apes vocab 2

hydrologic cycle

the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface

mutualism

a type of symbiosis, or interaction between organisms, where both species benefit from the relationship

net primary productivity

the rate at which plants in an ecosystem produce chemical energy that is useful

photosynthesis

the process by which plants and algae use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose

cellular respiration

a process that occurs in the cells of all living organisms, using oxygen and organic molecules from food to produce energy, carbon dioxide, and water

nitrification

the process of converting ammonia into nitrite ions (NO2-) and then to nitrate ions (NO3-)

nitrogen fixation

the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into more reactive compounds that can be used by plants and animals

assimilation

the process of incorporating a nutrient into an organism's cells.

ammonification

the process by which decomposing microorganisms, like fungi and bacteria, break down nitrogenous waste and organic matter from dead plants and animals into inorganic ammonia (NH3)

denitrification

the process by which nitrates are reduced to gaseous nitrogen (N2) and lost to the atmosphere.

parasitism

relationship between two organisms where one species benefits at the expense of the other

primary succession

the first step of ecological succession, which is when life reestablishes itself after a disturbance

secondary succession

an ecological process that occurs when an established ecosystem is disturbed by a major event, but some life and nutrients remain

sink

a storage place for nutrients that can be used by other organisms or physical bodies

first law of therodynamics

energy can't be created or destroyed, but it can be changed from one form to another