Ecology

• What is the key concept to understand in ecology?


  All organisms have relationships with each other and their environment.
• What types of relationships do mice have in their ecosystem?


  Mice have relationships with other mice, plants, predators, and their environment.
• How do mice interact with their environment?


  Mice breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, and they burrow in the soil.
• What happens if the mouse population falls in an ecosystem?


  It can lead to less food for predators and decreased soil quality.
• What is a habitat?


  • The place where an organism lives
  • Examples: field, forest, basement
• What is a population in ecology?


  • All organisms of a particular species in a habitat
  • Example: all mice in a field
• What is a community in ecology?


  • All populations of different species living together in a habitat
  • Example: mice, owls, plants in a field
• What are biotic factors?


  • Living factors in the environment
  • Examples: availability of food, number of predators
• What are abiotic factors?


  • Non-living factors in the environment
  • Examples: temperature, soil pH
• What is an ecosystem?


  An ecosystem is the interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of their environment.
• What is the focus of ecology?


  Ecology focuses on understanding how ecosystems function and how they might change.
• What is competition in an ecosystem?


  • Organisms compete for limited resources
  • Resources include: space, food, water, mates for animals; light, space, water, mineral ions for plants
• What types of competition can occur in ecosystems?


  Competition can occur between different species or within the same species.
• What is interdependence in ecology?


  Interdependence is the idea that all species depend on other species in some way.
• How does a food web illustrate interdependence?


  • Shows feeding relationships within a community
  • Example: mice, rabbits, and grasshoppers feed on grass
• What happens if the mouse population suddenly increases?


  It can lead to less grass for rabbits and grasshoppers, affecting their populations.
• What might happen to the hawk population if the mouse population increases?


  The hawk population might increase due to more food, but could be limited by fewer rabbits.
• What is the significance of understanding ecological relationships?


  It helps predict the knock-on effects of changes in the ecosystem.
• What should students focus on regarding ecological relationships?


  Students should understand how these relationships work and predict their effects.
• What are the two main types of factors discussed in the video?

  Biotic and abiotic factors
• How can biotic factors be described?


  As any living factor that affects another organism or shapes the ecosystem
• What is an example of a biotic factor mentioned in the video?

  Predation
• What are some examples of biotic factors that can affect an ecosystem?


  Competition for resources, habitat, disease, and availability of food
• What are abiotic factors?


  All of the non-living parts of the environment that can affect organisms
• What are some examples of abiotic factors mentioned in the video?


  Light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide concentrations, moisture levels, wind intensity and direction, pH, and mineral content of the soil
• How can an increase in temperature affect photosynthesis?


  It can increase the rate of photosynthesis because enzymes work faster
• What might happen to animals if the temperature increases?


  They might spend less energy staying warm and use more energy for growth
• What are the main biotic factors affecting a clownfish?


  • Predation by bigger fish or eels
  • The sea anemone as its habitat
  • Competition for habitat and food (plankton and algae)
  • Disease affecting the clownfish
• What are the main abiotic factors affecting a clownfish?


  • Temperature of the water
  • Oxygen concentration in the water
  • Levels of acidity and salt in the water
  • Light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration (indirect effects)
• How can abiotic factors indirectly affect a clownfish?


  They can affect other species like the sea anemone, which in turn affects the clownfish
• What is the main focus of typical questions regarding biotic and abiotic factors?


  Identifying these factors and explaining the effects of their changes
• What is the significance of understanding biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem?


  It helps in understanding how living and non-living components interact and affect each other