Ecological Relationships * - 6th Grade

Life Science

Radiant Energy

The main source of energy on earth - sunlight

Organic

made from living matter.

Ecosystem

A system formed by the interaction of organisms with their physical environment

Mutualism

both organisms benefit 🙂 🙂

Parasitic relationship

When an organism feeds on a living host - Parasite 🙂. Host 🙁

Evolve

to develop gradually

Adaptation

A genetic trait that improves an organisms chance to survive and reproduce

Interdependent

depending on each other

Decomposer

An organism that breaks dead organisms and waste matter

Herbivore

A consumer that eats only plants.

Omnivore

A consumer that eats both plants and animals

Carnivore

A consumer that eats only animals.

Microorganisms/Microbes

Any microscopic organism. Ex; bacteria, some fungi

Organic matter/waste

The remains or waste of plants and animals.

Habitats

Places where animals or plants naturally live and grow

Niche

An organism's role or job in the ecosystem

Native Species

Species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem

Invasive Species (non-native)

Not originally from the area so there are no natural predators and they take over an area

Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed - it just transforms to another type

Symbiotic Relationship

The relationship between two species that live close with each other ex: mutualism, commensalism, parastisism

Commensalism

one organism benefits 🙂 and the other is unaffected 😐

Ecology

The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment