Ecosystem processors

Producer

An organism that makes its own food.

Consumer

An organism that eats other organisms to get energy.

Algae

Unicellular organisms that only live in water.

Photosynthesis

The process where plants make food using carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce oxygen and glucose.

Equation for Photosynthesis

Carbon dioxide + water + sunlight → oxygen + glucose.

Chloroplast

Organelle in leaf cells where photosynthesis occurs.

Photosynthesis process steps

1) Water enters roots. 2) Travels via stem to leaves. 3) Carbon dioxide enters leaf. 4) CO2 enters palisade cells. 5) Reacts with water in chloroplasts to produce glucose and oxygen.

Leaf

An organ that carries out photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment in plants responsible for absorbing sunlight.

Waxy layer

A layer that prevents water loss and allows light to pass through.

Stomata

Small openings on the leaf that allow gas exchange.

Guard cells

Cells that open and close stomata.

Spongy mesophyll

Layer in leaves with air spaces for gas exchange.

Palisade layer

Layer of leaf cells rich in chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

Plant minerals

Essential nutrients needed by plants, including nitrates, magnesium, phosphates, and potassium.

Nitrates function

Help make amino acids for protein synthesis.

Magnesium+nitrate function

Used to make chlorophyll; deficiency leads to yellow leaves.

Phosphates function

Essential for healthy root development.

Potassium function

Helps reactions in plant cells for growth; deficiency slows photosynthesis.

Fertilizers

Chemicals added to the soil to prevent mineral deficiencies in plants.

Chemosynthesis

Process used by bacteria to make glucose using energy from chemical reactions.

Symbiotic relationship

A relationship where both organisms benefit from each other.

Aerobic respiration

Metabolic process that uses oxygen to convert glucose into energy, producing carbon dioxide and water.

Equation for aerobic respiration

Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy.

Mitochondria

Organelles in cells where aerobic respiration takes place.

Anaerobic respiration

Metabolic process that does not use oxygen; produces less energy than aerobic respiration.

Lactic acid

A byproduct of anaerobic respiration in muscles that causes fatigue.

Equation for anaerobic respiration

Glucose → lactic acid + energy.

Fermentation

Anaerobic respiration producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Oxygen debt

The amount of oxygen needed to convert lactic acid back into glucose.

Food chain

A linear sequence showing how energy is transferred between organisms.

Food web

A complex network of food chains showing how they interconnect.

Interdependence

How living organisms depend on each other for survival.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of substances, such as chemicals, in an organism.

Ecosystem

All the plants and animals in a particular area and their environment.

Habitat

The natural home or environment of an organism.

Community

All the different populations of species in a specific area.

Population

All the individuals of one species in a given area.

Species

A group of organisms capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

Niche

The role or function of an organism within its ecosystem.

Non-overlapping niches

When organisms occupy different niches, reducing competition.