Biology - Unit 5

Bio Sohan

Ecology

The study of organisms and their interactions with their environment.

Economics

The consumption of resources.

Community

Different populations living together in the same area.

Biome

A group of ecosystems with similar climates and typical organisms.

Species

Similar organisms that can breed together.

Biosphere

The global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships.

Ecosystem

All the organisms in a certain place together with their physical environment.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

Biotic factors

Living parts of the environment with which an organism interacts.

Abiotic factors

Nonliving parts of ecosystems.

Autotrophs

Organisms that capture energy from sunlight or chemical compounds and turn it into food.

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food, typically through photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs convert sunlight into sugars.

Chemosynthesis

The process of converting chemical energy into carbohydrates, primarily done in deep-sea environments.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Herbivore

Organisms that obtain energy by eating plants.

Carnivore

Organisms that obtain energy by eating other animals.

Omnivore

Organisms that obtain energy by eating both plants and animals.

Decomposer

Organisms that break down dead organic matter for energy.

Food Chain

A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

Food Web

A network of food chains that shows feeding relationships among organisms.

Detritus

Dead and decaying plant and animal remains.

Pyramid of Energy

Shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level.

Gross Primary Productivity

All the energy produced by plants from sunlight.

Net Primary Productivity

Gross primary productivity minus energy used in respiration; the energy available to the next trophic level.

Niche

Describes how an organism interacts with biotic and abiotic factors in its environment.

Habitat

The area where an organism lives, including biotic and abiotic factors.

Tolerance

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce under varying environmental conditions.

Competition

When organisms attempt to use the same resources, leading to struggles for survival.

Symbiosis

A relationship between two or more organisms that live closely together.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.