Ecology Vocab Quiz Study Guide

Biosphere

Anywhere in, on, or around the Earth where life exists

Species

Organisms capable of successful reproduction

Biome

Large geographical area defined by climate and dominant flora and fauna

Ecosystem

Interacting living and nonliving aspects of a particular location

Biotic

Living part of an ecosystem

Abiotic

Nonliving part of an ecosystem

Community

All the living components of an ecosystem

Population

All of the members of the same species in the same location at the same time

Biomass

Dry weight of all the organisms in a specific trophic level

Trophic level

Feeding level in a food chain

Autotroph (producer)

Organism capable of producing organic nutrients from inorganic substances

Heterotroph (consumer)

An organism that must eat other organisms to obtain nutrients

Herbivore

Organism that eats only plants

Carnivore

Organism that eats only animals

Omnivore

Organism that eats both plants and animals

Decomposer

Organism that breaks down dead organic matter

Detritivore

Organism that feeds on dead organic matter and organic waste

Ecological Pyramid

Diagram that demonstrates the relationships between the trophic levels in an ecosystem as they pertain to energy availability, biomass, and numbers

Predation

When one organism seeks out and eats another

Habitat

The place where an organism lives

Niche

The role an organism plays in its environment

Symbiosis

An interdependent intimate relationship between two organisms where at least one reaps a benefit

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed

Ecology

study of the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

Succession

The sequential changes that take place in an ecosystem as dominant organisms replace each other over time

Primary Succession

The first time an ecosystem forms where one never existed

Secondary Succession

The replacement of an ecosystem when a previous ecosystem is destroyed

Pioneer species

First species to enter an emerging ecosystem

Carrying capacity

Maximum number of individuals of a given species that an ecosystem can support