Bio Midterm

Nonliving factors in an environment

an organism that obtains organic food molecules without eating other organismsor substances derived from other organisms. Autotrophs use energy from the sun or from theoxidation of inorganic substances to make organic molecules from inorganic ones.

A type of mimicry in which a harmless species looks like a species that ispoisonous or otherwise harmful to predators.

a mutual mimicry by two unpalatable species

the type of cell division by which prokaryotes reproduce. Each dividing daughtercell receives a copy of the single parental chromosome.

a trophic process in which retained substances become more andmore concentrated with each link in the food chain

the dry weight of organic matter comprising a group of organisms in a particularhabitat

Pertaining to living factors of an environment (predation, herbivory, etc.)

the maximum population size that can be supported by the availableresources, symbolized as K

any of the world’s major ecosystems, classified according to the predominant vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment

individuals are aggregated in patches (example: wolves – increases effectiveness ofhunting, spreads the work of protecting and caring for young, helps exclude other individualsfrom their territory)

the number of individuals per unit area or volume

a method of using multiple constraints to estimate the human carryingcapacity on Earth by calculating the aggregate land and water area in various ecosystemcategories appropriated by a nation to produce all the resources it consumes and to absorb allthe waste it generates

a process by which nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, becomehighly concentrated in a body of water, leading to increased growth of organisms such asalgae. Cultural eutophication refers to situations where the nutrients added to the water bodyoriginate mainly from human sources, such as agricultural drainage or sewage

– the warming of planet Earth due to the atmospheric accumulation ofcarbon dioxide, which absorbs reflected infrared radiation and re-reflects some of it backtoward Earth

an organism that obtains organic food molecules by eating other organisms ortheir by-products

the concept that in certain (K-selected) populations, life history is centered aroundproducing relatively few offspring that have a good chance of survival

nutrient-poor, oxygen-rich (see book for opposite)

– an herbivore; an organism in the trophic level of an ecosystem that eatsplants or algae

an autotroph, usually a photosynthetic organism. Collectively autotrophsmake up the trophic level of an ecosystem that ultimately supports all other levels

the division of environmental resources by coexisting species suchthat the niche of each species differs by one or more significant factors from the niches of allcoexisting species

the concept that in certain (r-selected) populations, a high reproductive rate is thechief determinant of life history

– a member of the trophic level of an ecosystem consisting of carnivores that eat herbivores

a type of ecological succession that occurs in a virtually lifeless area, wherethere were originally no organisms and where soil has not yet formed

a type of succession that occurs where an existing community has beencleared by some disturbance that leaves the soil intact

the different feeding relationships in an ecosystem, which determine the routeof energy flow and the pattern of chemical cycling

evenly spaced, may result from direct interactions between individuals in thepopulation. Aggressive interaction may occur between neighbors (example: penguins)

– an element that must be added for production to increase in aparticular area

Animals with chemical defenses displaying bright coloration suchas the poison arrow frog

Camoflauge

Both species benefit

One species benefits, the other is neither harmed nor helped

Species most abundant in a community or that have the highest biomass

Not necessarily abundant but exerts strong control on community structures

Moderate levels of disturbance aid in species diversity, but too high hinder it. Fires allow news species to take hold, e.g.

• Primary: When no soil is left behind (glacier, tidal wave), very gradual redevelopment
• Secondary: Soil is left behind (fire), Area often quickly returns to similar to its original state