Ecology Exam 1 – Fundamental Concepts,
Ecosystem Levels & Scientific Method|Latest
Updates with A+ Graded Rationales
Ecology
Scientific study of relationships between organisms and their environment
Environment
All physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting an organism
Biotic factors
Living components of an ecosystem
Abiotic factors
Nonliving physical and chemical components
Ecosystem
Biotic and abiotic components functioning together as a unit
Individual
Single organism capable of responding to its environment
Population
Group of individuals of the same species in one area
Community
All populations of different species in an area
Landscape
Collection of interacting ecosystems
Biome
Large regional ecosystem defined by climate and vegetation
Biosphere
All life and ecosystems on Earth
, Pattern
Observable distribution or arrangement in nature
Process
Mechanism that causes patterns in ecology
Scientific method
Process of observation, hypothesis testing, and analysis
Observation
Repeatable description of a natural phenomenon
Hypothesis
Testable statement explaining cause and effect
Prediction
Expected outcome if hypothesis is correct
Independent variable
Variable manipulated or causing change
Dependent variable
Variable responding to the independent variable
Field study
Observational study conducted in natural conditions
Experiment
Controlled test manipulating one variable
Model
Simplified representation of a real system
Qualitative model
Conceptual or descriptive model
Quantitative model
Mathematical or statistical model
Ecosystem Levels & Scientific Method|Latest
Updates with A+ Graded Rationales
Ecology
Scientific study of relationships between organisms and their environment
Environment
All physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting an organism
Biotic factors
Living components of an ecosystem
Abiotic factors
Nonliving physical and chemical components
Ecosystem
Biotic and abiotic components functioning together as a unit
Individual
Single organism capable of responding to its environment
Population
Group of individuals of the same species in one area
Community
All populations of different species in an area
Landscape
Collection of interacting ecosystems
Biome
Large regional ecosystem defined by climate and vegetation
Biosphere
All life and ecosystems on Earth
, Pattern
Observable distribution or arrangement in nature
Process
Mechanism that causes patterns in ecology
Scientific method
Process of observation, hypothesis testing, and analysis
Observation
Repeatable description of a natural phenomenon
Hypothesis
Testable statement explaining cause and effect
Prediction
Expected outcome if hypothesis is correct
Independent variable
Variable manipulated or causing change
Dependent variable
Variable responding to the independent variable
Field study
Observational study conducted in natural conditions
Experiment
Controlled test manipulating one variable
Model
Simplified representation of a real system
Qualitative model
Conceptual or descriptive model
Quantitative model
Mathematical or statistical model
