Chapter 20

Question 1

Define an ecosystem

Answer 1

A community of living organisms and their abiotic (non-living) environment.

Question 2

Define a food chain?

Answer 2

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another

Question 3

Define a food web?

Answer 3

A concept that accounts for the multiple trophic (feeding) interactions between each species it may feed on, or that feed on it.

Question 4

What are producers in the food chain?

Answer 4

Organisms in the food chain that are usually photosynthetic

Question 5

What is a grazing food web?

Answer 5

Has plants or other photosynthetic organisms at its base, followed by herbivores and various carnivores

Question 6

What is a detrital food web?

Answer 6

Consists of a base of organisms that feed on decaying organic matter, including decomposers and detritivores (consume organic detritus).

Question 7

What are the three different ecosystems?

Answer 7

Freshwater, Marine, and Terrestrial.