Cycling of matter/Animal relationships

Biogeochemical cycle

The movement of a particular chemical through the biological and geological parts of an ecosystem.

Oxygen cycling

The process of respiration and photosynthesis in the movement of oxygen.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert CO2 and H2O into O2 and glucose for energy and growth.

Chloroplast

Organelles found in leaf cells of plants and other producers where photosynthesis takes place.

Carbon cycle

The movement of carbon from the atmosphere, through the food web, and back to the atmosphere, playing a crucial role in organic matter and global warming.

Nitrogen cycle

The process in which bacteria convert gaseous nitrogen into ammonia, which moves through the food web and returns to the soil during decomposition, essential for plant growth.

Natural disruptions

Events such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, landslides, earthquakes, and living organisms that can disrupt ecosystems.

Human disruptions

Activities like poor farming practices, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation that can disrupt ecosystems.

Global warming/climate change

The increase in CO2 levels due to burning fossil fuels, leading to the trapping of heat energy in the atmosphere and causing the planet to heat up.

Predation

The interaction between a predator and prey, where one organism captures and eats the other, often resulting in a fight or flight response.

Competition

The competition between organisms of the same or different species for the same resources, often displayed through territorial behaviors.

Intraspecific

Competition occurring between members of the same population.

Interspecific

Competition occurring between different species with a niche overlap.

Symbiosis

A close relationship between two species where both benefit.

Mutualism

A relationship between two organisms in which both benefit from each other.

Commensalism

A relationship between two organisms in which one is helped, and the other is neutral.

Parasitism

A relationship between two organisms where one organism feeds off the other, harming or potentially killing the host.