Ecology

• Abiotic factors

  The physical, non-living components of an ecosystem which may affect a community
• Biotic factors

  A living factor which may affect the community
• Community

  All of the populations within an ecosystem meaning all the living organisms of all species
• Ecosystem

  The interaction of the community and the environment meaning all the biotic and abiotic combined
• Habitat

  The place where an organism lives
• Population

  All of the individuals of a particular species in a given place at the same time
• Interdependence

  When all species in a community depend on each other
• Pathogen

  Virus / Bacteria
• Examples of Abiotic factors

  • Temperature
  • Light intensity
  • Carbon dioxide/Oxygen concentration
  • Water
• Examples of Biotic factors

  • Predation
  • Availability of food
  • Competition
  • Pathogens
• Species

  A group of the same organism that breed to produce fertile offspring
• Adaptation

  Special features which make it possible for organisms to survive
• Three types of Adaptations

  • Structural
  • Physiological/Functional
  • Behavioural
• Structural Adaptation

  A feature of an organism that helps it survive/reproduce
• Physiological/Functional Adaptation

  A process that helps an organism survive/reproduce
• Behavioural Adaptation

  Responses made by the organism that help it to survive/reproduce
• Examples of structural adaptations

  • Sharp claws for catching prey
  • Plants having waxy cuticles to reduce water loss
  • Camouflage to hide from predators
  • Ducks having webbed feet to glide through water
• Examples of physiological/functional adaptations

  • Snakes producing poison to attack predators
  • Skunks producing odour to scare off predators
• Examples of behavioural adaptations

  • Avoiding coming out of their habitat to avoid predators, sunlight or cold climate
  • Birds migrating to warmer climates