Module 6: Animal Nutrition

This flashcard set covers essential vocabulary related to animal nutrition, including key terms and their definitions from the lecture.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins.

Atoms

The basic unit of matter, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.

Carnivore

An animal that feeds on other animals.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells break down glucose to release energy in the form of ATP.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms.

Digestion

The process of breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

Disturbances

Events that disrupt the structure of an ecosystem.

Energy

The capacity to do work or cause change in a system.

Energy Pyramid

A graphical model showing the decrease in available energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Fatty Acids + Glycerol

Building blocks of lipids (components that make up fats and oils).

Food Chain

A linear sequence of organisms through which energy and nutrients pass in an ecosystem.

Food Web

A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Herbivore

An animal that feeds exclusively on plants.

Indicator

A substance that changes color in response to chemical conditions.

Macromolecule

A very large molecule, typically formed by the bonding of smaller subunits.

Metabolism

All the chemical reactions that happen in cells to maintain life.

Mitochondria

Membrane-bound organelles found in most eukaryotic cells, often referred to as the 'powerhouses' of the cell.

Molecule

A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest unit of a chemical compound.

Monomer

A simple molecule that can bond with other similar molecules to form a polymer.

Niche

Describes the role an organism plays in a community, including physical and environmental conditions and interactions.

Nitrogen (N2)-Fixing Bacteria

Microorganisms that convert nitrogen into forms that plants can readily use.

Nitrogen Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle by which nitrogen is converted into various chemical forms.

Nucleotide

The basic structural unit of DNA and RNA.

Omnivore

An animal that eats both plants and animals.

Photosynthesis

The process by which organisms use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen.

Polymer

A large molecule made up of many repeating subunits.

Primary Consumer

An organism that feeds directly on producers.

Producers

Organisms that can make their own food, typically through photosynthesis.

Products

The substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Reactants

The starting materials in a chemical reaction.

Secondary Consumers

Organisms that eat primary consumers.

Simple Sugars

Basic units of carbohydrates, such as glucose or fructose.

Synthesis

The process of combining simpler elements into more complex compounds.

Tertiary Consumers

Organisms that eat secondary consumers.

Trophic Level

The position of an organism in a food chain or food web.