Ecosystems Test 7 Science Flashcards
What is an independent variable?
The independent variable is the variable you investigate (the variable that changes)
What is the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the variable you measure (it depends on the independent variable)
What is the controlled variable?
The controlled variable is the variable that stays the same
What is an ecosystem?
A geographic area where plants, animals and other organisms, as well as weather and landscapes interact
What is a detrivore?
An organism that eats dead matter
What is a decomposer?
An organism that breaks down dead matter and returns the nutrients to the environment
What is a herbivore?
An organism that only consumes plants
What is a carnivore?
An organism that only consumes animals
What is a omnivore?
An organism that consumes both animals and plants
What is a primary consumer?
The first organism in the food chain that consumes other organisms (must be a herbivore)
What is a producer?
The organism at the start of the food chain that gets its energy from photosynthesis
What is a food web?
Multiple food chains interconnected
What is a secondary consumer?
The second organism in the food chain that consumes other organisms (must be omnivore or carnivore)
What is a tertiary consumer?
The third organism in the food chain that consumes other organisms (must be omnivore or carnivore)
What is an apex predator?
The organism in the food chain that is not preyed on by any other organisms, also known as top predator (usually carnivore)
