Chapter 23- Ecosystems Flashcards
Define ecosystem
All the interacting living organisms and non-living conditions in an area.
Define biotic factors
The living factors
Define abiotic factors
The non-living factors
Define trophic level.
Each stage in the food chain.
Define producer
An organism that converts light energy into chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis.
Define consumer
Organisms that obtain their energy by feeding on other organisms.
Define biomass
The mass of living material present in a particular place or in particular organisms.
Define ecological efficiency
The efficiency with which biomass or energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.
Define gross production
The total solar energy that plants convert to organic matter.
Define net production.
The energy available from one organism to the next trophic level.
Define decomposition
Chemical process in which a compound is broken down into smaller molecules, or its constituent elements.
Define decomposers
Organism that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter.
Define detritivores
Organisms that feed on detritus, helping to speed up the decay process.
Define nitrogen fixation
When nitrogen-fixing bacteria combine atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen to form ammonia.
Define nitrification
Conversion of ammonia into soluble nitrates, by nitrifying bacteria.
