Chapter 8 vocab

21 cards·by gr8cem

population

is all members of a species living in the same place at the same times

density

the number of individuals per unit or volume

dispersion

the relative distribution or arrangement of its individuals within a given amount of space

growth rate

a change in the size of a population over a given period of time

biotic potential

the fastest rate at which its population can grow

reproductive potential

rate is limited by the maximum number of offspring that each member of the population can produce

generation time

average time it takes a member of the population to reach the age when it reproduces

carrying capacity

the maximum population that the ecosystem can support indefinitely

limiting resource

natural resource for the area

niche

unique role of a species within an ecosystem

territory

area defended by one or more individuals against other individuals

habitat

an organisms location

competition

a relationship in which different individuals or populations attempt to use the same limited resource

niche restriction

when each species uses less of the niche then they are capable of using

predation

an organism that feeds on another organism is called a predator, that organism being fed on is called the prey

parasitism

relationship between the parasite and its host

mutualism

relationship between two species in which each species provides a benefit to the other

commensalism

relationship in which one species benefit and the other os neither harmed nor helped

symbiosis

relationship between two different organisms that live in close association with each other

camoflage

an adaptation that allows animals to blend in with certain aspects of the environment

mimicry

when an organism 'copies' another organism in order to draw in food or avoid being prey