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5.2.3Unit 5: Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology

Ecology: Key Terms — IAL Edexcel Linear Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 5 parts Lesson 18 of 36 Unit quiz

📚 IAL Edexcel Linear Hub / Topical Revision
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Curriculum Equation Key معادلة التنفس الخلوي الهوائي الموزونة - Balanced Cellular Respiration EquationFast Exam Solution
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ ➔ 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + 36-38 ATP
Word Equation & Conditions: Glucose + Oxygen -> Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy (36-38 ATP) | جلوكوز + أكسجين ← ثاني أكسيد كربون + ماء + طاقة
Location & Specifications: الميتوكوندريا (Mitochondria) والسيتوسول.
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Part 1 of 5Levels of Organisation

Ecology is studied at several scales, from individuals up to the whole ecosystem.

1
A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
2
A population is all the individuals of one species living in a habitat at the same time.
3
A community is all the populations of different species living in one habitat.
4
An ecosystem is the community together with the abiotic factors, such as light, temperature and water, in the same area.
5
Large ecosystems with a similar climate, such as tundra or rainforest, are called biomes.

Part 2 of 5Factors

Habitat
  • Habitat The place where an organism lives, such as a pond or woodland floor.
Biotic factor
  • Biotic factor A living factor such as predation, competition or disease.
Abiotic factor
  • Abiotic factor A non-living factor such as temperature, pH, light or salinity.
Niche
  • Niche The role of a species within its ecosystem, including what it eats and where it lives.
Interaction
  • Interaction Biotic and abiotic factors affect each other, for example plants altering soil moisture.

Part 3 of 5Feeding Roles

Feeding Roles
Producer
  • Producer An autotroph that makes organic molecules by photosynthesis.
Consumer
  • Consumer A heterotroph that gets energy by eating other organisms.
Decomposer
  • Decomposer Feeds on dead organisms and waste and releases nutrients.
Trophic level
  • Trophic level A feeding position in a food chain, such as primary consumer.

Part 4 of 5Describing Populations

Abundance
  • Abundance The number of individuals of a species in a habitat.
Distribution
  • Distribution Where in the habitat the species is found.
Carrying capacity
  • Carrying capacity The maximum population size that the environment can support indefinitely.
Biodiversity
  • Biodiversity The variety of living organisms in an area.
TermExample
PopulationAll the frogs in a pond
CommunityAll the species in the pond
EcosystemThe pond and its light, water and sediments

Part 5 of 5Exam Checklist & Tips

5.2.3 – Key Points for the Exam

  • Ecosystem A community of organisms together with their non-living environment.
  • Habitat The place where an organism lives.
  • Population All the members of one species in a habitat.
  • Community All the populations of different species in a habitat.
  • Niche The role of an organism in its ecosystem.

Common Mistakes

  • Using habitat and niche as if they mean the same thing; habitat is where, niche is the role.
  • Describing a population as including several species.
  • Calling an ecosystem only the living organisms and leaving out abiotic factors.
  • Mixing up abundance, how many, with distribution, where.

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