AP Biology Unit 8: Ecology

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What is an ecosystem?

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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, encompassing all the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

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What is a community in ecology?

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A community is a group of different species that live together in one area and interact with each other.

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What is a population in ecology?

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A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed.

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What is an individual in ecological terms?

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An individual refers to a single organism of a species.

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What is a trophic level?

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A trophic level is a position in a food chain or energy pyramid, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from one level to the next.

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What is the energy pyramid?

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An energy pyramid is a graphical representation showing the flow of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem, typically illustrating that energy decreases as it moves up the pyramid.

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Why is energy transfer between trophic levels inefficient?

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Energy transfer is inefficient because approximately 90% of energy is lost as heat, through metabolic processes, and in other life activities, leaving only about 10% to be passed to the next level.

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What is a density-independent limiting factor?

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A density-independent limiting factor is a factor that affects population size regardless of the population's density, such as natural disasters.

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What is an ecological niche?

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An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

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What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

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Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals), while abiotic factors are the non-living physical and chemical elements (e.g., water, soil, climate).