Limiting Factors in Ecology Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What are limiting factors?

  • Factors that enhance population growth
  • Only biotic factors
  • Only abiotic factors
  • Biotic or abiotic factors that control the number, distribution, or reproduction of a population within a community (correct)

    • What is competition in ecology?

    Two or more organisms fighting over something

    What does disease represent in population ecology?

    Dependent factor in which illness is spread among organisms

    What happens to organisms if food supply is in short supply?

    <p>Many organisms will fight over it</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is predation?

    <p>Dependent factor in which one organism kills another for food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is habitat disruption?

    <p>Density independent factor where an animal's living space has been disturbed or destroyed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is carrying capacity?

    <p>Largest number of individuals of a population that an environment can support</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define a population in ecology.

    <p>A group of organisms of the same species that share a habitat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an ecosystem?

    <p>All the living and nonliving things in an area that interact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are abiotic factors?

    <p>Nonliving parts of an ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are biotic factors?

    <p>Living parts of an ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean for a factor to be biotic?

    <p>Any factor in the environment that is living (or dead)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean for a factor to be abiotic?

    <p>Any factor in the environment that is not living and has never been alive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define an organism.

    <p>An individual living thing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a community in ecology?

    <p>A group of organisms of more than one species that share a habitat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a biome?

    <p>A group of ecosystems that share a similar climate and species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limiting factor?

    <p>Factors that control or limit the growth or success of an organism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Give examples of abiotic factors.

    <p>Air, water, soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Give examples of biotic factors.

    <p>Birds, bees, butterflies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by environment in ecological terms?

    <p>The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines a species?

    <p>A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes competition in ecology?

    <p>The struggle between organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Limiting Factors

    • Biotic or abiotic factors influence the population size, distribution, and reproduction within a community.
    • Control mechanisms are essential for maintaining ecosystem balance.

    Competition

    • Occurs when multiple organisms vie for the same resources, like food, water, and shelter.
    • It can lead to the exclusion of less competitive species and impacts population dynamics.

    Disease

    • A dependent factor where diseases spread among populations, influencing survival and reproduction rates.
    • Can lead to significant population declines if a large proportion of individuals become infected.

    Food Supply

    • A dependent factor critical for survival; limited food resources can cause intense competition among species.
    • Shortages can lead to starvation, decreased reproduction rates, and increased mortality.

    Predation

    • Involves one organism hunting and killing another for nourishment.
    • A vital ecological interaction that regulates prey populations and supports predator longevity.

    Habitat Disruption

    • A density-independent factor resulting from disturbances like deforestation or pollution.
    • Can displace organisms, forcing them to adapt or relocate to new habitats.

    Carrying Capacity

    • The maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support.
    • Influenced by availability of resources, habitat space, and environmental conditions.

    Population

    • A collection of individuals from the same species sharing a specific area.
    • Dynamics of populations are influenced by factors such as carrying capacity, competition, and predation.

    Ecosystem

    • Encompasses all living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components interacting in a given area.
    • Ecosystem functions depend on the balance between living organisms and their physical environment.

    Abiotic Factors

    • Nonliving components affecting ecosystems, including elements like air, water, soil, and climate.
    • These factors influence species distribution and survival.

    Biotic Factors

    • Living components of an ecosystem, which include organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
    • Their interactions determine community structures and ecosystem dynamics.

    Organism

    • An individual living entity that can perform life processes.
    • Each organism plays a particular role within its ecosystem.

    Community

    • A diverse group of organisms from different species sharing the same habitat.
    • Interactions among community members can involve competition, predation, and symbiosis.

    Biome

    • A large ecological area on Earth with distinct climate and specific plant and animal species.
    • Biomes are composed of multiple ecosystems interconnected by similar environmental conditions.

    Environmental Factors

    • Surrounding conditions affecting living organisms, influencing their growth and survival.
    • Includes both abiotic and biotic elements that contribute to an organism's habitat.

    Species

    • A group of organisms that can mate and produce fertile offspring, sharing common characteristics.
    • Biological diversity is vital for ecosystem resilience and stability.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on limiting factors through these flashcards focusing on both biotic and abiotic components. Understand key concepts like competition and disease, which influence population dynamics within ecological communities.

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