Ecology Terms Gr.9

Question 1

Sustainability

Answer 1

The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.

Question 2

Sustainable

Answer 2

Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.

Question 3

Non-sustainable

Answer 3

Not able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.

Question 4

Ecology

Answer 4

The study of the relationships between living organisms, and their physical environment.

Question 5

Biotic

Answer 5

The living parts of a habitat.
Examples: Fish, plants, bacteria

Question 6

Abiotic

Answer 6

The non-living parts of a habitat.
Examples: pH level, oxygen levels, water

Question 7

Community

Answer 7

Interacting organisms in a habitat.

Question 8

Niche

Answer 8

The role of a species or organism within its environment.

Question 9

Organism

Answer 9

Any living thing that functions as an individual.

Question 10

Ecosystem

Answer 10

A collection of living and non-living things interacting in a specific place.

Question 11

Ecosystem Ecology

Answer 11

Who’s eating who, and how energy, nutrients, and other materials are getting shuffled around within the system.

Question 12

Biomass

Answer 12

The total weight of living things in an ecosystem.

Question 13

Sun

Answer 13

The source of most energy on Earth.

Question 14

Primary Producers

Answer 14

Organisms that use light energy from the sun and make chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Example: Trees

Question 15

Primary Consumers

Answer 15

Organisms that eat plants (herbivores.)
Example: Sheep

Question 16

Bioaccumulation

Answer 16

The gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism.

Question 17

Photosynthesis

Answer 17

The process of which green plants and other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy.

Question 18

Natural Resources

Answer 18

Materials created in nature that are used and usable by humans.
Examples: Soil, water, air

Question 19

Greenhouse Gases

Answer 19

Gases in the atmosphere that raise the surface temperature of planets such as the Earth because they are trapped.

Question 20

Fossil Fuels

Answer 20

A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

Question 21

Algae

Answer 21

A nonflowering, aquatic plant that usually grows in large groups. Algae contain chlorophyll but lack stems, roots, and leaves.

Question 22

Autotroph

Answer 22

Organisms that can produce their own food from sunlight and basic nutrients.

Question 23

Heterotroph

Answer 23

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain food from autotrophs or other heterotrophs.

Question 24

Detritivores

Answer 24

Organisms that decompose dead plant and animal matter.
Example: Worms

Question 25

Carnivores

Answer 25

An organism that eats meat.
Example: Lion

Question 26

Omnivores

Answer 26

An organism that regularly consumes a variety of food.
Examples: Plants, animals, algae, fungi

Question 27

Trophic Level

Answer 27

The position of an organism in the food chain.
Example: A rattlesnake is the top in its food chain.

Question 28

Secondary Consumers

Answer 28

Organisms that eat the herbivores