Microbiology definitions

Ecology

Study of organisms and their environment

Population

All the members of one species in an area that can breed with eachother

Habitat

The location where an organism lives

Ecosystem

A characteristic community of interdependent species interacting with the abiotic components of their habitst

Biotic

The living components of an ecosystem - the organisms, food, pathogens, predators

Abiotic

Non-living factors in an ecosystem - pH, temperature, water availability

Carrying capacity

The maximum size of a population that can be sustained by an ecosystem

Community

All of the populations of different species living together in a habitat

Niche

All organisms role in the environment (normally a feeding role)

Fugitive species