Science Word Wednesday, 9/6/17 8th Grade Advisories – please go through about ½ of the vocabulary words. (rest next week) Students should write the term with definitions in their OWN words. It is highly suggested that students use sketches, pictures or diagrams for the terms as well. Science teachers will check their work in class (FG). Thank you, 8th Grade Science Team

The non-living components of an ecosystem Abiotic The non-living components of an ecosystem

Adaptation The structure or behavior that helps an organism survive in its surroundings

A variety of different species in an area Biodiversity A variety of different species in an area

The living components of an ecosystem Biotic The living components of an ecosystem

All of the populations sharing a specific area or region Community All of the populations sharing a specific area or region

An organism, usually an animal, that feeds on plants or other animals. Consumer An organism, usually an animal, that feeds on plants or other animals.

Ecological Succession Continuous colonization, extinction, and replacement of species' populations at a particular site, due to environmental changes.

Ecology Study of interactions of organisms with each other and their environment

Energy Pyramid ecological hierarchy of food relationships in which a chief predator is at the top; each level receives energy from the next lower level

Food Chain arrangement of the organisms of an ecological community according in which each uses the next usually lower member as a food source

Arrangement of several overlapping food chains Food Web Arrangement of several overlapping food chains

Natural Selection The theory, founded by Charles Darwin, whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Population All members of a species living in a particular area at a particular time

Primary Succession The development of biotic factors in previously uninhabited areas with little to no top soil

An organism that makes its own food. Producer An organism that makes its own food.

Secondary Succession Occurs in an area where soil exists and growth of plants has been interrupted but not completely wiped out

Artificial Reef Human-made underwater structures, typically built for the purpose of promoting/preserving marine life

Commensalism Relationship between species in which one species is helped and the other is unaffected

Competition Organisms trying to get their share of the limited resources available.

Decomposer Simple organism, such as bacteria or fungus, that breaks down dead organisms and waste, returning important nutrients to the environment

The state of relying on something for survival Dependence The state of relying on something for survival

Ecosystems All the living and non-living components that interact with each other in various environments.

A living organism that a parasite obtains nutrients Host A living organism that a parasite obtains nutrients

Being mutually reliant on another Interdependence Being mutually reliant on another

Relationship between two species in which both species benefit Mutualism Relationship between two species in which both species benefit

Parasite An organism that lives on or in another organism to receive nutrients from the organism to benefit itself

Parasitism Relationship between species in which one species (parasite) benefits and the other (host) is harmed but not usually killed

Animal that kills and eats other animals (prey) Predator Animal that kills and eats other animals (prey)

Organism that is killed and eaten by another organism (predator) Prey Organism that is killed and eaten by another organism (predator)

Resources Useful materials we get from the Earth that enhance the quality of human life.

Runoff Water that flows over the ground surface or through the ground directly carrying pollutants from the ground into streams, rivers, lakes and eventually the ocean.

Soil Composition The make up of soil such as sediment, minerals and decaying organic material

A close relationship between two species Symbiosis A close relationship between two species