1. ECOSYSTEMS VOCAB

2. Levels of Organization
Biosphere- Made of all the ecosystems on Earth
Ecosystem-A collection of living things & the environment they live in
Habitat-Natural, physical environment of an organism
Organism-Any living system
Populations-All individuals of a species in a given area
Community-Consists of populations of different species that interact

3. Survival of the Fittest
Adaptations-Any characteristic of an organism that makes it better able to live in its habitat
Evolution-Changes in hereditary features of a species over time
Natural Selection-Darwin’s theory of evolution
States that organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive & pass their traits to their offspring

4. Roles in the Ecosystem
Producers-Organisms (green plants) that can make their own food by photosynthesis
Consumers-Organisms that can’t
their own food
Decomposers-Break down the bodies of dead organisms

5. Herbivore-Eats plants
Carnivore-Flesh-eating animals
Omnivore-Eats plants & animals
Predator-Feeding of 1 organism on another
Prey-Food for larger organisms

6. Sun-Source of energy
Photosynthesis-Process where plants use light energy to produce food
CO2 + 2H2O + sunlight ---> O 2 + (C H2O)n +
H2 O or... carbon dioxide + water + sunlight ---> oxygen + carbohydrate + water

7. Respiration-Process where organisms break down food to release energy
Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon dioxide + Water ATP C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + 36 ATP

8. Abiotic Factors-Non-living factors in an ecosystem
Limiting Factors-limit the amount of organisms an ecosystem can support
Space, Food, Water, Disease
Abiotic Factors-Non-living factors in an ecosystem
Water, air temperature, amount of sunlight, nutrients
Water-Respiration, photosynthesis, & digestion can only take place in the presence of water

9. Soil-Type of soil determines types of plants & organisms in that location
Light & Temperature- Availability of sunlight major factor determining where green plants live

10. Biotic Factors-Living organisms in the environment Dichotomous Key-
Examples: plants & animals
Dichotomous Key-
Classifies organisms
using a detailed list
of traits

11. Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis-Any close relationship between 2 or more DIFFERENT species

12. Commensalism
Commensalism-Benefits 1 species but does not harm or help the other
Example-Anenomes & Clownfish

13. MUTUALISM
Benefits both species

15. PARASITISM
Benefits the parasite & harms the host