What is the definition of abiotic factors?
The nonliving parts of an ecosystem
Abiotic factors include elements like water, sunlight, and minerals.
What are biotic factors?
The living or once-living parts of an ecosystem
Biotic factors include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Define habitat.
The place within an ecosystem that provides the biotic and abiotic factors
A habitat supports the organisms living there.
What is a population in ecological terms?
All the organisms of the same species that live in the same area
Populations can vary in size and density.
What does community refer to in an ecosystem?
All the populations living in an ecosystem
A community includes various species interacting with each other.
What is a niche?
The way a species interacts with abiotic and biotic factors
A niche encompasses the role of a species in its environment.
Define predator.
An organism that hunts and kills other organisms for food
Predators play a crucial role in controlling population sizes.
What is prey?
An organism that is hunted and killed by predators
Prey species are essential for the survival of predators.
Fill in the blank: Ecosystem contains all the __________ and living parts of an ecosystem.
nonliving
Ecosystems are composed of both biotic and abiotic components.
What is the act of one organism, the predator, feeding on another organism, its prey?
Predation
Predation is a fundamental ecological interaction.
Define symbiosis.
A close, long-term relationship between two species
Symbiosis can involve mutual benefits for both species.
In symbiosis, when two species benefit from the relationship, it is called __________.
mutualism
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship.
What is commensalism?
When one species benefits from the relationship, and the other is neither harmed nor benefited
Commensalism is another form of symbiosis.
In parasitism, how do the two species interact?
One species (parasite) benefits and the other (host) is harmed
Parasitism can lead to various health issues for the host.
What does competition describe?
Interactions between two or more organisms
Competition can occur for resources such as food, space, or mates.
Define population density.
The size of a population compared to the amount of space available
Population density can affect resource availability and species interactions.
What is carrying capacity?
The largest number of species a population can hold
Carrying capacity is influenced by environmental factors and resource availability.
Who are producers in an ecosystem?
Organisms that use an outside energy source and produce their own food
Producers are typically plants and some microorganisms.
What is predation?
The act of one organism, the predator, feeding on another organism, its prey.
Predation is a key ecological interaction that affects population dynamics.
Define symbiosis.
A close, long-term relationship between two species.
Symbiosis can involve mutual benefits, commensalism, or parasitism.
What is the difference between commensalism and parasitism?
- Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is neither harmed nor benefited
- Parasitism: One species (parasite) benefits and the other (host) is harmed
These are two types of symbiotic relationships.
What does competition describe?
Interactions between two or more organisms.
Competition can occur for resources such as food, space, and mates.
Define population density.
The size of a population compared to the amount of space available.
Population density can affect resource availability and species interactions.
What is carrying capacity?
The maximum population size that an environment can sustain.
Carrying capacity is influenced by resource availability and environmental conditions.
