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Questions and Answers
The biosphere is a group of different species living in a specific area.
The biosphere is a group of different species living in a specific area.
False
Decomposers are a type of consumer that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
Decomposers are a type of consumer that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
False
At each trophic level, 90% of energy is transferred to the next level.
At each trophic level, 90% of energy is transferred to the next level.
False
The nitrogen cycle involves the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen.
The nitrogen cycle involves the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen.
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Logistic growth is a type of population growth that occurs with unlimited resources.
Logistic growth is a type of population growth that occurs with unlimited resources.
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Density-dependent factors are affected by natural disasters and climate change.
Density-dependent factors are affected by natural disasters and climate change.
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Species diversity is a measure of the number of different species in a community.
Species diversity is a measure of the number of different species in a community.
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Mutualism is a type of species interaction where one species benefits and the other species is harmed.
Mutualism is a type of species interaction where one species benefits and the other species is harmed.
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Community stability is the ability of a community to resist disturbances but not recover from them.
Community stability is the ability of a community to resist disturbances but not recover from them.
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The carbon cycle involves the exchange of oxygen between atmosphere, land, and water.
The carbon cycle involves the exchange of oxygen between atmosphere, land, and water.
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Study Notes
Ecology
Definition
- Study of the relationships between living organisms (biotic factors) and their environment (abiotic factors)
Levels of Organization
- Organism: individual living thing
- Population: group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area
- Community: group of different species living in a specific area
- Ecosystem: community of living and non-living components interacting with each other
- Biosphere: all ecosystems on Earth
Ecosystem Components
- Biotic factors:
- Producers (autotrophs): plants, algae, and some bacteria that make their own food
- Consumers (heterotrophs): animals, fungi, and some bacteria that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers: organisms that break down dead organic matter
- Abiotic factors:
- Light
- Temperature
- Water
- Soil
- Air
- Nutrients
Energy Flow
- Energy from the sun is absorbed by producers through photosynthesis
- Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next through consumption
- Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level (only 10% is transferred to the next level)
Nutrient Cycles
- Carbon cycle: carbon is exchanged between atmosphere, land, and water through photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition
- Nitrogen cycle: nitrogen is converted between different forms (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) through nitrogen fixation, ammonification, and denitrification
- Water cycle: water is circulated between atmosphere, land, and water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
Population Dynamics
- Population growth:
- Exponential growth: rapid growth with unlimited resources
- Logistic growth: growth slows down as resources become limited
- Population regulation:
- Density-dependent factors: competition, predation, disease, and environmental stress
- Density-independent factors: natural disasters, climate change, and human activities
Community Ecology
- Species interactions:
- Predation
- Competition
- Mutualism
- Commensalism
- Community structure:
- Species richness: number of different species
- Species diversity: variety of species and their relative abundance
- Community stability: ability to resist and recover from disturbances
Ecology
Definition and Scope
- Ecology is the study of relationships between living organisms and their environment
- It examines the interactions between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors
Levels of Organization
- Organism: individual living thing, such as a plant or animal
- Population: group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area
- Community: group of different species living in a specific area
- Ecosystem: community of living and non-living components interacting with each other
- Biosphere: all ecosystems on Earth
Ecosystem Components
Biotic Factors
- Producers: plants, algae, and some bacteria that make their own food through photosynthesis
- Consumers: animals, fungi, and some bacteria that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers: organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as fungi and bacteria
Abiotic Factors
- Light: necessary for photosynthesis and affects ecosystem processes
- Temperature: influences metabolic rates, growth, and distribution of organisms
- Water: essential for life and affects ecosystem processes
- Soil: provides nutrients, support, and habitat for organisms
- Air: provides oxygen and carbon dioxide for organisms
- Nutrients: essential for growth and development of organisms
Energy Flow
- Energy from the sun is absorbed by producers through photosynthesis
- Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next through consumption
- Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level, with only 10% transferred to the next level
Nutrient Cycles
Carbon Cycle
- Carbon is exchanged between atmosphere, land, and water through photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition
- Carbon is stored in fossil fuels, oceans, and terrestrial ecosystems
Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrogen is converted between different forms (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) through nitrogen fixation, ammonification, and denitrification
- Human activities, such as fertilizer use, have increased nitrogen availability
Water Cycle
- Water is circulated between atmosphere, land, and water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
- Human activities, such as irrigation and deforestation, affect the water cycle
Population Dynamics
Population Growth
- Exponential growth: rapid growth with unlimited resources
- Logistic growth: growth slows down as resources become limited
Population Regulation
Density-Dependent Factors
- Competition: individuals compete for resources
- Predation: individuals are preyed upon by predators
- Disease: individuals are affected by disease
- Environmental stress: individuals are affected by environmental factors
Density-Independent Factors
- Natural disasters: earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires
- Climate change: changes in temperature and precipitation patterns
- Human activities: habitat destruction, pollution, and overhunting
Community Ecology
Species Interactions
- Predation: one species consumes another
- Competition: species compete for resources
- Mutualism: species benefit from each other's presence
- Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected
Community Structure
- Species richness: number of different species
- Species diversity: variety of species and their relative abundance
- Community stability: ability to resist and recover from disturbances
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Description
Understand the fundamentals of ecology, including the study of relationships between living organisms and their environment, levels of organization, and ecosystem components.
