Food levels Flashcards
autotroph
organism that is able to capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its own food from inorganic compounds; also called a producer
primary producer
first producer of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms
photosynthesis
process used by plants and other autotrophs to capture light energy and use it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches
chemosynthesis
process in which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates
heterotroph
organism that obtains food by consuming other living things; also called a consumer
consumer
organism that relies on other organisms for its energy and food supply; also called a heterotroph
detritus
material made up of decaying bits of plant and animal material
food chain
a series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
phytoplankton
photosynthetic algae found near the surface of the ocean
food web
network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem
trophic level
each step in a food chain or food web
ecological pyramid
illustration of the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a given food chain or food web
biomass
total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level
biogeochemical cycle
process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another
nutrient
chemical substance that an organism needs to sustain life
