Terms Flashcards
Predator
Captures, kills, and consumes another individiual
Prey
Individual that is eaten
Parasite
An organism that takes resources at the expense of another
Host
Organism that the parasite gets its resources from
Competition
The use of the same resource by two or more different species
Predation
One individual consumes another
Parasitism
one organism benefits at the expense of another
Mutualism
Cooperative relationship where both species obtain a benefit
Commensalism
One species benefits and other is not affected
Symbiosis
Interaction between two organisms living in the same community
Autotrophs
Capture energy to make organic molecules (food)
Producers
Capture energy to make organic molecules (food)
Heterotrophs
Obtain energy by consuming organic molecules (food) made by other organisms
Consumers
Obtain energy by consuming organic molecules (food) made by other organisms
Herbivores
Eat plants
Carnivores
Eat animals
Omnivores
Eat plants and animals
Scavengers
Eat fragments of dead matter
Decomposers
Break down dead matter
Opportunistic Species
Use the environment in a number of ways
Specialist Species
Can feed on only one type of food
Specialist Species
Can feed on only one type of food
Abiotic
Nonliving things
Biotic
Living things
Trophic level
Indicates position in sequence of energy transfer
Food chain
A single path representing energy flow
Food web
Multiple chains showing various possible energy paths
Niche
The role or position that an organism has in its environment
Habitat
An area where an organism lives
R-strategy
Have many offspring when favorable
K-strategy
Have few offspring, but care for them
Ecology
The study of the interactions between organisms and the nonliving components of their environment
Organism
An individual living thing
Population
A single group/species in an area
Community
All the living things in an area
Ecosystem
Biotic and abiotic factors in an area
Biome
Similar ecosystems around the world
Biosphere
The part of Earth that supports life
Exponential Growth
Nothing limits the population for a short time (J-shape curve)
Logistical Growth
Limiting factors slow growth long term (S-shape curve)
Density-independent factors
Factors that don’t depend on the number of members in an area
Density-dependent factors
Factors that depend on the number of members in an area
Water Cycle
All organisms require water to live
Carbon Cycle
Makes up organic compounds
Traps heat
Nitrogen Cycle
Makes up organic compounds
Makes up most of the atmosphere
Phosphorous Cycle
Makes up organic compounds
