INTERACTIONS IN NATURE 2 Vocabulary

Ecology: study of the interactions that take place among organisms and their environment

Essential Characteristics: -ecologists are scientists who study these interactions

Producer: organism that uses an outside source of energy like the sun to produce energy-rich molecules

Essential Characteristics: -most contain chlorophyll required for photosynthesis; chemosynthesis- energy-rich molecules are formed from vents deep in the ocean Examples: plants, bacteria

Consumer: organism that cannot create energy-rich molecules but obtains its food by eating other organisms

Essential Characteristics: consumers receive energy indirectly by what they eat Examples: herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers

Mutualism: type of symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit Examples: lichens

Commensalism: a type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is not affected Examples: anemones and clown fish, rhinos and birds

Parasitism: a type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is harmed Examples: roundworms

Niche: in an ecosystem, refers to the unique ways an organism survives, obtains food, and shelter, and avoids danger

Essential Characteristics: -species have different requirements for survival; have special adaptations Examples: spiders and worms in a rotting log