Ecology 4.1 Definitions Flashcards
Biotic
The living components of an ecosystem
Ecosystem
Interactions of a community and its abiotic factors
Community
Populations of different species living together and interacting with one another
Abiotic
The non-living environment (ex. C, H, O, P, N, Su, Si, Sunlight, etc.)
Species
Groups of organisms that can interbreed to produce viable offspring
Population
A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time
Mesocosm
An experimental ecosystem, used to perform ecological experiments.
Autotrophs
Organisms that can make their own carbon compounds
Heterotrophs
Organisms that must obtain their carbon compounds from ingesting other organisms
Mixotrophic
Organisms that can either obtain carbon compounds by making their own or from other organisms
Detritivores
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients by internally digesting dead organic matter
Saprotrophs
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients by externally digesting dead organic matter
Consumers
Heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by ingesting other living things
Photosynthesis
The process of converting carbon dioxide, water, and light in glucose and oxygen
Cellular Respiration
Process in which organisms synthesize (make) ATP
Producer
“Autotrophs capable of producing complex organic compounds from simple inorganic molecules through the process of photosynthesis or chemosynthesis” -biology-online.org
Ingestion
“The process of taking a material (eg. foodstuff) into the mouth or body” -biology-online.org
External Digestion
“Digestive juices are poured on to food outside the body and (consumed) when they have dissolved some or all of the food.” -thesciencedictionary.org
Inorganic Nutrients
Nutrients that do not contain carbon (ex. phosphorus and nitrogen)
Organic Nutrients
Carbohydrates, fats, proteins (& amino acids), vitamins
-Wikipedia
Nutrient Cycle
“Uptake, use, release, & storage of nutrients by plants and their environments.” dictionary.com
Sustainable Ecosystem
“A biological environment and series of habitats that is able to thrive and support itself without outside influence or assistance.” -ehow
Random Sampling
“A method of selecting a sample from a statistical population in such a way that every possible sample has a predetermined possibility of being selected.” dictionary.com
The living components of an ecosystem.
Biotic
Interactions of a community and its abiotic factors.
Ecosystem
Populations of different species living together and interacting with one another
Community
The non-living environment
Abiotic (ex. C, H, O, P, N, Su, Si, Sunlight, etc.)
Groups of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time
Population
An experimental ecosystem, used to perform ecological experiments
Mesocosm
Organisms that can make their own carbon compounds
Autotrophs
Organisms that must obtain their carbon compounds from ingesting other organisms
Heterotrophs
Organisms that can either obtain carbon compounds by making their own or from other organisms
Mixotrophic
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients by internally digesting dead organic matter.
Detritivores
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients by externally digesting dead organic matter.
Saprotrophs
Heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients by ingesting other living things.
Consumers
The process of converting carbon dioxide, water, and light into glucose and oxygen
Photosynthesis
Process in which organisms synthesize ATP
Cellular Respiration
