BIO FINAL: pt. 2

• the study of interactions of organisms with each other and in their enviroment
• understanding what sets distribution limits

a place where a population of individuals live

• 1. the presence of relatively large organisms (provides special structure, ex. coral reef)
• 2. predominant physical features (ex. interdial, dessert, deep sea)
• 3. other limiting factors (fire prone, disturbed)

group of individuals of the same species that can interbreed and live in the same habitat

one species at a time

populations of all species that occupy a given habitat

community and physical and chemical enviroment

• 1. producers
• 2. consumers
• 3. decomposers
• 4. derivatives

autotrophs, input energy into the ecosystem

• derive energy from photosynthesis
• ex. plants, algae, some microorganisms

the ecosystem would colapse

derive energy from chemosynthesis

where tectonic plate meet and super heated water is forced up through rock, bringing black smokers up with it

chemoautotroghs

all heterotrophic animals

• herbivores
• predators
• parasites

mostly heterotrophic fungi and bacteria that break down the remains of dead organisms and feces

recycle back into the ecosystem

decomposers

organisms that feed on particles of organic matter

• 1. sunlight
• 2. body temperature
• 3. freshwater
• 4. disturbance
• 5. other (pH, nutrients)

an event that damages physical landscape and kills organisms

conceptual description of resource limitation and abiotic/biotic conditions that allow organisms to survive and reproduce

• range of conditions under which an organism can survive and reproduce in the absence of predation and competition
• can be tested in a lab

physiological limits

a portion of the fundamental niche where limits are set by predators and competitors