Download 0 Science 10 - Chapter 1.2 Notes

Science 10 – Chapter 1.2 Notes
Ecosystem (pg. 36) Has abiotic components (water, oxygen, nutrients, light, soil) that interact with biotic components
(plants, animals, and micro-organisms). Biomes have MANY ecosystems
Habitat (pg. 36) The part of the ecosystem where organisms live
Water (pg. 37) Is crucial to all organisms because all cells are 50-90% water. Water also carries nutrients from one part of
the ecosystem to the other
Nutrients (pg. 37) Required for plant and animal growth (ex. Nitrogen, Phosphorous)
Photosynthesis (pg. 37) A chemical reaction converts solar energy into chemical energy used by plants (requires light)
Soil (pg. 38) Is important because it 1) provides nutrients for plants and 2) supports many species of small organisms
(some of these organisms (ex. bacteria) break down pollutants and others (ex. beetles) store carbon by eating insects
Species (pg. 39) A group of closely related organisms that can reproduce with another
Population (pg. 39) All the members of a particular species within an ecosystem
Community (pg. 39) All the populations of the different species that interact with one another in a specific area or
ecosystem
Ecological Hierarchy (pg. 39) The BIOTIC interactions are sometimes ordered into this hierarchy. Organism -> Population
-> Community -> Ecosystem
Symbiosis (pg. 40) The interaction between members of two different species that live together in a close association.
Three kinds of symbiotic interactions in an ecosystem are: Commensalism, Mutualism, & Parasitism
Commensalism (pg. 40) (+/0 or positive/neutral) A symbiotic relationship where ONE species benefits and ANOTHER
species gains nothing nor loses nothing from the relationship. (Ex. Barnacles and Whales, Barnacles get to move around,
whales unhurt)
Mutualism (pg. 41) (+/+ or positive/positive) A symbiotic relationship where BOTH species benefit from their interaction
(Ex. Squirrels and Fungus, Ants and Bullhorn Acacia). The most famous example of mutualism is Lichens: The Algae part
of the Lichen produces sugar and water through photosynthesis for the Fungi and the Fungi produce carbon dioxide, water
and minerals for the Algae
Parasitism (pg. 42) (+/- or positive/negative) A symbiotic relationship where ONE species benefits and ANOTHER
species is hurt from the relationship. Parasites are usually much smaller and more numerous than their hosts. (Ex. Worms
& Dogs). Brood parasitism is when one species of birds lays its eggs in another species of birds nest
Niche (pg. 44) The special roles organisms play in the ecosystem they live. The niche is how the organism
CONTRIBUTES and FITS INTO ITS ENVIRONMENT. All the physical, chemical and biological interactions required for a
species to GROW, SURVIVE, and REPRODUCE are part of the organism’s niche
Competition (pg. 45) Harmful interaction between two or more organisms that CAN occur when the two or more organisms
compete for the same resource (food, water, habitat, etc). Competition CAN limit the size of a population
Predation (pg. 46) The term used to describe predator-prey interactions in which one organism (the predator) eats all or
part of another organism (the prey). Prey adapt to keep from being eaten (camouflage, mimicry, etc). The size of prey
population can be affected b y the number of predators
Loss of Biodiversity (pg. 48) Mostly due to the direct loss of habitat
Forest Ecosystem Benefits (pg. 48) Prevent soil erosion, store nutrients, control climate, and provide habitat for many
species of plants, mammals, birds, fish and amphibians. Additionally, forests provde medicine and wood for humans
Wetland Benefits (pg. ) Purify water and prevent flooding