Biotic vs. Abiotic
What are polar bears classified as?
Biotic
What is the highest level of organization?
Biosphere
What describes biotic interactions?
Interactions between living organisms, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis
What is competition?
Answer: When organisms vie for the same limited resources such as food, water, or shelter
What is parasitism?
A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed
What are examples of abiotic factors?
Answer: Sunlight, temperature, water, soil, air
What follows populations in the ecosystem hierarchy?
Communities
Which organisms interact with sunlight?
Producers like plants, algae, and some bacteria
Give an example of two organisms competing.
Lions and hyenas competing for prey
Give an example of mutualism.
Bees and flowers—bees get nectar, flowers get pollinated
What is sunlight classified as?
Abiotic
What is an ecosystem?
A system that includes all living organisms (biotic) in an area as well as their physical environment (abiotic)
What do snails eat in the coral experiment?
Algae
How can animals compete for resources?
By fighting, displaying dominance, or using speed or stealth to get food first
What is commensalism?
A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed
Which is biotic: snow or polar bears?
Polar bears
What are communities made of?
Multiple interacting populations of different species
Give an example of organisms competing.
Two deer fighting over territory or food
What are limited resources?
Resources that are in short supply, such as food, water, space, and mates
How do symbiotic relationships affect organisms?
They can impact survival, reproduction, and resource availability
What makes up biotic factors in an ecosystem?
Living or once-living organisms such as plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi
What is the lowest level of organization?
Organism (or individual)
How do organisms depend on abiotic factors?
They rely on sunlight for energy, water for hydration, air for breathing, and soil for nutrients
What role does a niche play in competition?
A niche defines an organism's role in its environment; species with overlapping niches compete more directly
What is the relationship between cheetahs and antelopes?
Predator-prey relationship (not symbiotic)