1. 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

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

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

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

5. The living components of an ecosystem
Biotic
The living components of an ecosystem

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

7. 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.

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

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

10. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

25. Being mutually reliant on another
Interdependence
Being mutually reliant on another

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

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

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

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

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

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

32. 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.

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

34. A close relationship between two species
Symbiosis
A close relationship between two species