Ecology Test

Ecology is the study of organisms and their interactions with each other and the environment.

An animal, plant or single celled life form.

All living and non-living things that exist on Earth.

A way of acting that involves taking personal responsibility for the management and care of something.

The ability of populations of organisms to continue to live, interact and to reproduce indefinitely in an environment.

A number of different types of organisms in an area.

Living factor

Ex: Trees, frogs and insects

Non-living factor

Ex: sunlight, rocks and soil

A member of a species.

Members of the same species that live in the same area.

Populations of different species that live and interact in the same area.

Self-regulating system in which living things interact with each other and with non-living things.

A large geographical region that contains similar ecosystems

Part of the planet where life exists.

It relies on interactions between organisms and the environment.

Organisms survive by consuming biotic and abiotic factors

-water (abiotic)

-food (nutrients) (biotic)

-light (abiotic)

-oxygen (abiotic)

Use sunlight to make their own food via photosynthesis.

Ex: Plants, algae

Must eat other organisms for nutrients.

Ex: Deers, wolves, lions

Consume only producers (plants)

Ex: Deers, vegans

Consume only other consumers (meat)

Ex: Lions

Consume both producers and consumers (plants and animals)

Ex: Bears, humans

Organisms which hunt for their live food (their prey).

Ex: Hawks

Consume the remains of dead animals.

Ex: Vultures, raccoons

An organism that lives on/in another organism (the host) and steals nutrients.

Ex: Ticks, hookworms

Consumers that feed on organic matter (remains of dead animals and animal waste-aka poop)

Ex: Maggots, earthworms

Special group of consumers that do not consume matter DIRECTLY. Instead they release a chemical into the soil which breaks down the matter and absorbs the nutrients, and release it back into the soil. Important because they complete a full cycle.

Ex: Fungi, bacteria

Both species benefit from the partnership +/+

Ex: Flowers and bees

One species benefits, but the other is neutral - there is no harm and benefit to them +/0

Ex: golden jackets and tigers

One species benefits, the other is harmed +/-

Ex; Lice and humans

Group of similar organisms that can reproduce with each other and that offspring can also reproduce

- area where organisms live

- the physical environment of an organisms

All interactions of a given species with its ecosystems.

Interaction between two or more organisms competing for the same resources in a given habitat.

Copying the appearance of another species to avoid predators ; for example, the victory butterfly looks very much like the foul tasting miracle butterfly.

Close interaction between two different species in which members or one species live in, on, or near members of another species.

+/+

+/0

+/-

The part of the planet where life exists (includes water, land and air). It is composed of the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Very thin relative to the whole earth

The part of the planet where life exists (includes water, land and air). It is composed of the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Very thin relative to the whole earth.

The layer of gasses that surround the earth. Water vapour and carbon dioxide absorbs sunlight and retain the sun’s heat. Includes many other layers.

The earth solid, rigid, outer layer that includes the crust, upper mantle, and the soil.

All the water on Earth, including water on the surface, underground, and in the air.