ecology vocab 1 Flashcards
part of earth that supports life, including the top portion of the earth’s crust, the atmosphere, and all the water on earth’s surface
biosphere
in an ecosystem, refers to the unique ways an organism survives, obtains food and shelter, and avoids danger
niche
largest number of individuals of a particular species that an ecosystem can support over time
carrying capacity
a type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits while the other is harmed
parasitism
all the living organisms that live in an area and the nonliving features of the environment
ecosystem
anything that can restrict the size of a population, including living and nonliving features of the environment
limiting factor
organism, such as a green plant or alga, that uses an outside source of energy, like the sun, to create energy-rich molecules
producer
a type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits while the other is not affected
commensalism
study of interactions that take place among organisms in their environment
ecology
place where an organism lives that provides the types of food, shelter, moisture, and temperature needed for survival
habitat
any organism that cannot create energy-rich molecules but obtains food by eating other organisms
consumer
all the organisms that belong to the same species living in a community
population
any close relationship between species, including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism
symbiosis
all the populations of different species that live in an ecosystem
community
type of symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit
mutualism