Chapter 5 Key Terms

Question 1

photosynthesis

Answer 1

the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.

Question 2

Producer

Answer 2

an organism that produces. (makes) its own food

Question 3

Consumer

Answer 3

an animal that cannot produce its. own food and must eat plants or. other animals for energy.

Question 4

decomposer

Answer 4

An organism, often a bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter, making organic nutrients available to the ecosystem.

Question 5

Cellular Respiration

Answer 5

a set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert chemical energy from oxygen molecules or nutrients into adenosine triphosphate, and then release waste products

Question 6

food chain

Answer 6

a hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food

Question 7

food web

Answer 7

a system of interlocking and interdependent food chains.

Question 8

trophic level

Answer 8

each of several hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising organisms that share the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary sources of energy

Question 9

carbon cycle

Answer 9

nature’s way of reusing carbon atoms, which travel from the atmosphere into organisms in the Earth and then back into the atmosphere over and over again

Question 10

nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Answer 10

microorganisms capable of transforming atmospheric nitrogen into fixed nitrogen

Question 11

nitrogen cycle

Answer 11

the series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition

Question 12

Phosphorus cycle

Answer 12

the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Low concentration of phosphorus in soils reduces plant growth and slows soil microbial growth - as shown in studies of soil microbial biomass.

Question 13

Ecological succession

Answer 13

the process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time

Question 14

Primary Succession

Answer 14

type of ecological succession in which plants and animals first colonize a barren, lifeless habitat

Question 15

Secondary Succession

Answer 15

type of ecological succession in which plants and animals recolonize a habitat after a major disturbance

Question 16

Pioneer species

Answer 16

The pioneer species are hardy species which are the first to colonize barren environments or previously biodiverse steady-state ecosystems that have been disrupted, such as by fire

Question 17

Climax Community

Answer 17

An ecological community in which populations of plants or animals remain stable and exist in balance with each other and their environment