Ecosystems
Difference between biotic and abiotic components
Abiotic: non - living environment
Biotic: living environment
What is a niche?
The way in which an organism fits into an ecological community or ecosystem
Describe herbivores
An animal that feeds on plants
Identify the 3 types of interactions between species within an ecosystem
Competition, predation and symbiosis
What is biodiversity?
A general term for a number of species present in the biosphere, by taking into account the number of species and their relative abundance to each other
What is a habitat?
The natural environment of an organism where they live and grow
Describe carnivores and omnivores
Carnivores: an animal that feeds on flesh
Omnivores: an animal or person that eats food of both plant and animal origin
Identify the two types of symbiotic relationships
mutualism, and commensalism
What are heterotrophs organisms?
Organisms that depend on consuming other organisms to sustain and obtain nutrients necessary for their functioning
What is the difference between a niche and a habitat?
A habitat is an environment (place) where a niche is an ideology
Describe scavengers
A bird or animal that feeds on dead animals that has not killed itself
Give the definition of mutualism
Mutualism symbiotic relationship between two species where both species benefit
What are autotrophs organisms?
Any organism that can self-nourish by using inorganic materials as nutrients and using photosynthesis as a source of energy
What is the difference between food webs and food chains?
Food chains are more flexible for analytical modeling, are easier to follow, and are easier to experiment with, whereas food web models more accurately represent ecosystem structure and dynamics, and data can be directly used as input for simulation modeling.
Describe detritus feeders
Heterotrophic organisms that obtain nutrition by eating detritus
Give the definition of commensalism
Commensalism symbiotic relationship in which one member benefits while the other member is not affected
What is the pathway through which chemicals circulate through an ecosystem
Biogeochemical cycle
What is an ecosystem?
A community with living and non-living organisms
Describe decomposers
Organism that decomposes organic material
Describe competition, predation and symbiosis interactions
Symbiosis: ecological relationship between 2 species
Competition: indirect interaction over resources
Predation: ecological relationship, isn't symbiotic, and doesn't occur over a long period of tim