The Living World Key Terminology

words for aqa gcse geography 3.1.2 the living world

Abiotic

components in an ecosystem that are non-living environmental factors such as climate, soil, water, light

Biome

global-scale ecosystems such as a tropical rainforest or deciduous woodland

Biotic

components in an ecosystem that are living such as plants and fish

Consumer

organism that eats herbivores and/or plant matter

Decomposer

organisms such as bacteria or fungi that break down plant and animal material

Ecosystem

a community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment

Food Chain

connections between different organisms (plants and animals) that rely upon one another as their source of food

Food Web

a complex hierarchy of plants and animals relying on each other for food

Lines of Latitude

lines that run parallel to Earth’s Equator, measured in degrees

Nutrient Cycle

ongoing recycling of nutrients between living organisms and their environment

Producer

an organism or plant that is able to absorb energy from the sun through photosynthesis