What is a resource?
A supply of something useful for survival
Resources can include food, water, shelter, and other essentials needed by organisms.
What does competition refer to in ecology?
A struggle between two or more organisms for the same resource
Competition can occur within a species (intraspecific) or between different species (interspecific).
What is symbiosis?
A close relationship in which two or more organisms from different species live together
Symbiosis can involve mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism.
Define host.
An organism that has a parasite living in or on it
Hosts provide resources and habitat for parasites.
What does the term ‘niche’ refer to?
The role of an organism in a habitat
A niche includes how an organism interacts with the biotic and abiotic factors in its environment.
Define ‘food web’.
A system of several overlapping food chains
Food webs illustrate the complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
What is the primary function of a food web?
To show the interconnected feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem
It highlights the diversity of diets and energy flow in ecological systems.
Fill in the blank: A _______ is a system of several overlapping food chains.
food web
True or False: A niche can be defined as the geographic location of a species.
False
A niche encompasses more than just location; it includes the role and interactions of the organism.
What is camouflage?
The coloring or patterns that allow a species to blend in with its habitat
Camouflage helps species avoid predation and enhances their survival in the wild.
What is mimicry?
The resemblance of one species to another
Mimicry can provide advantages such as protection from predators.
What is the movement of energy within a system called?
Energy flow
Energy flow is a crucial concept in understanding how energy is transferred and transformed within ecological systems.
Define natural cycle in the context of ecosystems.
A process in which nutrients and other resources are repeatedly transferred throughout an ecosystem
Natural cycles include processes such as the water cycle, carbon cycle, and nitrogen cycle.
What is pollution?
The introduction of poisons or garbage into an ecosystem
Pollution can have detrimental effects on wildlife and natural resources.
What is deforestation?
The removal of most or all trees from a forest
Deforestation can lead to habitat loss, climate change, and soil erosion.
What does ‘deforestation’ refer to?
The removal of most or all trees from a forest
What is ‘conservation’?
The protection and restoration of species and natural resources in an ecosystem
