simple terms
Define ecosystem
An ecosystem is all the living organisms in a given area as well as the abiotic factors with which they interact.
What is the ultimate source of energy in every ecosystem>
The sun
What term is used to describe organisms tht obtain thier energy be eaten plants.
Herbivoires
What kind of living things are autotrphs?
Green Plants and algae
In terrestrial ecosystems, what three factors determine the productivity of energy.
sunlight, temperature, rainfall
What term is used to describe organisms that are not capable of making their own food?
Heterotrophs
Of all the sun's energy that reaches the Earth, what percent is actually utilized by the living organisms on EArth?
Less than one percent
What term is used to descrie organisms that obtain their energy by eating only other animals?
Carnivores
List three reasons why photosynthesis is important to life on Earth?
It provies foo in the form of sugars and starches for many organisms on Earth,
It removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
It releases oxygen into the atmosphere.
In the aquatic ecosystem what two factors determine the productivity of energy.
sunlight and nutrients
What term is used to describe organism that are capable of making their own food?
Autotrophs
What two processes are used by autotrophs as the manufacture organic molecules (sugar) from inorganic compounds?
Photosynthesis and Chemosynthesis
What term is used to describe organisms tht obtain their energy by eating both plants and animale?
Omnivores
Describe the importance of decomposition in an ecosystem.
The breaking down of organic waste material from dead material is critical to returning the elements to the ground so it is available for use in other organisms. The decomposers are the nutrient recyclers.
What is the term used for the diagram showing the relative amounts of energy contained within each level of a food chain or food web?
Energy Pyramid
What is another name for autotrophs?
Producers
Name the organisms that are capable of using the sun's energy to make energy.
Green plants (Autotrophs)
What term is used to descrie organisms that obtain their energy y feeding on plant and animal remains, wastes, and other forms of decay matter,
Detritivores
A linear series of steps in which organisms transfer energy from ome organism to another is called what?
Food chain
What does the energy pyramid show what happens to the energy level above the one below it?
Energy decreases at each level
What is another name for heterotrophs?
Consumers
In what process do some organisms use the energy from the sun to convert water and carbon dioxide into molecules of glucose?
Photosynthesis
What term is used to descriel organisma that cause decay by breaking down ccomplex organic compounds into simple substances that can be the nutrients to be used by new plants?
Decomposers
What term is used to describe a complex web of interactions among the organisma in an ecosystem?
Food Wed
What is illustrated in the water cycle?
The cycle that water goes through as it evaporates, condenses, and falls as precipitation.