Ecology Vocab Quiz Study Guide
Ecology is the study of the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Biosphere- anywhere in ,on, or around the Earth where life exists
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships.
Species-organisms capable of successful reproduction
Biome- large geographical area defined by climate and dominant flora and fauna
Ecosystem- interacting living and nonliving aspects of a particular location
Biotic- living part of ecosystem
Abiotic- nonliving part of ecosystem
Community- all the living components of an ecosystem
Population- all of the members of the same species in the same location at the same time
biomass- dry weight of all the organisms in a specific trophic level
trophic level- feeding level in a food chain
autotroph (producer)- organism capable of producing organic nutrients from inorganic substances
heterotroph (consumer)- an organism that must eat other organisms to obtain nutrients
herbivore- organism that eats only plants
carnivore- organism that eats only animals
omnivore- organism that eats both plants and animals
decomposer- organism that breaks down dead organic matter
detritivore- organism that feeds on dead organic matter and organic waste
Ecological Pyramid- diagram that demonstrates the relationships between the trophic levels in an ecosystem as they pertain to energy availability, biomass and numbers
predation- when one organisms seeks out and eats another
habitat-the place where an organism lives
niche- the role an organism plays in its environment
symbiosis- an interdependent intimate relationship between two organisms where at least one reaps a benefit
mutualism- a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit
commensalism- a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected
parasitism- a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed
Succession- the sequential changes that take place in an ecosystem as dominant organisms replace each other over time
Primary Succession- the first time ecosystem forms where one never existed
Secondary Succession- the replacement of an ecosystem when a previous ecosystem is destroyed
Pioneer species- first species to enter a emerging ecosystem
Carrying capacity- maximum number of individuals of a given species that an ecosystem can support
Ecology is the study of the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Biosphere- anywhere in ,on, or around the Earth where life exists
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships.
Species-organisms capable of successful reproduction
Biome- large geographical area defined by climate and dominant flora and fauna
Ecosystem- interacting living and nonliving aspects of a particular location
Biotic- living part of ecosystem
Abiotic- nonliving part of ecosystem
Community- all the living components of an ecosystem
Population- all of the members of the same species in the same location at the same time
biomass- dry weight of all the organisms in a specific trophic level
trophic level- feeding level in a food chain
autotroph (producer)- organism capable of producing organic nutrients from inorganic substances
heterotroph (consumer)- an organism that must eat other organisms to obtain nutrients
herbivore- organism that eats only plants
carnivore- organism that eats only animals
omnivore- organism that eats both plants and animals
decomposer- organism that breaks down dead organic matter
detritivore- organism that feeds on dead organic matter and organic waste
Ecological Pyramid- diagram that demonstrates the relationships between the trophic levels in an ecosystem as they pertain to energy availability, biomass and numbers
predation- when one organisms seeks out and eats another
habitat-the place where an organism lives
niche- the role an organism plays in its environment
symbiosis- an interdependent intimate relationship between two organisms where at least one reaps a benefit
mutualism- a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit
commensalism- a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected
parasitism- a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed
Succession- the sequential changes that take place in an ecosystem as dominant organisms replace each other over time
Primary Succession- the first time ecosystem forms where one never existed
Secondary Succession- the replacement of an ecosystem when a previous ecosystem is destroyed
Pioneer species- first species to enter a emerging ecosystem
Carrying capacity- maximum number of individuals of a given species that an ecosystem can support