Ecology Terms and Definitions, Quizzes of Biology

Download Ecology Terms and Definitions and more Quizzes Biology in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 ecology DEFINITION 1 the study of organisms and their interaction with the environment TERM 2 abiotic DEFINITION 2 physical environment, environment's nonliving component, chemical:temp, light, water, and air TERM 3 biotic DEFINITION 3 all organisms in the area, the living component of the environment (interactions with other species-e.g., predation, competition) TERM 4 habitat DEFINITION 4 specific environment an organism lives in, includes biotic and abiotic factors of its surroundings TERM 5 organismal ecology DEFINITION 5 an organism's structure, physiology, and (for animals) behavior meet the challenges posed by the environment TERM 6 population ecology DEFINITION 6 the study of biological factors that affect the sizes of populations. including environmental influences on population density and distribution, age structure, and variations in population size TERM 7 community ecology DEFINITION 7 the study of an assemblage of populations of various species living close enough for potential interaction TERM 8 ecosystem ecology DEFINITION 8 all the abiotic factors in addition to the community of species in a certain area, focuses on energy flow and the cycling of chemicals among the various abiotic and biotic factors TERM 9 abiotic factors DEFINITION 9 1. environmental temperature: affects the distribution of organisms bc of its effects on biological processes2. water: availability among habitats3. salinity: affects water balance of organisms through osmosis4. sunlight: light intensity and quality can affect photosynthesis in ecosystems, important to the development and behavior of organisms sensitive to the photoperiod5. wind: amplifies the effects of temperature on organisms by increasing heat loss due to evaporation and convection, can change the morphology of plants TERM 10 aquatic biomes DEFINITION 10 account for the largest part of the biosphere in terms of area TERM 21 demography DEFINITION 21 the study of the vital statistics of a population and how they change over time. death and birth rates are particular interests TERM 22 interspecific competition DEFINITION 22 occurs when species compete for a particular resource that is in short supply TERM 23 competitive exclusion DEFINITION 23 the local elimination of one of the two competing species TERM 24 ecological niche DEFINITION 24 the sum of an organism's abiotic and biotic resources in its environment TERM 25 competitive exclusion principle DEFINITION 25 states that two species competing for the same limiting resources cannot coexist in the same place TERM 26 resource partitioning DEFINITION 26 the differentiation of niches that enables similar species to coexist in a community TERM 27 mutalistic symbiosis DEFINITION 27 an interspecific interaction that benefits both species TERM 28 predation DEFINITION 28 refers to an interaction in which one species (the predator) kills and eats another (the prey) TERM 29 cryptic coloration DEFINITION 29 camouflage spots TERM 30 aposematic coloration DEFINITION 30 warns predators to stay away from prey TERM 31 mimicry DEFINITION 31 in some cases one prey species may gain significant protection by imitating the appearance of another TERM 32 herbivory DEFINITION 32 the consumption of plant parts or algae by an animal. has led to the evolution of plant mechanical and chemical defenses and consequent adaptions by herbivores TERM 33 parasitism DEFINITION 33 one organism derives its nourishment form another which is harmed in the process. exerts substantial influence on populations and the structure of communities. pathogens, disease-causing agents are typically bacteria, viruses, or protists TERM 34 commensalism DEFINITION 34 one species benefits and the other is not affected