Living world definitions Flashcards
Orbital changes
Changes in the pathway of the earth around the sun
Quaternary period
The period of geological time from about w.y million years ago to the present. Development of humans
Abiotic
Non living thing
Biotic
A living thing
Consumer
Creature that eats animals or plants
Decomposer
An organism that breaks down dead tissue, which is then recycled to the environment
Ecosystem
A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment
Food chain
The connections between different organisms that rely on one another as their source of food
Food web
A complex hierarchy of plants and animals relying on each other for food
Nutrient cycling
A set of processes whereby organisms extract minerals necessary for growth from soil or water, before passing them on through the food chain - and ultimately back to the soil and water
Producer
An organism or plant that is able to absorb energy from the sub through the process of photosynthesis
Biodiversity
The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat
Commercial farming
Farming to sell produce for a profit to retailers or food processing companies
Deforestation
The chopping down and removal of trees to clear an area of forest
Logging
The business of cutting down trees and transporting the logs to sawmills
Mineral extraction
The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth examples = ores metals
Soil erosion
Soil erosion removal of topsoil faster than it can be replaced. Due to natural (wind rain) or human activity
Subsistence farming
A type of agriculture producing food and materials for the benefit only of the farmer and his family
