Ecosystems Vocabulary #3 Ecosystem: complex, interactive systems that include both biological communities (biotic) and physical (abiotic) components of the environment Organism: a living thing Population: a group of the same type of organism living in a certain area Biotic factor: any of the organisms living in an ecosystem Abiotic factor: nonliving things in an ecosystem that may be chemical or physical Habitat: the non-living things (abiotic factors) within an environment

Symbiotic Relationships Vocab 12 Symbiosis- a relationship where two organisms live together Mutualism – a relationship where both organisms benefit Example: Acacia tree and ants. The tree get protection from predators and the ants get shelter and food. Parasitism- One organism benefits and other (host) is harmed Example- Strangling fig vine uses trees as a support and way to get nutrients. It will eventually kill the tree. Ticks on a dog. The tick will suck the blood of the host making it sick. Commensalism – One organism benefits while the other is unaffected Example Remora Shark and the Whale Shark. The Remora gets protection and food while the whale shark get nothing.

Ecological Relationships Vocab 12 Herbivore (plant eater)  Carnivore (meat eater)  Omnivore (plant & meat eater) Producer – makes their own food Consumer – gets their food by eating other organisms Decomposer – absorbs nutrients from dead organisms Symbiosis- a relationship where two organisms live together Mutualism – a relationship where both organisms benefit Example: Acacia tree and ants. The tree get protection from predators and the ants get shelter and food. Parasitism- One organism benefits and other (host) is harmed Example- Strangling fig vine uses trees as a support and way to get nutrients. It will eventually kill the tree. Ticks on a dog. The tick will suck the blood of the host making it sick. Commensalism – One organism benefits while the other is unaffected Example Remora Shark and the Whale Shark. The Remora gets protection and food while the whale shark get nothing.

Microbes Vocab 19 1. Microbe - – any organism or near life form that cannot be seen with the naked eye 2. Virus- A tiny non-living particle that enters and reproduces inside a living cell. They are composed of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and a protein coat. 3. Host – organism that provides energy (Example: human, dog, tomato) 4. Parasite an organism that is living on or in a host cell that causes harm to the host 5.Bacteria- single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus, prokaryotic 6. Prokaryotic-organism that lacks a nucleus (has DNA) and other cell structures 7. Fungi- A eukaryotic organism that has cell walls, use spores to reproduce, and is a heterotroph that feeds by absorbing its food. 8. Eukaryotic either unicellular or multi-cellular organism that contains membrane-bound organelles and genetic material within a nucleus.

Infectious Disease Vocab 25 Infectious Disease – disease caused by the presence of a living thing in the body. Pathogen – a microbe that causes disease in an organism Carrier – a PERSON with a disease that they can pass on to other organisms Vector – an ANIMAL/Insect that carries and transmits a disease Vaccine – substance entered in the body to produce immunity (prevent getting sick) Antibiotic – medicines used to kill or slow growth in bacteria that cause disease Anti viral- Medicines used to treat a virus once a person is sick but must be given with a few days of exposure. Epidemic – illness or health-related issue that is showing up in more cases than would normally be expected. (Ex: Malaria) Pandemic – wide spread (usually worldwide) outbreak of an infectious disease (Ex: Influenza)