Photoautotroph

Makes organic compounds using energy from solar energy

Chemoautotroph

Makes organic compounds using inorganic compounds

Consumer

Ingests organic matter that are living or recently killed

Detritivores

Ingests non living organic matter

Saprotrophs

Feeds on non living organic matter by using digestive enzymes and absorbing the product

Photoheterotroph

Organisms that consume solar energy and other organisms

Chemoheterotroph

Organisms that ingest organic molecules produced by other organisms

Apex predator

Organisms on the top of the food chain or food web

Detritus

The remains or waste produced from plants or animals

Decomposers

Organisms responsible for the cycling of matter

Insectivores

Organisms that consume insects as food

Holozoic Nutrition

A way for heterotophic organisms to consume food

Mixotrophophy

Organisms that are not autotrophic or heterotrophic

Obligate mixotroph

Mixotrophs that must use autotrophy and heterotrophy

Facultative Mixotroph

Mixotrophs that can use autotrophy or heterotrophy

Indicator Species

Species that are sensitive to small changes in environmental conditions

Top Down Control

The regulation of lower trophic levels by organism at higher trophic levels

Bottom Up Control

Occurs when the availability of resources limits the abundance