Keywords Flashcards
Ecosystem
A community of plants and animals that interact with one another and with their physical environment
Biome
A large ecosystem, whose location is dictated by climate
Abiotic factors
Features of an ecosystem that are not living and have never been alive, for example: soil, water, rocks
Photosynthesis
The process by which plants produce energy (from carbon dioxide and water) through absorbing the sun’s energy 
Producer
An organism that is able to absorb energy from the Sun through photosynthesis. producers are plants
Primary Consumer
A creature that eats the producers. These organisms are known as herbivores. For example: a caterpillar; or a cow
Secondary consumer
An animal that eats other animals. These animals are known as carnivores. For example: a bird or a fox
Decomposer
An organism that breaks down dead plant and animal matter. For example: a worm or bacteria
Food chain
A set of links between organisms, where each organism depends on the previous organism in the chain for food. For example: grass > caterpillar > blackbird > owl
Food web
A complex network of food chains
Nutrients
Substances used by an organism (plant or animal) to survive, grow and reproduce. Nutrients are found in the soil, plants and animals
Weathering
The breakdown of rock, soil and minerals due to the earths natural processes. Wind, water, temperature and biotic factors can cause weathering
Precipitation
Atmospheric water vapour that falls on the gravity. For example: snow; rain; hail 
Evaporation
The process whereby a liquid turns into gas
Condensation
The process whereby a gas turns into liquid
