Life on earth Flashcards
Ecosystem
A particular area, including all the living things and their non-living surroundings.
Biodiversity
The variety of life forms in a particular area. The higher the better, this makes food webs more stable.
Community
All the living things within a particular ecosystem. Made up of many different populations.
Population
All of the organisms of a single species living in a ecosystem.
Resources
All the things needed by an organism or population for it to survive. Examples might include water, food, nest building sites ect
Parasitism
A relationship between two organisms where one benefits or lives off the other-with a certain amount of disadvantages to the host.
Competition
When two organisms or species need the same limited resource.
Species
Organisms of a particular type, that can interbreed to produce young which are fertile.
Interspecific competition
The interaction of individuals of different species for one or a few of the resources they require.
Intraspecific competition
The interaction between organisms of the same species when both require the same limited resources.
Food web
A diagram showing interconnected food chains
Niche
The role that an organism plays within a community.
Producers
Organisms which make food for all the organisms in the ecosystem, are always at the start of the food chains/webs. Usually a plant that photosynthesis.
Food chain
A diagram showing a series of organisms each dependant kn the previous as a food source- the arrow shows the direction of energy transfer.
Carnivore
An animal that eats only animal material.
Predator
An interaction between two organisms in which one animal hunts, kills and eats the other animal.
Herbivore
An animal that eats only plant material.
Omnivore
An animal that eats bath plant and animal material.
Habitat
The places where organism live
Organism
Any individual living thing
