Ecology: part 2 (vocab terms)

Question 1

An organism that makes its own food, usually through photosynthesis.

Grass is a (blank) because it uses sunlight to create food.

Answer 1

Producer

Question 2

An organism that eats other organisms for food.

Lions are (blanks) because they eat other animals for food.

Answer 2

Consumer

Question 3

An organism that breaks down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil.

Fungi are decomposers that help break down dead trees and leaves.

Answer 3

Decomposer

Question 4

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

In a (blank), a rabbit eats grass, and a fox eats the rabbit.

Answer 4

Food chain

Question 5

A network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Answer 5

Food web

Question 6

A diagram that shows the flow of energy in an ecosystem, from producers to top consumers

In the (blank), producers are at the base, and top predators are at the top.

Answer 6

Energy pyramid

Question 7

The variety of different species in an ecosystem.

Answer 7

Biodiversity

Question 8

A close relationship between two different species that live together.

Answer 8

Symbiosis

Question 9

A trait or behavior that helps an organism survive in its environment.

Answer 9

Adaptation

Question 10

When organisms or species compete for the same resources, like food or space.

Answer 10

Competition