5th Science: Chapter 2 Vocabulary

Question 1

ecosystem

Answer 1

All the living and nonliving things in an environment, including their interactions with each other. (2-1)

Question 2

population

Answer 2

All the members of one species in an area. (2-1)

Question 3

community

Answer 3

All the living things in an ecosystem. (2-1)

Question 4

food chain

Answer 4

The path that energy and nutrients follow in an ecosystem. (2-1)

Question 5

food web

Answer 5

A network of food chains that have some links in common.(2-1)

Question 6

predator

Answer 6

An animal that hunts other animals for food. (2-1)

Question 7

prey

Answer 7

Organisms that are hunted and eaten by other animals. (2-1)

Question 8

energy pyramid

Answer 8

A diagram showing the amount of energy available at each level of an ecosystem. (2-1)

Question 9

adaptation

Answer 9

Any characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment. (2-2)

Question 10

camouflage

Answer 10

Any coloring, shape, or pattern that allows an organism to blend in with its environment. (2-2)

Question 11

protective coloration

Answer 11

A type of camouflage in which the color of an animal helps it blend in with its background. (2-2)

Question 12

protective resemblance

Answer 12

When an organism matches the color, shape, or texture of its environment. (2-2)

Question 13

mimicry

Answer 13

An adaptation in which an animal is protected against predators by its resemblance to an unpleasant animal. (2-2)

Question 14

extinct species

Answer 14

A species whose last living member has died. (2-3)

Question 15

endangered species

Answer 15

When a species is in danger of becoming extinct. (2-3)

Question 16

threatened species

Answer 16

Species with low numbers that could become endangered. (2-3)

Question 17

succession

Answer 17

The process of one ecosystem changing into another new and different ecosystem. (2-3)

Question 18

secondary succession

Answer 18

The beginning of a new community where a community had already existed. (2-3)

Question 19

primary succession

Answer 19

Occurs in a community where few, if any, living things exist, or where earlier communities were wiped out. (2-3)

Question 20

pioneer species

Answer 20

The first living species in an otherwise lifeless area. (2-3)

Question 21

pioneer community

Answer 21

The first living community in an otherwise lifeless area. (2-3)

Question 22

climax community

Answer 22

The final stage of succession. (2-3)

Question 23

deciduous forest

Answer 23

Made up of hardwood trees that lose their leaves every autumn. (2-4)

Question 24

barrier island

Answer 24

A long, narrow deposit of sand that forms parallel to the ocean. (2-4)

Question 25

wetland

Answer 25

Ecosystem that holds water for most of the year. (2-4)

Question 26

watershed

Answer 26

A region that contributes water to a river or river system. (2-4)

Question 27

estuary

Answer 27

A coastal body of water where fresh water from a river mixes with salt water from the ocean. (2-4)

Question 28

benthos

Answer 28

Bottom-dwelling scavengers or decomposers that live in water. (2-4)