BIOL4 Key Words

Ecosystem

It is made up of all the interacting biotic and abiotic features in a specific area

Population

A group of interbreeding organisms of one species in a habitat.

Community

All the populations of different organisms living and interacting in a particular place at the same time.

Habitat

The place where a community of organisms lives.

Ecological niche

This describes how an organism fits into the environment. It refers to where an organism lives and what it does there. It includes all the biotic and abiotic conditions required for an organism to survive, reproduce and maintain a viable population.

Intraspecific competition

This occurs when individuals of the same species compete with one another for resources such as food, water, breeding sites, etc.

Interspecific competition

This occurs when individuals of different species compete for resources such as food, light, water, etc.

Give 5 factors that affect birth rates.

• economic conditions
• cultural and religious backgrounds
• social pressures and conditions
• birth control
• political factors

Give 7 factors that affect death rates.

• age profile
• life expectancy at birth
• food supply
• safe drinking water and effective sanitation
• medical care
• natural disasters
• war

Producers

Photosynthetic organisms that manufacture organic substances using light energy, water and carbon dioxide.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain their energy by feeding on other organisms rather than using the energy of sunlight directly.