Chapter #1: Biosphere as a closed system Flashcards
Dynamic Equilibrium
Describes any system with constant change in which the components can adjust to the changes without disturbing the entire ecosystem
Biosphere
The narrow zone around earth that harbours life
Biotic
A living component of the biosphere
Abiotic
A non-living component of the biosphere
Population
A group of individuals of the same species occupying a given area at a certain time
Community
The population of all species that occupy a habitat
Ecosystem
A community and its physical and chemical environment
Biodiversity
The number of species in an ecosystem
Food Chain
A sequence linking organisms that feed on each other, starting with a food source and continuing in order with each consumer
Producer
An autotroph; an organism that makes its own food
Consumer
A heterotroph; an organism that must eat producers or other consumers to survive
Indicator Species
A species sensitive to small changes in environment conditions
Herbivore
An animal only eats plants
Carnivore
An animal that feeds only on other animals
Omnivore
An animal that eats both plants and other animals
Detritus
Waste from plants and animals; including their dead remains
Decomposers
An organism that feeds on detritus
Ultraviolet Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation from the sun that can cause burning of the skin and cellular mutations
Ozone
O3, an inorganic molecule. A layer of ozone found in the stratosphere helps to screen out ultraviolet radiation
