Unit 1 Flashcards
Contains the combined portions of the planet in which all of life exist, including land, water, and air
Biosphere
The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment, or surroundings
Ecology
A group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and reproduce fertile offspring
Species
Groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area
Populations
Assembles of different populations that live together in a defined area
Communities
A collection of all organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving, or physical, environment
Ecosystem
A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities
Biome
What are the three basic approaches that scientists use
Observing
experimenting
modeling
What is the main energy source for life on earth
Sunlight
Only plants, some algae, answer and bacteria can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to produce food. What are these organisms called? 2 names
Autotrophs, also called producers
The best-known autotrophs are those that harness solar energy through a process known as…
Photosynthesis
When organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates
Chemosynthesis
Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply.
2 names
Heterotrophs, also called consumers.
Obtain energy by eating only plants
Herbivores
Eat animals
Carnivores
Eat both plants and animals
Omnivores
Feed on plants and animal remains and other dead matter
Detritivores
A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.
Shows the one-way flow of energy in an ecosystem
Food chain
When the feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem form a network of complex interactions
Food web
Each step in a food chain or food web
Trophic level
A diagram that shows the related amount of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food chain or food web.
Shaped like a pyramid
Ecologic pyramid
How much energy is transferred from one trophic level to another
10%
Total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level
Biomass
