Vocab
This is the definition of symbiosis
What is 'a close physical association between two organisms that are different species, where at least one species benefits?'
This occurs when two or more organisms use the same resources
What is competition?
This is why a mule is not its own species
What is 'because mules are sterile and cannot reproduce to create fertile offspring?'
This is a measure of the total number of organisms per unit of living area
What is population density?
This element is usually the biggest/first limiting factor in terrestrial ecosystems
What is phosphorus?
This is the definition of a keystone species
What is 'any organism that maintains or increases biodiversity by 'propping up' an ecosystem in a way that is disproportionate to their population size?'
This occurs when the last members of a species die out
What is extinction?
This is different about the ecosystem level of organization compared to species, populations, and communities
What is 'ecosystems include both the biotic and abiotic environment?'
What is 'a type of symbiosis where one species benefits and the other species is unaffected; ex: barnacles and whales?'
Define emigration and explain its influence on genetic diversity
What is 'the process by which organisms exit a population and take their unique combinations of genes with them; emigration reduces the genetic diversity of a population?'
This term refers to the part of the open ocean that sunlight can reach
What is the photic zone?
This refers to any biotic or abiotic factor that fundamentally disrupts an ecosystem physically, chemically, or biologically
What is ecosystem disturbance?
List three examples of limiting factors in ecosystems
What are 1) food, 2) shelter, 3) space, 4) sunlight, 5) habitat, 6) mates, etc?
Briefly explain the relationship between genetic diversity and risk of extinction
What is 'the higher the level of genetic diversity, the lower the risk of extinction?'
Why does only 10% of energy make it to the next trophic level?
What is 'because organisms use 90% of the energy on growth, reproduction, maintaining homeostasis, responding to stimuli, metabolism, etc?'
This term refers to the total range of environmental conditions that a species can withstand
What is 'tolerance?'
Give four examples of an ecosystem disturbance
What are 1) hurricane, 2) flood, 3) drought, 4) tornado, 5) wildfire, 6), deforestation, 7) volcanic eruption, 8) deforestation, 9) habitat fragmentation, 10) pollution, 11) ovexploitation, etc?
What is 1) to create cell membranes (phospholipids), 2) to use energy (ATP-ADP cycle), and 3) to form the backbone of our DNA?
What is 1) by making ecosystems more resistant against disturbances and 2) by making ecosystems more resilient after a disturbance?
These are the three general patterns observed for spatial distribution of populations:
What are 1) uniform distribution, 2) random distribution, 3) clumped distribution?
Briefly explain the difference between population density and spatial distribution
What is 'population density is the number of individual organisms per unit of living area; spatial distribution is describing the pattern in which those organisms are distributed across their space?'
Are keystone species always apex predators? Why or why not?
What is 'no - not all keystone species are apex predators. Organisms such as beavers and sea otters play very important roles in maintaining biodiversity in their ecosystems but they are not apex predators?'
Briefly explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration affect the Carbon cycle AND how humans contribute to the global Carbon cycle
What is 'photosynthesis removes Carbon from the atmosphere, cellular respiration puts Carbon back into the atmosphere; humans put large amounts of carbon back into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels?'
Briefly explain the relationship between immigration, genetic diversity, and risk of extinction
What is 'immigration increases the genetic diversity of populations' higher levels of genetic diversity mean the population has a lower risk of extinction?'
These are the three major reasons why biodiversity is important for all living organisms
What is 'high levels of biodiversity help to 1) stabilize ecosystems, 2) support biosphere-level processes, and 3) lower the risk of extinction?'