Definitions
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Ecology The scientific study of the interations amoung organisms and the environment
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Biotic living (procuders, reducers)
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Abiotic nonliving (air,energy)
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Environmentalism The study of ecological problems in the human context (economics, morals)
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Dynamic steady state occurs when gains and losses are in balence (matter and energy)
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Species Interactios
Predation |
an organism kills and consumes another |
Parasitism |
one organism lives in or on another |
Competition |
when 2 organisms have negative effect on each other because they depend on the same resource |
Mutualism |
when 2 species benifit from each other |
Commensalism |
when 2 species live closely, one benifts but the other is unaffected |
Amensalism |
when 2 specise living close to e ach other, one is negatively affected, but the other is unaffected |
Solar Energy Terms
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Electromagnetic Radiation Energy from the Sun; packed in particles called photons
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Photosynthetically active region wavelengths of light that are suitable for photosysnthesis 400 nm (Violet) to 700 nm(red)
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Chloroplasts specialized cell organelles. Chlorophylls are pigments that absorb the light.
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Light Reactions convert energy from photons into chemical energy
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Dark Reactions aka Calvin cycle, use chemical energy and CO2 to make **sugar
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Photorespiration RuBP combines with a molecule of O2, resulting in CO2 and loss of energy. reverses the gains made by photosynthesis
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C3 Photosynthesis
CO2 + RuBP -> 2 G3P
-catalized by RuBP
-Disadvantages: they need a large amount of Rubisco, and need a lot of O2
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Heat Gain and Loss Terms
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Radiation the emmision of electromagnetic energy by a surface
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Conduction the transfer of the kinetic energy of heat between substances in contact
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Convection the transfer of heat by movement of liquidds and gases
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Evaporation water goes from liquid to gas. removes heat from a surface
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large organisms lose and gain heat less rapidly than smaller organisms due to surface area
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When temps vary it is easier for a lerge animal to maintain a constant internal temperature
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Thermal Inertia the resistance to a change in temp due to a large body volume
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Organization in Ecology
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individual =>population =>community =>ecosystem =>landscape =>biosphere |
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Individual approach understands how adaptations enable it to survive
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Population approach examines variation in the number, density, and composition of individuals
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Community approach understands diversity and interactions of organisms living in the same place
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Ecosystem approach describes the storage and transfer on energy and matter
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Biosphere approach Examines movements of energy and chemicals over the earths surface
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Habitat and Niche
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Habitat place or physical setting in which organism lives
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Examples freshwater, coastal, forests, deserts
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Niche range of conditions tolerated, resources required. No 2 species have the same niche
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Examples different insects prefer to feed on different plants that might be in the same field
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Thermal Optima
Thermal Optima |
the temperature in which an organism best performs |
Its determined by the properties of an organism |
e.g. enzymes and lipids, body form, cells and tissues |
Temps that exceed thermal optima can hurt |
e.g. Coral Bleaching |
Photorespiration
-Reverses the gains made by photosynthesis
-catalized by Rubisco
-becomes more problematic in hot and dry conditions
-Rubisco has a greater tendency to react with O2 when O2 concentration is high, CO2 concentration is low,or temperature is high
-when its hot or dry, stomata will partially close and CO2 concentrations in leaves will be low |
C4 Photosynthesis
-adds a more efficient enzyme
CO2 + PEP -> OAA
-adds a CO2 concentrating mechanism
-disadvantages:less tissue is used for photosynthesis. energy needed for the CO2 pump
-C4 plants are more active at hot times of the year
-C4 grasses occur primarily in warm climates |
CAM Photosynthesis
CAM photosythesis |
a pathway in which the initial assimilation of carbon into OAA occurs at night |
like C4 plants |
CAM plants are better adapted to warm |
Themoregulation
Thermoregulation |
the ability of an organism to control their body temp |
Homeotherms |
organisms that maintain constant temp. allows biochemical reactions to work most efficently (humans) |
Poikilotherms |
organisms that do not have ocnstant body temperature (reptiles) |
Endotherms |
Organisms that can generate metabolic heat to raise body temp |
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mammels and birds, requires alot of work and energy |
Ectotherms |
Organims with body tempsdetermined by their external environments |
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Reptiles, amphibians, insects. tend to be smaller. |
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Food Chain
Producers |
(autotrophs) convert light/chemical energy into resources |
Consumers |
(heterotrophs) obtain their energy from other organisms |
Mixotroph |
can switch between producers and consumers |
Scavengers |
consume dead animals |
Detritivores |
break down dead organic matter (detritus) into smaller particles |
Decomposers |
break down detritus into simpler elements that can be recycled |
Salt Balance in Aquatic Animal
Solute |
a substance dissolved in water. Always different than the concentration in the surrounding water. |
Semipermeable Membranes |
membranes that allow only particular molecules to pass thorugh. Reduces free movement of solutes |
Osmosis |
net movement of water across a semipermeable membrane, towards a higher solute concentration |
Osmotic Potential |
the force with which a solution attracts water by osmosis. expressed in pressure units (MPa) |
Osmoregulation |
mechanims organisms use to maintain a proper solute balance |
Hyperosmotic |
tissue solute concentrations are higher than surrounding water |
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Freshwater Fish |
Hyposmotic |
tissue solute concentrations are lower than surrounding water |
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Saltwater Fish |
Salt Balance in mangroves |
mangrove roots are in salt water, so its hard to take up the water with a high salt load. they have developed specal salt glands on leaves, their cells maintain high sugar, and roots exclude salt by active transport back into the water |
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