Exam 2 Study Guide PDF

What is an Environment? An environment includes all the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors that affect organisms. Difference between Biotic and Abiotic Factors: ○ Biotic Factors: Living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria)....

What is an Environment? An environment includes all the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors that affect organisms. Difference between Biotic and Abiotic Factors: ○ Biotic Factors: Living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria). ○ Abiotic Factors: Non-living components (e.g., temperature, water, soil). What is an Ecosystem? An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. Difference between a Producer and a Consumer: ○ Producers: Organisms (like plants) that make their own food through photosynthesis. ○ Consumers: Organisms that eat other organisms for energy. What is meant by a Trophic Level? Trophic levels are the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on. Difference between Herbivore, Omnivore, and Carnivore: ○ Herbivore: Eats plants. ○ Carnivore: Eats animals. ○ Omnivore: Eats both plants and animals. Difference between a Food Chain and a Food Web: ○ Food Chain: A linear sequence of who eats whom in an ecosystem. ○ Food Web: A complex network of interconnected food chains. Importance of Decomposers: Decomposers break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, which supports plant growth. Importance of Energy in Ecosystems: Energy flows through ecosystems, driving processes like growth and reproduction. The ultimate source of energy is the sun. First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics: ○ First Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. ○ Second Law: Energy transformations are not 100% efficient; some energy is lost as heat, affecting energy availability in ecosystems. Trophic Pyramids: Trophic pyramids illustrate the energy or biomass at each trophic level. For example, in a terrestrial ecosystem, the base may consist of grass (producers), followed by herbivores (primary consumers), then carnivores (secondary consumers). Community Interactions What is a Community? A community is a group of different species living in the same area. Examples include a forest community, coral reef community, and grassland community. What is Habitat? A habitat is the natural environment in which an organism lives. Examples include forests, deserts, wetlands, and oceans.  What is a Niche? A niche is the role or function of an organism within its ecosystem. For example, bees pollinating flowers. What is Mutualism? A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit. Example: Bees and flowering plants. What is Symbiosis? A close interaction between two different species, which can be mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic. Example: Clownfish and anemones (mutualism). What is Competition? The struggle between organisms for the same resources. Example: Two bird species competing for the same nesting sites. What is Parasitism? A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another. Example: Ticks feeding on mammals. What is Commensalism? A relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Example: Barnacles on a whale. Difference between Intraspecific and Interspecific Competition: ○ Intraspecific Competition: Competition between members of the same species. ○ Interspecific Competition: Competition between different species. What is Predation? An interaction where one organism (the predator) eats another (the prey), affecting population dynamics and community structure. Chapter 32: Biomes What is a Biome? A biome is a large geographical area characterized by specific climate conditions, plants, and animals. Major biomes include: ○ Tropical Rainforest: High biodiversity, warm, and wet. ○ Desert: Low rainfall, extreme temperatures. ○ Grassland: Dominated by grasses, moderate rainfall. ○ Temperate Forest: Deciduous and coniferous trees, moderate climate. ○ Tundra: Cold, low biodiversity, permafrost. Define Pollution: Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the environment. Examples include air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination. Biological Diversity: Biological diversity (biodiversity) refers to the variety of life in an area, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Its value includes ecosystem resilience, resources for medicine, and aesthetic benefits. Global Climate Change: A long-term change in Earth's climate, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, leading to global warming and altered weather patterns. Causes of Extinction: ○ Habitat destruction ○ Climate change ○ Overexploitation ○ Invasive species ○ Pollution  Current Conservation Techniques: ○ Protected areas (national parks) ○ Restoration ecology ○ Captive breeding programs ○ Sustainable practices Human Impact on Ecosystems: Humans affect ecosystems through urbanization, deforestation, pollution, climate change, and resource overexploitation. Chapter 30: Population Ecology What is a Population? A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. What is an Age Distribution Diagram? A graphical representation showing the age structure of a population. Major age groups are: ○ Pre-reproductive (young) ○ Reproductive (adults) ○ Post-reproductive (elderly) What is Population Density? The number of individuals per unit area or volume. Reproductive Capacity (Biotic Potential): The maximum reproductive rate of an organism under ideal conditions. Three Phases of Exponential Population Growth: ○ Lag Phase: Slow growth as the population establishes. ○ Exponential Phase: Rapid population increase. ○ Deceleration Phase: Growth slows as resources become limited. Difference between Exponential and Logistic Growth Models: ○ Exponential Growth: Unlimited resources, leads to rapid population increase. ○ Logistic Growth: Limited resources, population growth levels off as it reaches carrying capacity. Limiting Factors: Environmental conditions that restrict population growth. Examples include food availability, predation, disease, and habitat space. Carrying Capacity: The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely. Density-Dependent vs. Density-Independent Factors: ○ Density-Dependent Factors: Influence population size based on density (e.g., competition, predation). ○ Density-Independent Factors: Affect population size regardless of density (e.g., natural disasters, climate).