Predation
Predation is a biological interaction in which one organism, called the predator, hunts, captures, kills, and eats another organism, known as the prey. This interaction is a crucial part of the food web and plays a significant role in maintaining balance and stability in ecosystems.
Key Concepts
- Predator: An organism that actively hunts and feeds on other organisms.
- Prey: An organism that is hunted and consumed by predators.
- Adaptations: Predators and prey often have physical and behavioral adaptations that help them in the predator-prey interaction.
- Impact on Ecosystems: Predation influences population sizes, distribution of species, and overall ecosystem dynamics.
Study Guide
Here are some key points to focus on while studying predation:
- Identify and understand the roles of predators and prey in a predator-prey relationship.
- Explore the various adaptations that predators and prey have developed for survival.
- Analyze the impact of predation on the population dynamics of species within an ecosystem.
- Examine real-world examples of predator-prey interactions and their ecological significance.
- Discuss the concept of coevolution and its role in shaping predator-prey relationships over time.
Understanding predation is essential for comprehending the complex interactions that occur within natural ecosystems and the delicate balance that is maintained through these interactions.
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EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
Earth’s Systems
Use evidence to explain how different geologic processes shape Earth’s history over widely varying scales of space and time (e.g., chemical and physical erosion; tectonic plate processes; volcanic eruptions; meteor impacts; regional geographical features, including Alabama fault lines, Rickwood Caverns, and Wetumpka Impact Crater).
Provide evidence from data of the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to explain past plate motions.
Use models to explain how the flow of Earth’s internal energy drives a cycling of matter between Earth’s surface and deep interior causing plate movements (e.g., mid-ocean ridges, ocean trenches, volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains, rift valleys, volcanic islands).