Ecology 1A Flashcard

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What is ecology?

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Ecology is the branch of biology that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment.

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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.

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.

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What is an apex predator?

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An apex predator is a predator at the top of a food chain, with no natural predators of its own.

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What is a herbivore?

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A herbivore is a consumer that primarily eats plants.

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What is a carnivore?

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A carnivore is a consumer that primarily eats other animals.

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What is an omnivore?

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An omnivore is a consumer that eats both plants and animals.

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What does the term 'biomass' refer to?

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Biomass refers to the total mass of living matter within a given area or volume.

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What is energy flow in an ecosystem?

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Energy flow in an ecosystem refers to the transfer of energy from one trophic level to another, typically from producers to consumers.