Relationships in Ecosystems

Resources

Resources

food, water, shelter, space, or any other substance or object needed by an organism for growth, development, or successful reproduction

Autotroph

an organism that can form its own nutritional substances to be used for energy, such as through the process of photosynthesis

Commensalism

a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits from the relationship and the other species is unaffected

Heterotroph

an organism that needs to consume or ingest organic substances for energy

Mutualism

a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit from the relationship

Parasitism

a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits from the relationship and the other species is harmed

Population

a group of the same species that inhabits a geographical area

Intraspecific Competition

type of competition that occurs when members of the same species compete for limited resources

Interspecific competition

type of competition that occurs when members of different species compete for the same resources in an ecosystem

Producer

organisms that create their own usable energy

Consumer

organisms that eat other organisms

Decomposers

organisms that eat dead plants and animals

Symbiosis

interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, 3 main types

Mutualism

a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit from the relationship

Commensalism

a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits from the relationship and the other species is unaffected

Parasitism

a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits from the relationship and the other species is harmed

Obligate Mutualism

type of mutualism where species are completely interdependent on each other for their survival

Facultative Mutualism

type of mutualism where both species can survive on their own

Facultative Parasitism

an organism that may resort to parasitic activity, but does not absolutely rely on any host for completion of its life cycle

Obligate Parasitism

a parasitic organism that requires the host organism to complete its life cycle