chp. 4,5,6 vocab Flashcards
photosynthesis
a process in which plants, algae and some bacteria covert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water
producer
an organism that can make its own food through processes like photosynthesis
consumer
cannot make its own food and must eat other organisms to obtain energy
decomposer
organisms that break down dead or decaying organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem
cellular respiration
the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide and water
food chain
a sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another
food web
complex network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem
trophic level
a position in a food chain or food web representing a step in the flow of energy and nutrients
carbon cycle
big recycling system where carbon atoms move between living organisms, the atmosphere, oceans, and the earths crust
nitrogen fixing bacteria
they have the superpower to convert nitrogen gas from the air into a form that plants can use like ammonia or nitrate
phosphorus cycle
the movement of phosphorus through the environment, including rocks, soil, water, and living organisms
ecological succession
process by which ecosystems change and develop over time
primary succession
the process of ecosystem development that begins in a lifeless area with no soil, such as bare rock after a volcanic eruption
secondary succession
happens in areas where an existing community have been disturbed but soil remains, like after a forest fire or human activity
pioneer species
are the first organisms to colonize a barren or disturbed area, such as lichens and mosses on bare rock.
