6 - Unit 3 Ecology final flashcard

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

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What factors can affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

Back

Factors include availability of resources (food, water, shelter), predation, disease, and environmental conditions.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Back

Sunlight is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems, as it is used by producers to create food through photosynthesis.

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Define autotrophs.

Back

Organisms that can produce their own food from inorganic substances, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

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Define heterotrophs.

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Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for energy.

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What is biodiversity?

Back

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species and their relative abundance.

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How does increased biodiversity affect ecosystem stability?

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Increased biodiversity generally leads to greater ecosystem stability, as it enhances resilience to disturbances and promotes a variety of ecological interactions.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

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Producers, such as plants, convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

Front

What is the significance of sunlight in desert ecosystems?

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Sunlight is the main energy source for producers in desert ecosystems, enabling them to grow and support other organisms.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, defined by how an organism obtains its energy.