Ch. 5 Key Terms Flashcards

1
Q

photosynthesis

A

the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce carbohydrates and oxygen

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2
Q

producer

A

an organism that can make organic molecules from inorganic molecules; a photosynthetic or chemosynthetic autotroph that serves as the basic food source in an ecosystem

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3
Q

consumer

A

an organism that eats other organisms or organic matter instead of producing its own nutrients or obtaining nutrients from inorganic sources

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4
Q

decomposer

A

an organism that feeds by breaking down organic matter from dead organisms; examples include bacteria and fungi

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5
Q

cellular respiration

A

the process by which cells produce energy from carbohydrates; atmospheric oxygen combines with glucose to from water and carbon dioxide

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6
Q

food chain

A

the pathway of energy transfer through various stages as a result of the feeding patterns of a series of organisms

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7
Q

food web

A

a diagram that shows the feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem

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8
Q

trophic level

A

one of the steps in a food chain or food pyramid; examples include producers and primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers

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9
Q

carbon cycle

A

the movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into the living things and back

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10
Q

nitrogen-fixing bacteria

A

bacteria the convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia

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11
Q

nitrogen cycle

A

the process in which nitrogen circulates among the air soil, water, plants, and animals in an ecosystem

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12
Q

phosphorus cycle

A

the cyclic movement of phosphorus in different chemicals forms from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment

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13
Q

ecologic succession

A

a gradual process of change and replacement in a community

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14
Q

primary succession

A

succession that begins in an area that previously did not support life

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15
Q

secondary succession

A

the process by which one community replaces another community that has been partially or totally destroyed

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16
Q

pioneer species

A

a species that colonizes an uninhabited area and that starts an ecological cycle in which many other species established

17
Q

climax community

A

a final, stable community in equilibrium with the environment