BIOLOGY FLASHCARD on Chapter 4 "Ecosystems & Communities"

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

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

Front

What happens if a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

Back

The population starts to die off due to limited resources.

Front

Define 'biome'.

Back

A large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plant and animal communities.

Front

What is a limiting factor?

Back

Any factor that restricts the size of a population, such as food, water, shelter, and space.

Front

Which of the following is a limiting factor: disease, competition, drought, or predation?

Back

All except drought can be limiting factors for populations.

Front

What is a keystone species?

Back

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Front

Give an example of a keystone species.

Back

The sea otter is a keystone species in its ecosystem.

Front

What are the two biomes with the least amount of precipitation?

Back

Tundra and desert.

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

A community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.

Front

Define 'niche'.

Back

The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem.