Vocabulary 1
ecologist
A scientist who studies ecosystems
A diagram that shows what eats what in an ecosystem
food web
ecosystem
A group of organisms together with its environment
What do the arrow directions represent in a food web?
the flow of energy and matter in an ecosystem
(Remember: The tail of the arrow starts at the organism that is being eaten, and the head points to the one doing the eating.)
Where can all ENERGY in an ecosystem be traced back to?
sun
environment
All the living and nonliving things in an area
organism
A living thing, such as a plant or animal
A mixture of rocks, water, air, parts of dead organisms, and tiny living organisms
soil
How do organisms grow and move?
Animals, plants and decomposers grow by changing food molecules into body molecules that can build their bodies.
Some of the food molecules are used to release energy for movement and growth.
Where can all FOOD (MATTER) in an ecosystem be traced back to?
plants
Why? Plants use and store energy from the sun, and all other life forms eat plants or other animals that eat plants.
An organism that breaks down droppings or dead organisms
decomposer
energy
The ability to make things move or change
Organisms that make their own food by using energy from the sun and by taking in air and water
producer
What do plants need to survive?
sun, air (carbon dioxide), and water
Do plants need soil to survive?
No, the nutrients in the soil might help them thrive, however plants only need sun, air, and water to produce their own food to survive.
Something taken in by plants and animals that helps them grow
nutrients
Organisms that must consume, or eat, other organisms as food
consumer
food web
A diagram that shows what eats what in an ecosystem
Why are decomposers so important to an ecosystem?
They add nutrients to the soil by decomposing, or breaking down, dead organisms and droppings.
What happens to soil if decomposers do not have enough dead material to break down?
The soil does not have enough nutrients because there is no longer enough matter for the decomposers to break down.
The process of returning something back to its original condition by fixing or repairing it
restoration
decomposer
An organism that breaks down droppings or dead organisms
producer
Organisms that make their own food by using energy from the sun and by taking in air and water
What impact does increasing or decreasing an organism's population have on an ecosystem?
There can be an increase or decrease in other organisms' populations and the amount of food available to them.
How does matter cycle through an ecosystem?
Matter cycles between the air and soil and among plants, animals, and microbes as these organisms live and die.