Ecology
Process by which all of the other living organisms on the Earth changed over time from their early ancestor species.
Organism
Individual living thing. A single species of organism is one that is similar enough to breed and produce healthy, fertile offspring.
Population
Includes all the members of a species that live in the same area at the same time.
Biological Community
Made up of all the populations in an area.
Ecosystem
Includes the biological community and the surrounding physical environment.
Biosphere
The part of Earth that supports life.
Habitat
Each organism's particular environment in which they live.
Critical Factor
The factor closest to the tolerance level for a given species.
Natural Selection
Process where individuals with certain genes survive and reproduce more successfully than others. Over time, these genes become more prevalent throughout the population.
Speciation
The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution
Biodiversity
The number of different species within an area or ecosystem.
Density Dependent Resistance Factors
Things such as disease, which affects dense populations.
Density Independent Resistance Factors
Things such as natural disasters or climate change, which similarly affects all populations.
Symbiosis
The interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.
Evolution
The study of the relationship between organisms and the living and nonliving parts of the environment.
What are the Biological Levels of Organization, form smallest to largest?
Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ Systems, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, and Biosphere.
Cell
Smallest unit of life that can still respond to the environment, self-replicate and perform all other biological factors.
Tissue
Groups of cells that have similar shape and function.
Organ
Collection of tissue that work together to perform a task in the body.
Organ Systems
Multiple organs that work together to perform one or more functions.
Habitat
Each organism has a particular type of environment where it can survive
Abiotic Factors
Includes all the nonliving factors like soil composition, surrounding landforms, and climate
Bionic Factors
Includes all the living organisms or organisms that were once alive.
What makes Biotic and Abiotic factors different?
Abiotic factors are nonliving factors, like dirt. Biotic factors are things that are alive or were once alive.
Explain the Optimal range, Physiological Stress zones, and Intolerance zones.
Optimal Range is where a species can flourish. Physiological Stress zones are where the species can survive, but with discomfort, and Intolerance zones are where the species will not survive.
Physical Adaptations
Develop over generations. Example is the shape of a bird's beak.
Behavioral Adaptations
Adaptations that help an animal survive and flourish. Example is migration or marking territory.
Physiological Adaptations
Occurs internally at the cell or tissue level. Example is temperature regulation.
Genetic Diversity
Small physical, behavioral, or physiological differences. Created by random mutations in DNA.
Physical Similarities
Example is animals having similar bones in their bodies.
Comparing DNA
Chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans share 99% of the same DNA.
Vestigial Structures
Things that exist in the body but are no longer needed, such as wisdom teeth.
Difference between Divergent and Convergent Speciation
A divergent species is one species that splits into two different species. A convergent species is two species that evolve to look similar.
The five stages of evolution by Natural Selection
Organisms (Producing Offspring) Environment (Resources are limited and there are predators) Organisms (There are variations among organisms within a population) Advantages (Inherited traits make some better) Generations (Each generations gets more and mor
The four factors that can favor certain individuals in a population
Physiological Stress (Inappropriate levels of moisture, light, and pH) Predation (When one animal is killed by another) Competition (Organisms fighting to use the same resources) Sexual Selection (When females respond to specific behaviors)
Artificial Selection vs Natural Selection
Natural Selection is naturally occurring while artificial selection is driven by humans.
Prokaryote
Have no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, are classified as archaea and Bacteria.
Eukaryote
Have a nucleus and organelles, have their own domain called Eukarya.
Monerans
Include all prokaryotic organisms
Protists
Includes producers, consumers, single-celled, and multicellular organisms
Fungi
Absorb nutrients from the environment
Plantae
Organisms that perform photosynthesis
Animalia
Motile, Consumers, and eat by indigestion.
How to use a Scientific Name
You use Genus and Species. When typed you do it italicized, and Genus its capital, but species is not.
Why do some animals have similar scientific names?
Some animals have similar names because they split into different species recently.
Logistic Growth
Takes the shape of an S. Most common growth pattern.
Exponential Growth
Takes the shape of a J. Occurs when there is a absence of growth-limiting factors.Doesn't normally happen.
Overshoot
When population exceeds the carrying capacity
Dieback
When a large population dies out to go back under the carrying capacity.
Mutualism
When the relationship benefits both animals. Clownfish have a home in anemone, attracting other fish for the anemone to eat.
Commensalism
When one benefits and the other is unaffected. An example is barnacles attaching to whales.
Parasitism
When one benefits at the expense of another. An example is Mistletoe growing, eating the nutrients of trees.
Intraspecific Competition vs Interspecific Competition
Intraspecific Competition is when the same species compete for resources. Interspecific Competition is when different species fight for resources.
Majority of known species are what?
Insects
Why should animals have a scientific name?
Some animals have many names, so scientific names allow for people to know exactly what animal you are talking about.