definitions

• Allopatric Speciation


  species that are geographically isolated
• sympatric speciation


  speciation happens in the same area, but there are other factors causing them to isolate - prezygotic and postzygotic barriers
• punctuated equilibrium


  evolution is due to natural selection, however, it comes with long periods of stability and then rapid change with no transitional forms - changes are due to dramatic environmental changes
• gradualism


  evolution is due to natrual selection occuring over a long time span and is gradual
• obligate relationships (symbiosis)


  when one or both species rely on each other for survival
• facultative relationship (symbiosis)


  when both species can live independently of each other but interact for benefit anyways
• symbiosis


  Living things can directly affect each other through various processes such as symbiosis. There are various interactions
• adaptation


  Any characteristic that increases an organism’s likelihood of survival and reproduction relative to organisms that lack the characteristic. A feature of an organism that makes it suited to its environment.
• ecosystems


  An ecosystem is the combination of all organisms (biotic factors) living in a community and all non-living features (abiotic factors) with which they interact.
• Distribution


  where the species is found
• Abundance


  how many individuals of that species live throughout the ecosystem
• Predation


  A predator-prey relationship is where a predator obtains its food by killing its prey
• General predators

  General predators  are organisms that consume a great variety of pest species.
• Specialised Predators


  organisms that target one pest species or group of species
• physiological adaptations


  an internal body process to regulate and maintain homeostasis e.g. temperature regulation, anti-freeze, release of toxin, release of nectar
• Neo-Darwinism/Modern Synthesis


  the explanation of Darwinian evolution based on modern genetics
• Gene pool


  all the possible varieties of a gene within a group of interbreeding organisms
• Competition


  When two or more organisms try obtaining one resource, this is known as competition
• Prokaryotic cells


  a single-cell organism whose cell lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles e.g. bacteria, archaea
• Eukaryotic cells


  any cell or organism that possesses a clearly defined nucleus e.g. human cells, animal cells, plant cells, protists, fungi
• Intraspecific Competition


  competition between its own members
• microevolution


  changes within a species
• macroevolution


  population that becomes so different that new species are formed
• Interspecific competition


  competition with other species
• Allelopathy


  production of specific biomolecules that is either detrimental or harmful to another species
• Symbiogenesis


  Development of new species from the integration of their genetic material with each other
• Mutualism


  interspecific interaction in which both organisms benefit
• Commensalism


  One species benefits and the other is unharmed
• Parasitism


  A relationship in which one species benefits and one is harmed
• Ectoparasites


  parasites that live on the surface
• Endoparasites


  parasites that live internally
• Macroparasites 


  visible to the naked eye
• Microparasites


  can only be seen under a microscope
• Disease


  Disease can be defined as any process that adversely affects the normal functioning of tissues in the living organism.
• ecology


  The study of interrelationships between different types of organisms and their environment
• divergent evolution


  Two closely related species resulting from an common ancestor
• convergent evolution


  Two different species have similar traits because they are exposed to similar selection pressures
• Natural selection


  a mechanism of evolution
• Structural Adaptations


  physical features
• Behavioural Adaptations


  the way organisms act to enhance its survival