Biology Ecology and Evolution Flashcards

What is a food chain?

Answer: A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

A food chain illustrates the linear pathway of energy flow through an ecosystem, showing how organisms transfer energy by consuming and being consumed. It begins with producers (like plants) and moves through various consumers (herbivores, carnivores), demonstrating the trophic levels and the interconnectedness of species in an ecosystem.

What term describes a species’ role in its environment?

Answer: Niche

A species' niche encompasses its entire role and position within an ecosystem, including its interactions with other species, its resource requirements, and its impact on the environment. It describes not just where a species lives (its habitat), but also what it does, how it obtains food, and how it contributes to the ecosystem's balance.

Which process drives evolution by favoring individuals with advantageous traits?

Answer: Natural Selection

Natural selection is the primary mechanism of evolution, where individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on those advantageous traits. Over successive generations, this differential survival and reproduction leads to an increase in the frequency of beneficial traits within a population, driving evolutionary change.

What type of relationship exists between two species where both benefit?

Answer: Mutualism

Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both interacting species benefit from their association. This reciprocal benefit can manifest in various ways, such as enhanced nutrient acquisition, protection from predators, or improved reproductive success for both organisms involved.

What is the primary driver of biodiversity loss today?

Answer: Habitat destruction

Habitat destruction is widely recognized as the leading cause of biodiversity loss globally. When natural habitats are converted for human uses like agriculture, urbanization, or resource extraction, species lose their homes, food sources, and breeding grounds, leading to population declines, fragmentation, and ultimately, extinctions.