Ecology and Symbiotic Relationships

Vocabulary review covering autotrophs, heterotrophs, ecological roles, competition, predation, and the three primary types of symbiosis.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that must consume other organisms for food.

Herbivores

Consumers that eat only plants.

Carnivores

Consumers that eat only meat.

Omnivores

Consumers that eat both plants and meat.

Detritivores / Decomposers

Organisms that break down and eat dead things or dead organisms.

Producers

Autotrophs that supply energy for all food chains by making their own food.

Competition

The interaction that occurs when organisms compete for the same resources to survive.

Resource

Available things that organisms need to survive in an ecosystem.

Predation

An ecological interaction where a predator hunts and kills prey.

Symbiosis

A close relationship where two different species interact with each other.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit each other.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is harmed.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other organism is unaffected.