IB ESS Topic 2 (2.1, 2.2, 2.5) Flashcard Review

Front

What are biotic factors in an ecosystem?

Back

Biotic factors are living or once-living organisms in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Front

Define carrying capacity.

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

Front

What is interspecific competition?

Back

Interspecific competition occurs when different species compete for the same resources, such as food or habitat.

Front

Explain density-dependent factors.

Back

Density-dependent factors are environmental factors whose effects on the population change as population density changes, such as predation and competition.

Front

What is the role of a predator in an ecosystem?

Back

Predators help control the population of prey species, maintaining balance in the ecosystem.

Front

Define abiotic factors.

Back

Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem, such as water, sunlight, temperature, and soil.

Front

What is the significance of the predator-prey relationship?

Back

The predator-prey relationship is crucial for regulating population sizes and maintaining ecological balance.

Front

What is the difference between intraspecific and interspecific competition?

Back

Intraspecific competition occurs between individuals of the same species, while interspecific competition occurs between individuals of different species.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow.

Front

Define ecological niche.

Back

An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in its environment, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other species.