chapter 4 - ecosystems Flashcards
autotroph
organisms that can capture energy from non living sources and convert it into forms living cells can use
heterotroph
organisms that rely on other organisms for enrgy and nutrients
consumer
organisms that rely on other organisms for enrgy and nutrients
primary producers
first producers of energy - rich compounds that can be used later by other organisms
photosynthesis
the process of harnessing solar energy and using it to convert other materials
chemosynthesis
the process in which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates
herbivore
a living thing that feeds on only plants
scavenger
Scavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators.
carnivore
a living thing that eats only meat
omnivore
a living thing that consumes both plants and meat
detritivore
an animal which feeds on dead organic material, especially plant detritus. like worms
decomposer
an organism, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material.
food chain
series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
food web
network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem
phytoplankton
photosynthesis algae found near the ocean surface, plant like
zooplankton
living plankton that eat (heterotropha) ex. krill, shrimp
trophic level
each step in food chain or food web
ecological pyramids
illustration of the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a given food chain or food web
biomass
total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level
biogeochemical cycles
process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another
evaporation
the process of turning from liquid into vapor.
transpiration
Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves, stems and flowers. Water is necessary for plants but only a small amount of water taken up by the roots is used for growth and metabolism.
nutrients
chemical substance that an organism needs to sustain life
nitrogen fixation
process of converting nitrogen gas into bitrogen compounds that plants can absorb and use
