Relationships in Ecology study guide

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow through different trophic levels.

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What is a niche in ecology?

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A niche is the role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.

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What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

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A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass, while a food web is a more complex network of interconnected food chains.

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What is competition in ecology?

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Competition occurs when two or more organisms of the same or different species vie for the same resources (like food, space, or mates) in an ecosystem.

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What is commensalism?

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Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

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What is mutualism?

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Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

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What is parasitism?

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Parasitism is a relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (the host), often harming it.

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What is a trophic level?

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A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is a pyramid of numbers?

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A pyramid of numbers is a graphical representation showing the number of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

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What is biomass?

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Biomass refers to the total mass of living matter within a given area or volume, often used to measure the energy available at each trophic level.