Interactions and Ecosystem Key Terms Flashcards
Ecology
Ecology is the study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment
Ecologist
An ecologist is a scientist who studies relationships between living organisms and their environment
Habitat
Habitat is the location where an organism lives
Adaptation
An inherited characteristic that helps an organism survive
Adapted
Become adjusted to new conditions
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is the interaction between the biotic and abiotic parts of the environment
Symbiosis
It is an interaction between organisms of different species living in close proximity to each other in a relationship that lasts over time
Mutualism
A relationship between two organisms in which each species benefits from the relationship
Parasitism
A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and one is harmed
Commensalism
One benefits the other. Neither is helped nor harmed
Parasite
An organism that lives in or on an organism and benefits off of it
Host
an animal or plant on or in which a parasite lives
Natural Resources
Resources found in nature
Need
Something that that you need to survive
Want
Not required for survival
Sustainability
The ability to be maintained at a certain rate
Reduce
Decrease the amount of garbage and waste
Reuse
To use something multiple times
Recycle
Turn stuff into something else
Ecological Footprint
The impact of a person or community on the environment
Biotic
Living
Abiotic
Not living
Niche
A position or role taken by a kind of organism within its community
Prey
An animal that is hunted and killed
Producers
Produce food for them self and others
Consumers
Eats producers and even others consumers
Herbivores
Plant eaters
Carnivores
Meat eaters
Omnivores
Plant and meat eaters
Scavengers
Feeds on dead plant/animal matter
Predators
An animal that naturally preys on others
Food Chain
A model that shows how energy is stored
Food Web
A system of interlocking and interdependent food chains
