Ecosystems

Biotic factors

all the living members of an ecosystem

abiotic factors

resources that are competed for by living things

oxygen

O2 - 21%

Nitrogen

N - 78%

Carbon Dioxide

CO2 - less than 1 %

Argon

Ar - less than 1 %

organism

a single living thing

Population

two or more of the same organism

community

two or more populations of organisms

ecosystem

two or more populations or organisms PLUS abiotics

Plant abiotics

air, water, sun, nutrients, space, temperature

pond

an enclosed body of fresh water

forest

a land covered with mostly trees

prairie

huge grassland with over 300 different kinds of grasses and wildflowers

specialized structures

feature that helps an animal or plant survive

Internal Cues

a type of specialized structure that sends a signal from inside the body. Thirst, Hunger

External Cues

a type of specialized structure that sends a signal from outside the body. Temperature, Sound

Sun

The source of all energy in an ecosystem

Food Chain

transfers energy from one organism to another starting with the Sun

producer

organism that makes its own food

consumer

organisms that eat other organism to get food

herbivore

eats plants

carnivore

eats meats

omnivore

eats plants and meat

predator

an animal that is hunting for another animal

prey

an animal that is hunted by another animal