Organization of Groupings in Environments
All living and nonliving things in an environment
Ecosystem
The path of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem
Food Chain
The largest population an area can support
Carrying capacity
This is the type of relationship that helps one organism but harms the other
parasitism
All members of ONE SPECIES in an ecosystem. (Example: All bottle-nosed dolphin in the Caribbean)
Population
A group of different paths of energy and nutrients that are connected
Food Web
Part 1: Any resource that limits a population's growth is called
Part 2: Give 2 examples of these in ecosystems
Part 1: Limiting Factor
Part 2: Amount of Rainfall and Space
This is the type of relationship between 2 organisms that helps one organism without harming the other.
Commensalism
All the living things in an ecosystem
Community
Organisms that eats producers
Herbivores
Explain how biotic factors can limit growth
Answers will vary.
Example: A prairie ecosystem has more producers than a desert ecosystem. The prairie can support more herbivores. This also means that it can support more carnivores. On the other hand, a desert ecoystem has fewer producers. This means it also has fewer herbivores and carnivores.
This is the type of relationship between 2 organisms that helps both organisms
Mutualism
An organism that hunts other organisms for food
Predator
Organisms that eat other animals
Carnivores
Describe a situation in which a shortage of resources in an environment will impact the survival of some individuals in a population.
Answers will vary, but should include abiotic and/or biotic limiting factors.
Describe an example of Mutualism
Ants defend the acacia tree from pests.
The acacia tree provides food and a home for the ants.
An organism that is eaten by other organisms
Prey
Organisms that break down wastes, plants, and animals. (Example: Fungi)
Decomposers
How can overcrowding limit growth of a species?
Example: Algae in nutrient-rich ponds can grow too thick. They will use up the oxygen in the pond. Without enough oxygen, the algae and other organisms begin to die off.
Describe an example of Parisitism.
Ticks are parisites. Their hosts are humans. The tick attaches itself to the host. It feeds on the host's blood. The host is harmed by this relationship.