APES Unit 1 Ecology

Front

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

Back

The second law of thermodynamics states that energy transformations are not 100% efficient, and some energy is always lost as heat, leading to a decrease in usable energy in a system.

Front

What is resource partitioning?

Back

Resource partitioning is a strategy where different species utilize different resources or the same resource at different times to reduce competition and coexist.

Front

What role does runoff play in ecosystems?

Back

Runoff is the process where water, often containing nutrients like phosphorus, flows over land and enters waterways, impacting aquatic ecosystems.

Front

Define an ecosystem.

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (biotic components) interacting with their physical environment (abiotic components) in a specific area.

Front

What is the phosphorus cycle?

Back

The phosphorus cycle is the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, involving processes like weathering, absorption by plants, and sedimentation.

Front

What is intraspecific competition?

Back

Intraspecific competition is competition among individuals of the same species for limited resources such as food, space, or mates.

Front

What is the law of conservation of matter?

Back

The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system; it can only change forms.

Front

What is commensalism?

Back

Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Front

What are biotic components?

Back

Biotic components are the living parts of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.