Download Relationship Between Organisms and the Environment

Relationship Between Organisms and the Environment
1. Carrying Capacity- The maximum number of a population that can be supported by a
particular ecosystem.
2. Adaptation- A structural or behavioral change that occurs in a population over time that
increases survival .
3. Succession- The gradual replacement of one type of ecological community by another in
the same area, involving a series of orderly changes, especially in the dominant
vegetation. Succession is usually initiated by a significant disturbance of an existing
community.
4. Primary Succession- The sequential development of plant and animal communities in an
area in which no topsoil exists, as on a new lava flow, is called primary succession.
5. Secondary Succession- The development of such communities in an area that has been
disturbed but still retains its topsoil, as in a burned-over area, is called secondary
succession.
6. Decomposition- The process of breaking down organic material, such as dead plant or
animal tissue, into smaller molecules that are available for use by the organisms of an
ecosystem. Decomposition is carried on by bacteria, fungi, protists, worms, and certain
other organisms.
7. Biodiversity- A term that describes the number of different species that live within a
particular ecosystem.
8. Biome- A large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region.
Terrestrial biomes, typically defined by their climate and dominant vegetation, include
grassland, tundra, desert, tropical rainforest, and deciduous and coniferous forests.
There are two basic aquatic biomes, freshwater and marine.
9. Microhabitat- The environment of a very small, specific area.
10. Sustainability- the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural
resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance
11. Ecosystems- A community of organisms together with their physical environment.
12. Community- A group of organisms or populations living and interacting with one
another in a particular environment.
13. Population- A group of individuals of the same species occupying a particular
geographic area.
14. Ecological- the branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between
organisms and their environment, including other organisms.
15. Equilibrium- A stable, balanced, or unchanging system.
Organisms of one type make up a population, different populations make up a community,
different communities and their environment (abiotic things) make up an ecosystem,
ecosystems in a distinct climatic region make up a biome.