Ecosystems Basics
What is an ecosystem?
This is a biological community of interacting organisms in an environment.
What is ecological balance?
This describes a state of balance or equilibrium within the community of organisms in an ecosystem.
What is photosynthesis?
This process converts radiant energy from sunlight into chemical energy stored in food.
What is a producer?
This organism makes its own food and forms the beginning of a typical food chain.
What is predation?
This interaction occurs when one species consumes another species.
What are biotic factors?
These are the living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.
What are natural disruptions?
Wildfires, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions are examples of these types of ecosystem disruptions.
What is cellular respiration?
During this process, organisms use oxygen to break down food molecules and release chemical energy.
What is a herbivore?
An animal that eats only plants.
What is competition?
This occurs when two species compete for the same limited resources.
What are abiotic factors?
Sunlight, soil, air, rocks, and minerals are examples of these.
What are human/environmental disruptions?
Deforestation, overuse of motorized water vehicles, and introducing invasive species are examples of these.
Name two cycles in which matter moves between living and non-living parts of an ecosystem.
Water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles
What is a food web?
Unlike a food chain, this shows multiple feeding relationships and connections among organisms.
What is commensalism?
In this relationship, one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
What are autotrophs/producers?
These organisms produce their own food, usually using energy from the Sun.
What is an ecological footprint?
This measures how much people take from nature compared with the natural resources available.
What is the atmosphere?
Most nitrogen is found in this part of Earth's system, and bacteria help convert it into compounds that can be added to soil.
What is biomass?
This is the total mass of living organisms within an ecosystem.
What is mutualism?
In this relationship, both species benefit from the interaction.
What are decomposers/detritivores?
These organisms break down organic matter into simpler forms so nutrients can be reused.
A person's ecological footprint can be influenced by what four areas?
Energy use, water use, food, transportation and housing.
What is natter?
Unlike energy, this can be reused and continually moved through ecosystems.
What does 10% refer to?
According to the biomass pyramid, approximately this percentage of energy is retained when energy moves from one trophic level to the next.
What is parasitism?
In this relationship, one species lives in or on another organism and benefits at the other's expense.