Key Terms Flashcards
Abiotic
Non-Living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and functioning of ecosystems.
Biotic
Any living components that affects another organism or shapes the ecosystem.
Energy Transfer
The movement of energy from one location to another.
Matter
The substance that makes up an object.
Habitat
The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
Chemical Energy
The energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, like atoms and molecules.
Food Chains
A linear network of links in a food web starting from producer organisms and ending at apex predator species, detritivores, or decomposter species.
Biomass
The total quantity or weight of organisms in a given area or volume.
Food Webs
The natural interconnection of food chains and a graphical representation of what-eats-what in an ecological community.
Population
A group of individuals belonging to the same species living in a particular place at the same time.
Energy Flow Diagram
Used to show energy and energy transformation visually and quantitatively.
Carbon Cycle
The biochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere of the Earth.
Trophic Level
A level in the food chain of an ecosystem based on feeding relationships.
Competitive Exclusion Principle
A key ecological principle that states that no two species can occupy exactly the same niche in an ecosystem.
Nitrogen Cycle
The biochemical cycle by which nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among the atmosphere, terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Food Pyramid
A graphical representation designed to show the biomass or bioproductivity at each trophic level in a given ecosystem.
Ecological Niche
The role and position a species has in its environment.
Water Cycle
Describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.
Ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Species Richness
A count of the number of different species in an ecosystem.
Relative Species Abundance
How rare/common a species is relative to other species in a defined location or community.
Simpson’s Diversity Index
Measure of diversity which takes into account the number of species present, and the relative abundance of each species.
Genetics
The genetic properties or features of an organism, characteristic, etc.
Classification
Naming and organising organisms into specific categories.
