Questions and Answers
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.
False
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.
Signup and view all the answers
Logistic growth is a type of population growth that occurs with unlimited resources.
Signup and view all the answers
Density-dependent factors are affected by natural disasters and climate change.
Signup and view all the answers
Species diversity is a measure of the number of different species in a community.
Signup and view all the answers
Mutualism is a type of species interaction where one species benefits and the other species is harmed.
Signup and view all the answers
Community stability is the ability of a community to resist disturbances but not recover from them.
Signup and view all the answers
The carbon cycle involves the exchange of oxygen between atmosphere, land, and water.
Signup and view all the answers
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
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Understand the fundamentals of ecology, including the study of relationships between living organisms and their environment, levels of organization, and ecosystem components.
