Biology Lap 10 part 2

• Ecology


  Study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
• Biotic


  Living components of an ecosystem.
• Abiotic


  Non-living components of an ecosystem.
• Species


  Group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
• Population


  Group of same species individuals in the same area.
• Ecosystem


  Community of organisms interacting with each other and their environment.
• Biome


  Large geographical area characterized by climate and organisms.
• Biosphere


  Zone of Earth where life exists.
• Habitat


  Specific environment where an organism lives.
• Niche


  Role or function of an organism within its ecosystem.
• Predation


  One organism hunting and consuming another for food.
• Herbivory


  Consumption of plants by animals.
• Keystone Species


  Species with a large effect on its environment relative to abundance.
• Parasitism


  One organism benefits at the expense of another.
• Mutualism


  Relationship where both organisms benefit.
• Commensalism


  Relationship where one organism benefits, the other is unaffected.
• Producers


  Organisms that produce their own food.
• Consumers


  Organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms.
• Decomposers


  Organisms that break down dead organic matter.
• Primary Succession


  Ecological succession starting from bare rock or no soil.
• Secondary Succession


  growth begins again in an existing community usually after a disturbance like a wildfire
• Temperature


  Specific temperature ranges affect organism function.
• Precipitation


  Water availability affects organism distribution and abundance.
• Predators


  Control prey populations, influencing abundance and distribution.
• Competition


  Competition for resources such as food, water, and space can limit population growth and affect species interactions. It can lead to niche differentiation or competitive exclusion.
• Autotrophs


  Organisms that produce their own food using energy from sunlight (photosynthesis) or chemicals (chemosynthesis).

  Example: Plants, algae, certain bacteria.
• Heterotrophs


  Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

  Example: Animals, fungi, most bacteria.
• Levels of organization

  Species --> Population--> Community --> Ecosystem --> Biome --> Biosphere
• Carnivores


  Primarily fee on other animals, adapted for hunting, capturing, and consuming prey
• Herbivores


  animals that primarily feed on plants and plant matter. They have specialized digestive systems for breaking down cellulose and extracting nutrients from plant material.
• Omnivores


  animals that consume both plant and animal matter. They have a flexible diet and can adapt to a wide range of food sources
• Scavengers


  animals that primarily consume dead and decaying organic matter. They play an important role in ecosystem cleanup by recycling nutrients from carcasses
• Detritivores


  organisms that feed on detritus, which consists of dead plant and animal material as well as fecal matter. They break down organic matter into smaller particles, facilitating decomposition and nutrient recycling.

  Ex: earthworms, dung beetles, bacteria, fungi
• trophic levels


  steps of a food chain/food web

  
• Energy pyramids


  shows relative amount of energy in each trophic level

  only 10% of energy is transfered to the next level

  
• Exponential Growth


  growth of population observed under ideal conditions with unlimited resources

  
  

  "J curve"

  
• Invasive Species


  Species introduced to a new habitat that grows unchecked and outcompetes native species

  
  

  *no natural predators to keep the population down
• Carrying capacity


  Max # of individuals of a particular species that an ecosystem can support

  *carrying capacity can change with the seasons
• Limiting factors


  Anything that limits (restricts) the size of a population

  Ex: lack of space leads to overcrowding and disease, high # of predators will limit the # of prey available
• Predator Prey interactions


  population size changes in response to each other

  prey population always rises first bc the predator relies on them