part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere
Biosphere
100
group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring
Species
100
A heterotroph that obtains energy by eating only plants...
Herbiovore
100
Photosynthetic algae found near the surface of the ocean
Phytoplankton
100
Process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb and use
Nitrogen Fixation
200
a scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment
Ecology
200
all the organisms that live in a place, together with their nonliving environment
Ecosystem
200
Heterotroph that eats animals
Carnivore
200
Small free floating animals that form part of plankton
Zooplankton
200
Single essential nutrient that limits productivity in an ecosystem
Limiting Nutrient
300
Process in which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates
Chemosynthesis
300
assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area
Community
300
Heterotroph that eats both plants and animals
Omnivore
300
total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level
Biomass
300
process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas
Denitrification
400
Captures light energy and use it to power chemical reactions that convert CO2 and water into oxygen and sugar
Photosynthesis
400
group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area
Population
400
Heterotroph that feeds on detritus
Detritivore
400
Network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem
Food Web
400
Series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
Food Chain
500
process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another
Biogeochemical Cycle
500
a group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms
Biome
500
Heterotroph that breaks down organisms
Decomposer
500
Each step in a food chain or food web
Trophic level
500
First producer of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms