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37 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Ecology
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study of the interactions ofliving organisms and their environment
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Organismal Ecology
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How does an organism adapt to their environment
o Ex. Behavior, physiology |
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Population ecology
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Effects on population density and growth
o Population: all individuals of a perfect species |
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Community ecology
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Interactions between different organisms/species
o Ex. Predator/prey interactions o Community: all living organisms in an area |
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Ecosystem ecology
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living/non living factors
o Ex.Energy flow, nutrient cycling |
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Biosphere
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All ecosystems
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Abiotic factors
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non living (chemical and physical)
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Energy: Sunlight
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Source of energy flow through most ecosystems
Difficulty of plant growth when shaded (competition) Algae inhabiting only upper layer of water sunlight-producer (plant)- consumer (animal) • Bacteria using inorganic nutrients (ex. Hydrogen sulfide; chemoautotrophs) |
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Temperature
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• Certain temperatures suitable for life
Why? - Inappropriate temperature causes enzymes to stop working Exceptions: Ex. Archaea “extremeophiles” |
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Water
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• Influences physiology and where and organism lives
• Ex. Photosynthesis, pressure and support in plant cells, large % of blood water |
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Adaptions to prevent water loss
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Cuticle on leaves
Waterproof scales of non avian reptiles |
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Features of aquatic habitats and water that influence physiology/ distribution of organisms:
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Oxygen availability greater in cold, fast flowing water; lower in warm stagnate water
Salinity: Ex. Bacteria in salty conditions may lose water and cells can die; plants in salty conditions may not take up water |
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Nutrients
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• Plants and animals can be nutrient limited
Overcome by varied diet (animals); fertilization (plants) • Aquatic algae usually P limited • Terrestrial N limited • Example of disorder from nutrient deficiency in humans is osteoporosis, which is a calcium deficiency |
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Biotic Factors
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All organisms
o Food o Predators/parasites o Competitors |
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Physiological organismal responses
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o Cold temperature: goosebumps; constricting blood vessels
o Hot temp: Sweating o Acclimation: Gradual response to environmental change • Ex. Increase in number of red blood cells at higher altitudes (increases efficiency of oxygen transport) |
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Anatomical organismal responses
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o Ex. Camouflage; plants extending root system to absorb more water
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Behavioral organismal responses
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o Non avian reptiles sunning; migration due to seasonal temperature changes
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Aquatic: Freshwater
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o Lakes and ponds
o Rivers and streams o Wetlands o Covers less than 1% of the Earth |
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Standing and flowing water
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Dissolved oxygen becomes importantabiotic factor
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Standing water
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lakes and ponds
• Depth of water important to distribution of organisms |
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Pelagic zone
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open water
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Photic zone
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area at top which receives sunlight (photosynthesis occurs); phytoplankton/zooplankton present
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Aphotic zone
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below photic zone (low light/ no photosynthesis)
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Littoral zone
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Part of ocean closest to shore
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Why water freezes top down
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• Water densest at 4 degrees C; this sinks and less dense ice floats at top; warmer water at bottom can be inhabited by fish
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Why is water in lake during summer cooler at greater depths?
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• Cooler water is denser and sinks to the bottom
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Lake stratification: Epilimnion
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warmer, upper layer
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Lake stratification: Hypolimnion
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cooler, bottom layer
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Marine
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o Oceans
o CoralReefs o Estuaries |
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Planktonic
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organisms that swim or float in the water (ex. Algae, bacteria: the” plankton”)
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Phytoplankton
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photosynthetic algae and bacteria
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Zooplankton
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smallanimals (ex. Crustaceans, protozoa)
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Benthic
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organisms that live on the bottom of bodies of water/ sediment
o Habitat characterized by dead organic matter o Worms, insects, crustaceans: the “benthos” |
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Terrestrial
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geographicalarea defined by climate and vegetation
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Upstream
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Narrow channel, swifter flow, low nutrients
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Downstream
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Wider channel, slower flow, higher nutrient/ sediment load
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Wetlands
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area of land where soil is saturated with moisture; serve as buffer zones
• Pollutant absorption • Food erosion/ protection |
