Biology Unit 10 Ecology Vocabulary

A compilation of vocabulary terms related to the Ecology unit in Biology, including definitions crucial for understanding key ecological concepts.

Competition

Two organisms strive for the same resource.

Predator-Prey

One organism consumes another.

Symbioses

Close interaction of organisms that depend on one another to survive.

Commensalism

Symbioses in which one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited.

Parasitism

Symbioses in which one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Mutualism

Symbioses in which both organisms benefit.

Mortality

The death rate of a population.

Natality

The birth rate of a population.

Immigration

Individuals moving into a population.

Emigration

Individuals moving out of a population.

Population

Members of the same species.

Community

Several populations interacting in a given area at a given time.

Ecology

The study of ecosystems.

Ecosystems

The living and non-living parts of the environment (community and its physical environment).

Environment

An organism’s surroundings; everything that affects an organism.

Habitat

Where an organism lives.

Niche

How an organism lives (way of life).

Biotic Environment (factor)

Living factors in the environment (bio means life).

Abiotic Environment (factor)

Nonliving factors in the environment (abio means nonlife).

Limiting Factor

Any factor that limits the survival of organisms in their environment, slowing population growth.

Carrying Capacity

Maximum number of organisms that the environment can support.

Food Chain

Diagram illustrating which organisms consume others, showing energy flow.

Food Web

Dynamic illustrations of a combination of many food chains; shows feeding relationships.

Food Pyramid

Diagram showing the number of producers and consumers.

Producer

(autotroph) Provides its own energy (plants).

Consumer

(heterotroph) Consumes other organisms for energy.

Primary Consumer

(plant eaters/herbivores) Feeds on producers.

Secondary Consumer

(carnivores/omnivores) Feeds on primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumer

(carnivores/omnivores) Feeds on secondary consumers.

Mark and Recapture

Technique used for estimating mobile population size.

Humidity

The amount of moisture in the air.

Relative Humidity

The amount of moisture in the air relative to the temperature of the air.

Dew Point

The point at which dew forms due to saturation of moisture in the air.

Random Plot Study

A technique used to calculate stationary population size.

Transect Plot Study

A technique used to calculate stationary population size.