What is ecology?
scientific study of interaction between organisms (living AND nonliving)
What is a "living environment"?
portions of the earth that supports life is called the biosphere, extends from the top of the atmosphere and the bottom of the ocean.
What is a biotic factor?
all living organisms in an environment
What is a abiotic factor?
all nonliving organisms in an environment
Examples of abiotic factors
air current, light, soil
What are the five levels of organization?
Organisms, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere
What is studied in the level of "organisms"?
habitat and niche
What is a habitat?
A place where an organism lives
What is a niche?
How a species uses and effects its environment. Only one species may occupy a niche without competition.
What are some examples of a niche?
Zebra mussels and purple loose strife
What happens in a "population"?
Group of organisms of one species that interbreed, live in the same place at the same time.
What happens in a "community"?
Collections of interacting populations. A change in one will change another.
What is an example of a community?
Hawk vs Mouse. (Predator Prey Relationship)
What happens in a "ecosystem"?
interactions among populations in a community AND abiotic factors (land and water ecosystems)
What happens in a "biosphere"?
Entire planet (living and nonliving)
How do autotrophs obtain energy? What is their other name? What is an example? Can they make their own food?
From the sun; Producers; Plants; Yes
How do heterotrophs obtain energy? What is their other name? What are some examples? Can they make their own food?
Depend of autotrophs for energy; Consumers; Herbivores, Carnivores, Scavengers, Omnivores, Decomposers; No.
What is symbiosis?
close, permanent association of 2 different species "living together
What is commensalism? Examples?
One species benefits the other is not benefited or harmed; Birds living in trees & moss on trees.
What is mutualism? Examples?
Both species benefits; Termites and One-Celled Organisms
What is parasitism? Example?
One organism benefits but harms the other one; Tapeworms in a dog's intestines
What does a food chain show?
How matter and energy moves throughout an ecosystem
What contains the most energy?
Autotroph
Energy isn't lost it is just _____ while being turned into ______
Being transferred; heat energy
Each organism in a food chain represents a.....
Feeding step or TROPHIC LEVEL
What is at the bottom of an Eco Pyramid?
Producers
What is the second one up from the bottom in the Eco Pyramid?
Herbivores
What is the third one up from the bottom in the Eco Pyramid?
Carnivores
What is on the top of the Eco Pyramid?
Top Carnivores
How much energy is lost at EACH level?
90 percent
What are food webs?
express all possible food chains at each trophic level in a community