Ecology

• What is the key concept in ecology regarding organisms?

  All organisms have relationships with each other
• What types of relationships do mice have?

  With other mice, plants, predators, and environment
• How do mice interact with their environment?

  They breathe oxygen and burrow in soil
• What happens if the mouse population decreases?

  Predators have less food and soil quality decreases
• 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
• What constitutes a community in ecology?

  All populations of different species in a habitat
• What are biotic factors?

  Living factors like food availability and predators
• What are abiotic factors?

  Non-living factors like temperature and soil pH
• What is an ecosystem?

  • Interaction of a community of living organisms
  • With the non-living parts of their environment
• What is the importance of competition in ecosystems?

  Organisms compete for limited resources to survive
• What resources do animals typically need?

  Space, food, water, and mates
• What resources do plants typically need?

  Light, space, water, and mineral ions
• What is interdependence in ecology?

  All species depend on other species in some way
• How does a food web illustrate interdependence?

  • Shows feeding relationships within a community
  • Changes in one species affect others
• What happens if the mouse population increases?

  Grass decreases, affecting rabbits and grasshoppers
• How might an increase in mice affect hawk populations?

  Hawks may have more mice but fewer rabbits
• What could be the knock-on effects of a decline in grasshoppers?

  Decline in shrew and sparrow populations
• What should students understand about ecological relationships?

  • Relationships among species are crucial
  • Predicting knock-on effects of changes is essential
• What are the two main types of factors discussed in the video?

  Biotic and abiotic factors
• How are biotic factors defined in the context of ecosystems?

  Living factors that affect other organisms
• What are abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

  Non-living parts that affect organisms
• How does an increase in temperature affect photosynthesis?

  It increases the rate of photosynthesis
• What might happen to animals if the temperature increases?

  They may use less energy for warmth
• What are typical exam questions about biotic and abiotic factors focused on?

  Identifying factors and explaining changes
• What biotic factors affect a clownfish living by its sea anemone?

  Predation and competition for habitat
• What abiotic factors affect the clownfish?

  Water temperature and oxygen concentration
• How might light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration indirectly affect clownfish?

  They affect the sea anemone, impacting clownfish
• What is the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

  • Biotic factors are living components
  • Abiotic factors are non-living components
  • Both interact and influence each other
• What must organisms do to survive?

  Adapt to their environment
• How does a polar bear adapt to cold environments?

  It has thick fur for insulation
• What adaptation helps owls see in the dark?

  Big eyes for better night vision
• What are the three groups of adaptations?

  • Structural adaptations
  • Behavioral adaptations
  • Functional adaptations
• What are structural adaptations?

  Physical features like shape or color
• Why do seals and walruses have a rounded shape?

  To conserve body heat in cold environments
• How does the color of seals and walruses help them?

  It camouflages them from predators
• What are behavioral adaptations?

  Ways organisms behave to survive
• How do elephants cool themselves in hot environments?

  By flapping their ears and spraying water
• What do swallows do during winter?

  They migrate to warmer countries
• What are functional adaptations?

  Processes inside an organism's body