Chapter 4 Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key ecology concepts from Chapter 4 notes, including energy flow, trophic relationships, and nutrient cycles.

Organism that is able to catch energy from sunlight or chemicals

Autotroph

First producer of energy compounds that are used by other organisms

Primary producer

When plants use light energy to make a chemical reaction

Photosynthesis

Process in which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates

Chemosynthesis

Organism that obtains food by consuming other living things; also called consumers

Heterotroph

Organism that relies on other organisms for its energy and food supply

Consumer

Material made up of decaying bits of plant and animal material

Detritus

Series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

Food chain

Photosynthetic algae found near surface of the ocean

Phytoplankton

Network of complex interactions formed by feeding relationships

Food web

Each step in a food chain/web

Trophic level

Model of the relative amounts of energy contain in any trophic level in a food chain

Ecological pyramid

Total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level

Biomass

Process in which elements are passed from one part of biosphere to another

Biogeochemical cycle

Chemical substance that an organism needs to sustain life

Nutrient

Process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compound that plants use

Nitrogen fixation

Process by which bacteria converts nitrates into nitrogen

Denitrification

Single essential nutrient that limits productivity in an ecosystem

Limiting nutrient