Ch. 5 Key Terms Flashcards
photosynthesis
during photosynthesis, plants use light energy from the sun to make carbohydrates. the chloroplasts in the leaves and stems of these sunflowers contain a green chemical called. chlorophyll absorbs the light energy needed for photosynthesis
producer
makes its own food using light energy ( photosynthesis) or chemical sources (chemosynthesis)
consumer
gets energy by eating producers or other consumers
decomposer
breaks down organic matter from dead organisms
cellular respiration
through cellular respiration, cells use sugar and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energied
food chain
energy is transferred from one organism to another
food web
this food web shows how the largest organisms depend on the smallest organisms in an ocean ecosystem
trophic level
each step through which energy is transferred in a food chain is known as a trophic level
carbon cycle
the carbon cycle is a process by which carbon cycled between the atmosphere, land, water, and organisms
nitrogen-fixing bacteria
the swellings on the roots of this soy bean plant are called nodules. nitro
gen fixing bacteria
nitrogen cycle
a process in which nitrogen is cycled between the atmosphere, soil, and organisms
phosphorus cycle
is the movement of phosphorus from the environment
ecological succession
American beech trees are stable community species, establishing themselves in a given region
primary succession
succession can occur in areas that previously did not support life such as rock or sand dunes
secondary succession
occurs in areas where an ecosystem has previously
existed
