Questions and Answers
What are limiting factors?
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?
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What is predation?
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What is habitat disruption?
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What is carrying capacity?
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Define a population in ecology.
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What is an ecosystem?
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What are abiotic factors?
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What are biotic factors?
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What does it mean for a factor to be biotic?
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What does it mean for a factor to be abiotic?
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Define an organism.
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What is a community in ecology?
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What is a biome?
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What is a limiting factor?
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Give examples of abiotic factors.
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Give examples of biotic factors.
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What is meant by environment in ecological terms?
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What defines a species?
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What characterizes competition in ecology?
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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.
