1. INTERACTIONS IN NATURE 2
Vocabulary

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

3. Essential Characteristics: -ecologists are scientists who study these interactions

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

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

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

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

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

9. 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

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

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

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