Energy Flow In Ecosystems

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

The study of living things and their interactions with each other and the environment

Question 2

Ecosystem

Answer 2

A self supporting system of organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment

Question 3

Habitat

Answer 3

Place within an ecosystem where specific organisms live

Question 4

Population

Answer 4

All of the organisms of a particular species found in an ecosystem

Question 4

Competition

Answer 4

The struggle for resources

Question 5

Community

Answer 5

All the different species living in an ecosystem

Question 6

Abiotic factors or physical environment

Answer 6

All the non-biological components in the ecosystem eg water, air, temperature, sunlight

Question 8

Producer (autotrophic)

Answer 8

The organisms in an ecosystem that can make their own food through photosynthesis

Question 9

Primary consumer

Answer 9

Organism in an ecosystem that obtains energy by feeding on producers (a herbivore)

Question 9

Herbivore

Answer 9

Animal that feeds on plants

Question 10

Secondary consumer

Answer 10

Organisms in an ecosystem that obtains energy by feeding on a primary consumer (a carnivore)

Question 11

Carnivore

Answer 11

Animal that feeds on other animals

Question 12

Prey

Answer 12

Animal hunted and killed by another for food

Question 13

Predator

Answer 13

Animal that preys on other animals

Question 14

Detrivore

Answer 14

Organism which feeds on a decaying material eg a worm

Question 15

Decomposer

Answer 15

Organism that decomposes an organic material (eg a micro-organism)

Question 17

Food chain

Answer 17

Shows the simple feeding relationships within an ecosystem

Question 17

Tropic level

Answer 17

Stage in a food chain

Question 18

Food web

Answer 18

Shows the complex feeding relationships within and ecosystem

Question 20

Pyramid of numbers

Answer 20

Represents the number on organisms in each tropic level in a food chain, irrespective of their mass

Question 21

Pyramid of biomass

Answer 21

Represents the total mass of the organisms in each tropic level, irrespective of their number

Question 21

Animal that has no natural predators

Answer 21

Top carnivore

Question 22

Quadrat

Answer 22

A square frame with a measured grid of wire within it used for systematic sampling of organisms

Question 23

Feeding

Answer 23

Any organism except for producers, have to feed on other organisms in order to obtain energy for respiration

Question 24

Pyramid of energy transfer

Answer 24

Shows the energy transferred through each tropic level in a food chain