Plants and Animals and Ecology

Animalia: Motility

• Most organisms in the Animalia kingdom are motile, meaning they can move.

• All organisms in the Animalia kingdom are stationary and cannot move.

• Only a few organisms in the Animalia kingdom can move, while the rest are immobile.

• Organisms in the Animalia kingdom can only move during certain seasons.

What are Chordates?

• Main characteristic is a hollow nerve cord along the back surrounded by a bony spinal column

• They are characterized by having a hard exoskeleton and jointed legs

• Chordates are primarily aquatic animals with gills throughout their life

• They possess a segmented body and a tough outer cuticle

Scavengers

• Eat live plants.

• Eat dead stuff.

• Hunt for their food.

• Gather fruits and seeds.

Definition of 'Niche'

• Niche = a type of animal

• Niche = function within a community

• Niche = a specific habitat

• Niche = a group of organisms

What does the trophic level define?

• An organism's role in the food chain.

• The physical environment of an organism.

• An organism's niche within an ecosystem.

• The reproductive strategy of an organism.

Types of heterotrophic animals

• herbivores

• carnivores

• detritivores

• omnivores

What are Keystone species?

• species that are linked to several other species.

• species that are the largest in size in an ecosystem.

• species that are the most abundant in an ecosystem.

• species that have no significant impact on their ecosystem.

Mutualism

• Both organisms benefit.

• One organism benefits while the other is harmed.

• Both organisms are harmed.

• One organism is unaffected while the other benefits.

Levels of Consumers

• 1. Primary: Gets food from producers (herbivore, omnivore).

• 2. Secondary: Eats primary consumers (carnivore, insectivore, omnivore).

• 3. Tertiary: Eats secondary consumers.

• 4. Quaternary: "top of the food chain."

5 groups of Chordates

• Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.

• Insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and myriapods.

• Mollusks, annelids, echinoderms, and cnidarians.

• Fungi, bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.