Bio

An organism that is able to capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce food from inorganic compounds also called a producer.

Autotroph

First producers of energy rich compounds that are later used by other organisms

Primary Producer

Process used by plants and other autotrophs to capture light energy and use it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into energy rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches

Photosynthesis

The process in which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates

Chemosynthesis

Organisms that obtain food by consuming other living things also called consumers

Heterotroph

Organism that relies on other organisms for its energy and food supply;also called heterotrophs

Consumer

Material made up of decaying bit of plants and animals material

Detritus

Series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

Food Chain

Photosynthetic algae found near the surface of the ocean

Phytoplankton

Network of complex Interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms on the ecosystem

Food Web

Each step in a food chain or web.

Trophic Level

Model of the relative amounts of energy or matter continent with each trophic level in a given food chain or web

Ecological Pyramid

Total amount of living things with in a given trophic level

Biomass

Cycle process in which elements,, chemical compounds and other forms of matter are passed from one part of the biosphere to another

Biogeochemical Cycle

Chemical substance that an organism need to sustain life

Nutrient

Process of converting nitrogen gas into compounds that plants can absorb and use

Nitrogen Fixation

Process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas

Denitrifaction

Single essential nutrient that limits protecting in an ecosystem

Limiting Nutrient