Interdependence of Living Organisms Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the interdependence of living organisms, including characteristics of life, properties of water, the role of nutrients, and enzyme dynamics.

Characteristics of living things

Cells, organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, energy use (metabolism), and evolution of adaptations.

Importance of water for living organisms

Water makes up a large portion of organisms' bodies and provides habitat for aquatic organisms.

Covalent bond

A type of bond where atoms share electrons.

Hydrogen bond

A weak bond between a hydrogen atom and another atom, often seen in water.

Polar molecule

A molecule with a slight positive end and a slight negative end due to unequal sharing of electrons.

Cohesion

The property of water that allows hydrogen bonding between water molecules.

Adhesion

The property of water that allows hydrogen bonding with other polar molecules.

Surface tension

A measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid; water has high surface tension.

Heat of vaporization

The energy required to convert a liquid into a gas; water has a high heat of vaporization.

Density

The mass of a substance per unit volume; solid water (ice) is less dense than liquid water.

Law of Conservation of Matter

Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed; elements must be recycled.

Nutrient cycling

The process where nutrients flow through living and nonliving parts of Earth via biogeochemical cycles.

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis.

Carnivore

An organism that obtains energy and nutrients by eating animals.

Consumer

An organism that relies on other organisms for energy and nutrients.

Decomposer

An organism that obtains energy by breaking down organic matter chemically.

Detritivore

An organism that consumes dead or decaying organic matter for energy and nutrients.

Herbivore

An organism that obtains energy and nutrients by eating plants.

Heterotroph

An organism that must consume other organisms for energy.

Omnivore

An organism that obtains energy and nutrients by eating both plants and animals.

Producer

An organism that produces energy-rich compounds that are later used by consumers.

Scavenger

An animal that consumes carcasses of animals killed by predators.

Food chain

A series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food, illustrating energy transfer.

Food web

A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

Enzyme

A protein that speeds up chemical reactions necessary for life.

Denaturation of enzymes

The process where an enzyme loses its shape and function due to extreme temperatures or pH.

Macromolecules

Large essential molecules in living organisms: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Activation energy

The minimum energy barrier for a reaction to occur; enzymes lower this energy.