Explain the relationship between carrying capacity and limiting factors

Describe the two types of competition

Distinguish between mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Give an example of co-evolution.

Organisms interact with the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment that can control the size of the population

Limiting Factors: a resource that is so scarce that it limits the size of a population

Ex: food, water, living space…

Carrying Capacity: the largest population an environment can support; limiting factors control population size

There are 4 main ways that species and individuals affect each other:› COMPETITION

› PREDATORS & PREY

› SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS

› CO-EVOLUTION

When 2 or more individuals or populations try to use the same resource, such as food, water, shelter, space, or sunlight

Competition within a population› Ex: Elk population in Yellowstone – herbivores

competing for plants Competition between populations

› Ex: different species of trees competing for sunlight

Predator adaptations› Ex: Cheetah running fast

Prey adaptations› Ex: Fire Salamander sprays poison› warning colorations› living in groups

Camouflage› Animals mimic twigs, leaves, stones to

blend in with their surroundings Defensive chemicals

› Ex: spines of a porcupine; skunk spray› Ex: hooded pitohui has deadly toxins

Warning coloration› Common warning signs are bright color

shades of red, white, yellow, orange, black

A relationship in which 2 different organisms live in close association with each other

Classified into 3 groups:› MUTUALISM› COMMENSALISM› PARASITISM

Relationship where both organisms benefit

Ex: E. coli bacteria in your gut

Ex: coral and algae

One organism benefits, the other is unaffected

Ex: sharks and remora

One organism benefits while the other is harmed

Parasite (benefits); host (harmed)

Ex: ticks, tapeworms, tomato hornworm

Relationships between organisms change over time

A long-term change that takes place in 2 species because of their close interactions with one another

Ex: ant and acacia tree

Flowers have changed over millions of years to attract pollinators

Flowers and their pollinators have interacted so closely they have co-evolved

Ex: hummingbirds, bats, bees

Explain the difference between mutualism and co-evolution.

Can a predator ever be the prey for another species?