Chapter 2-5 Ecology Study Guide
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Biotic Factor
answer
all the living things in an ecosystem
question
Abiotic Factor
answer
a nonliving part of an ecosystem
question
Niche
answer
organism's role, or job, in its habitat
question
Habitat
answer
the type of environment in which an organism or group normally lives or occurs
question
Population
answer
all the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study
question
Communities
answer
different populations that live together in a defined area
question
Food Chain
answer
a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy
question
Food Web
answer
a community of organisms where there are several interrelated food chains
question
Autotroph
answer
an organism that makes its own food
question
Heterotroph
answer
an organism that cannot make its own food
question
Symbiosis
answer
Any relationship in which two species live closely together
question
Mutualism
answer
both organisms benefit
question
Commensalism
answer
a relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected
question
Parasitism
answer
A relationship between two organisms of different species where one benefits and the other is harmed
question
Primary Succession
answer
succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists
question
Secondary Succession
answer
succession on a site where an existing community has been disrupted
question
Lichen
answer
usualy the first organisms to emerge from a barren area
question
Ecosystem
answer
living and nonliving things in an environment, together with their interactions
question
Exponential Growth
answer
growth pattern in which the individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate
question
Linear Growth
answer
expansion that increases by the same amount during each time interval
question
Slow Life History Patterns
answer
these patterns are common among organisms that live in stable environments, these organisms typically reproduce and mature slowly, and are long- lived. Ex: Humans, elephants, bears
question
Rapid Life History Patterns
answer
these patterns are common among organisms from changing environments. These organisms typically are small, mature fast, reproduce early, and have a short life span. Ex: mosquitoes
question
Density Dependent Factors
answer
limiting factor that depends on population size
question
Density Independent Factors
answer
limiting factor that affects all populations in similar ways, regardless of population size
question
Carrying Capacity
answer
largest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support
question
Limiting Factors
answer
conditions in the environment that put limits on where an organism can live
question
Birthrate
answer
the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area
question
Death Rate
answer
the ratio of deaths in an area to the population of that area
question
Biodeversity
answer
the variety of species that live in an area
question
Species
answer
group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring
question
Edge Effect
answer
the different conditions along the boundaries of an ecosystem
question
Organism
answer
a living thing
question
Native Species
answer
species that have naturally evolved in an area
question
Biology
answer
study of life
question
Ecology
answer
the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment
question
Habitat Degredation
answer
pollution
