Unit 1 Review: The Living World and Ecosystems

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to ecosystems, biomes, and nutrient cycles necessary for understanding the living world.

Predator-Prey Relationship

An interaction where the predator is an organism that eats another organism (the prey).

Symbiosis

A close and long-term interaction between two species in an ecosystem.

Types of Symbiosis

Includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Competition

Occurs within or between species in an ecosystem where there are limited resources.

Resource Partitioning

Using resources in different ways, places, or at different times to reduce the negative impact of competition.

Biome

Characteristic communities of plants and animals that result from and are adapted to their climate.

Major Terrestrial Biomes

Includes taiga, temperate rainforests, temperate seasonal forests, tropical rainforests, shrubland, temperate grassland, savanna, desert, and tundra.

Freshwater Biomes

Include streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes which are vital resources for drinking water.

Marine Biomes

Include oceans, coral reefs, marshland, and estuaries; algae in marine biomes supply oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.

Primary Productivity

The rate at which solar energy is converted into organic compounds via photosynthesis.

Gross Primary Productivity

The total rate of photosynthesis in a given area.

Net Primary Productivity

The rate of energy storage by photosynthesizers after subtracting energy lost to respiration.

Food Web

A model of interlocking patterns of food chains that depicts the flow of energy and nutrients.

Carbon Cycle

The movement of carbon atoms and molecules between sources and sinks.

Nitrogen Cycle

The movement of nitrogen atoms and molecules between sources and sinks.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form available for uptake by plants.

Phosphorus Cycle

The movement of phosphorus atoms and molecules between sources and sinks.

Hydrologic Cycle

The movement of water in its various phases between sources and sinks.

Sulfur Cycle

The movement of sulfur atoms and molecules between sources and sinks.