Keywords - Ecosystems

Question 1

Organism

Answer 1

Living thing.

Question 2

Species

Answer 2

A group of living organisms capable of interbreeding with each other but not with members of other species.

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same place at the same time.

Question 4

Community

Answer 4

More than one population living in the same area at the same time.

Question 5

Ecosystem

Answer 5

Communities of organisms that interact with each other and the surround environment.

Question 6

Ecology

Answer 6

The study of ecosystems.

Question 7

Producer

Answer 7

Organisms at the base of the food chain that do not feed on other organisms, but rely of photosynthesis for energy. They are also called autotrophs.

Question 8

Decomposer

Answer 8

Organisms that break down decaying organic matter into inorganic matter (ie. nutrients) to be recycled in the ecosystem.

Question 9

Photosynthesis

Answer 9

When producers use carbon dioxide, water and sunlight to make chemical energy. This takes place in the chloroplast, in the cells.

Question 10

Autotroph

Answer 10

A producer.

Question 11

Heterotroph

Answer 11

A consumer.

Question 12

Consumer

Answer 12

An organism that relies on other organisms for food.

Question 13

Herbivore

Answer 13

An animal that exclusively eats plants.

Question 14

Primary consumer

Answer 14

The first consumer in a food chain, found on the second tropic level. They are also known as first-order consumers or primary consumers.

Question 15

Omnivore

Answer 15

An animal that eats both plants and animals.

Question 16

Carnivore

Answer 16

An animal that exclusively eats meat.

Question 17

Detritivore

Answer 17

An animal that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter or waste.

Question 18

Ecological niche

Answer 18

The position of species or populations in their ecosystem in relation to each other.

Question 19

Competition

Answer 19

The struggle between organisms for food, territory and other factors.

Question 20

Parasitism

Answer 20

An interaction in which one species lives on or in another, from which it obtains food, shelter and other needs.

Question 21

Mutualism

Answer 21

A relationship between two organisms in which they both benefit.

Question 22

Commensalism

Answer 22

A relationship between two species in which one benefits and the other is unaffected.

Question 23

Interspecific competition

Answer 23

Competition between organisms of the same species.

Question 24

Intraspecific competition

Answer 24

Competition between organisms of different species.

Question 25

Predator-prey relationship

Answer 25

A relationship between two species in which one kills and eats the other.

Question 26

Symbiotic relationship

Answer 26

A close relationship between two organisms of different species. It may benefit or harm one of the partners.

Question 27

Chemosynthetic

Answer 27

Organisms that produce organic matter using energy released from chemical reactions rather than light.

Question 28

Food chains/food webs

Answer 28

A diagram that shows feeding relationships and energy flow within an ecosystem.

Question 29

Tropic level

Answer 29

A level within a food chain, food web, or food pyramid.

Question 30

Secondary consumers

Answer 30

The second consumer in a food chain.

Question 31

Energy pyramid

Answer 31

A representation of the amount of food energy within each level of a food chain.

Question 32

Pyramid of numbers

Answer 32

A representation of the population of an organism at each level within a food chain.

Question 33

Pyramid of biomass

Answer 33

A representation of the dry mass of organisms at each level within a food chain.

Question 34

Birth rate

Answer 34

The number of organisms within a population that are born within a particular period of time.

Question 35

Death rate

Answer 35

The number of organisms within a population that die within a particular time.

Question 36

Immigration

Answer 36

The number of individuals that move into an area.

Question 37

Emigration

Answer 37

The number of individuals leaving an area.

Question 38

Exponential growth

Answer 38

A rapid increase in number or size, represented by a j-shaped graph.

Question 39

Sigmoid

Answer 39

The shape of a graph that shows a population increasing in number and then reaching a plateau.

Question 40

Equilibrium

Answer 40

When the birth rate and the death rate cancel each other out, and there is zero population growth.

Question 41

Carrying capacity

Answer 41

The maximin population size that a particular environment can sustain.

Question 42

Eutrophication

Answer 42

A form of water pollution involving an excess of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphorus, resulting in algal blooms and possible death of fish and other organisms.

Question 43

Insecticide

Answer 43

Chemicals used to kill pests that compete with humans for crops.

Question 44

Fungicide

Answer 44

Chemical used to kill fungal growth.

Question 45

Herbicide

Answer 45

Chemical used to kill plants that compete with crops for nutrients, water and sunlight.

Question 46

Fumigant

Answer 46

A chemical in the form of a gas, which is used to kill pests.

Question 47

Bioaccumulation/magnification

Answer 47

Magnification of concentrations of non-biodegradable substances (eg, pesticides such as DDT) as it is passed along the food chain.

Question 48

Introduced species

Answer 48

An organism that has been released into an ecosystem where it does not occur naturally.