Test Review Notes #7 Ecosystems

The Environment Changes in the environment are called stimuli. An organisms reaction to this is called a response. Ex Bright light causes pupils to get smaller Changing to help an organism survive, is called an adaptation.

Behavioral Adaptations This is a modification to an organisms behavior because of a change. Migration – moving from one environment to another Hibernation – sleeping for most of the winter Dormant – becoming completely inactive in the winter.

Physical Adaptations A modification to an organism’s physical being to allow them to survive in their habitat. Ex. Fish have gills to take oxygen from water. Cactus have long roots to reach down deep to get water.

Extinction When a species can not adapt to major change it becomes extinct. 65 million years ago 70% of all species were eliminated. Causes are predator, natural disasters and humans. Ex. Dodos

Communities and Ecosystems Members of a species make up a population. All populations make up a community. Living and non living things together make up an ecosystem.

Producers and Consumers Herbivores eat plants Carnivores eat animals and get nutrients indirectly from plants. All nutrients come from sun Plants are producers. Animals are consumers. Decomposers breakdown dead organisms and return the nutrients to the soil.

Food Chains

Symbiosis Organisms live near or within each other. Maybe helpful, harmful, or make no difference. Ex’s. Flea and Dog: Orchid and Tree: Termite and Bacteria