Podcast
Questions and Answers
What term refers to all members of the same species inhabiting a particular area?
What term refers to all members of the same species inhabiting a particular area?
Which term describes the movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter?
Which term describes the movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter?
Where does energy flow typically start in an ecosystem?
Where does energy flow typically start in an ecosystem?
What is characteristic of the energy at different levels of a food web?
What is characteristic of the energy at different levels of a food web?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term refers to all the populations found in a particular area?
Which term refers to all the populations found in a particular area?
Signup and view all the answers
In an ecosystem, what is regulated by the food web pathways presented?
In an ecosystem, what is regulated by the food web pathways presented?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for the non-living components of an ecosystem?
What is the term for the non-living components of an ecosystem?
Signup and view all the answers
What do pioneer organisms do in an ecosystem?
What do pioneer organisms do in an ecosystem?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term refers to the place where an organism lives and reproduces?
Which term refers to the place where an organism lives and reproduces?
Signup and view all the answers
What is defined as a major type of community or ecosystem that occupies vast areas?
What is defined as a major type of community or ecosystem that occupies vast areas?
Signup and view all the answers
In the context of ecosystems, what does the term 'succession' refer to?
In the context of ecosystems, what does the term 'succession' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What defines the functional role and position of an organism in an ecosystem?
What defines the functional role and position of an organism in an ecosystem?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'ecology' literally mean?
What does the term 'ecology' literally mean?
Signup and view all the answers
Who coined the term 'ecology'?
Who coined the term 'ecology'?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT one of the three systems of interrelation between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three systems of interrelation between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'Action' refer to in the context of ecosystem interrelations?
What does the term 'Action' refer to in the context of ecosystem interrelations?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a factor that may act as a limiting factor in an environment?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that may act as a limiting factor in an environment?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'Coaction' refer to in the context of ecosystem interrelations?
What does the term 'Coaction' refer to in the context of ecosystem interrelations?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor in ecology?
Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor in ecology?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'habitat' refer to in ecology?
What does the term 'habitat' refer to in ecology?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a biotic factor in ecology?
Which of the following is NOT a biotic factor in ecology?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary focus of the study of ecology?
What is the primary focus of the study of ecology?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem process?
Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem process?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the four main levels of study in ecology?
What are the four main levels of study in ecology?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main characteristic of autotrophs?
What is the main characteristic of autotrophs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which group of consumers feeds directly on green plants?
Which group of consumers feeds directly on green plants?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of organisms break down detritus into inorganic matter to be reused by producers?
What type of organisms break down detritus into inorganic matter to be reused by producers?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of carnivores consume other animals but do not kill them?
Which type of carnivores consume other animals but do not kill them?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the classification of heterotrophs that include plants, fungi, and bacteria living on dead matter?
What is the classification of heterotrophs that include plants, fungi, and bacteria living on dead matter?
Signup and view all the answers
Which group of organisms relies on other organisms for their food?
Which group of organisms relies on other organisms for their food?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Ecosystem Components
- Abiotic Components: non-living components of the ecosystem, including soil, water, light, inorganic nutrients, and weather conditions
- Biotic Components: living components, including habitat and niche
Definitions
- Biosphere: regions of the earth where organisms exist (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere)
- Succession: progressive change in plant and animal life of an area
- Habitat: place where an organism lives and can survive and reproduce
- Biome: a major type of community or ecosystem that occupies vast areas
- Niche: functional role and position of an organism in the ecosystem
Ecosystem Interactions
- Action: the physical environment acts on the community in many ways
- Reaction: the effects of organisms upon their physical environment
- Coaction: the effects one organism has on another
Origin and Word Derivation
- The term "ecology" was coined by Ernst Haeckel in 1866, derived from the Greek "oikos" meaning "house" and "logos" meaning "science" or "study"
Key Terms
- Population: all members of the same species inhabiting a particular area
- Community: all the populations found in a particular area
- Ecosystem: community and its physical environment, characterized by a flow of energy and a cycle of inorganic nutrients
- Succession: progressive change in plant and animal life of an area
Energy Flow
- Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, typically from the Sun, through photosynthetic organisms, to herbivores, to carnivores, and finally decomposers
- There is a decrease in overall energy at each level as you move up the food web
Ecology
- Ecology deals with the study of interrelationships between living organisms and the non-living components in the environment
- Ecosystem processes are those that sustain and regulate the environment
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore key points in ecology, including ecosystems, levels of study, and ecosystem processes. Learn about ecological areas of study such as interactions and adaptations of organisms and abiotic processes that drive ecosystem function.
