18.1.1

Key Terms

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Key Terms - Ecosystems

Studying ecosystems is important to understand how the many different organisms interact with each other and their environment. There are some key terms you should know about ecosystems.

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Ecosystems

  • An ecosystem consists of all the living things in a particular area together with the nonliving parts.
  • When many individuals of the same species occupy the same habitat, they are a population.
  • Multiple populations of different species in the same habitat form a community.
  • A community and the abiotic conditions (e.g. climate) in the environment together form an ecosystem.
    • Ecosystems can be huge (e.g. the Amazon Rainforest).
    • Ecosystems can be relatively small (e.g. rock pools).
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Conditions

  • Abiotic conditions are non-living environmental factors.
    • E.g. Climate, shade cover.
  • Biotic conditions are living environmental factors.
    • E.g. Predation, competition.
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Species & niche

  • A species is a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.
  • Every species has a specific role in an ecosystem.
  • The role is called a niche.
    • E.g. Decomposing bacteria have the role of breaking down waste material and dead organisms.
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Adaptation

  • If an individual is well-suited to surviving in its ecosystem it is said to be adaptive.
  • The characteristics of an individual that help it survive and reproduce are adaptations.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Structure

2Biological Molecules

3Enzymes

4Cell Membranes & Transport

5The Mitotic Cell Cycle

6Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

7Transport in Plants

8Transport in Mammals

9Gas Exchange

10Infectious Diseases

11Immunity

12Energy & Respiration (A2 Only)

13Photosynthesis (A2 Only)

14Homeostasis (A2 Only)

15Control & Coordination (A2 Only)

16Inherited Change (A2 Only)

17Selection & Evolution (A2 Only)

18Classification & Conservation (A2 Only)

19Genetic Technology (A2 Only)

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