National 5 Biology: Section 14 - Ecosystems

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key ecological terms, trophic levels, competition types, and ecosystem dynamics from National 5 Biology Unit 3 (Life on Earth: Ecosystems).

Biodiversity

Is the variety of living organism found in a particular area

Biotic

The living components of an ecosystem that interact with other organisms and thier environment

Abiotic

The non - living components of an ecosystem that affect living organisms

Biotic Factors

• Predation

• Grazing

• Competition

• Dieses

• Food Availability

Abiotic Factors

• pH

• Light intensity

• Moisture

• Wind Speed

• Temperature

Biome

Is a large ecosystemor a collection of Ecosystems that have similar biotic and abiotic factors

Species

A group of organisms which can produce or reproduce fertile offspring

Population

All the organisms of the same species living in a particular habitat

Community

All the populations diffrent species living in a particular habitat

Habitat

The physical area where an organism lives

Ecosystem

Consists of all the living organisms in a particular habitat interacting with each other and thier non - living environment

Niche

The role that an organism plays within a community

Producer

Green plants that produce thier own food using photosynthesis

Consumer

An animal that eats other plants and animals to obtain energy.

Decomposer

Organisms that break down dead and decaying plants and animals

Herbivore

An organism that feeds on plant material only.

Carnivore

An organism that feeds on animal material only.

Omnivore

An organism that feeds on both plant and animal material.

Predator

An animal that hunts and preys on other animals for food.

Prey

An animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food.

Predation

The interaction in which one animal hunts and eats another animal

Food Chain

A food chain represents the transfer of energy between organisms in a community through feeding

Food Web

Is a network of interconnected food chains. They show feeding realtoionships between organisms in an ecosystem.

Competition

When organisms require the same resources that are in limited supply

Interspecific Competition

Occurs when organisms of diffrent species compete for one or a few required resources

Intraspecific Competition

Occurs when organisms of the same species compete for the same resources