Ecology and the Biosphere

Science

How organisms interact with their environment

Ecology

How organisms interact with their environment. Ecology. Ecology is the study of how living things relate to each other and their surroundings.

The part of Earth with life, its land, water and atmosphere

Biosphere

The part of Earth with life, its land, water and atmosphere. Biosphere. The biosphere is the global area where living organisms exist and interact with their environment.

A nonliving part of the environment, like water, light or temperature

Abiotic factor

A nonliving part of the environment, like water, light, or temperature. Abiotic factor. An abiotic factor is a nonliving component that affects the ecosystem, like sunlight or soil.

A living factor in the environment, like plants or animals

Biotic factor

a living factor in the environment, like plants or animals. biotic factor. In Science, a biotic factor refers to any living component that affects the ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

All the living and nonliving things interacting in an area

Ecosystem

All the living and nonliving things interacting in an area. Ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community where plants, animals, and the environment work together.

An organism that uses energy from the sun to produce its own food, like plants

Autotroph

An organism that uses energy from the sun to produce its own food, like plants. Autotroph. An autotroph is a living thing that makes its own food using sunlight or chemical energy.

Total mass of all living matter in a given area

Biomass

Total mass of all living matter in a given area. Biomass. Biomass is the amount of living material present in a specific habitat, like plants and animals, which can be used for energy.

An organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria. Decomposer. A decomposer is a living thing that recycles nutrients by breaking down dead matter.

The food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem

Food chain

The food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem. Food chain. A food chain is a sequence showing how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

A model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem

Food web

A model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem. Food web. A food web illustrates how different animals and plants are connected through the food they consume.

An animal that eats only plants

Herbivore

An animal that eats only plants. Herbivore. Herbivores are animals that obtain their energy and nutrients by consuming plants.

An organism that cannot make its own food, including all animals

Heterotroph

An organism that cannot make its own food, including all animals, is called a heterotroph. A heterotroph is an organism that eats other organisms to get energy.

A step in the food chain or food web

Trophic level

A step in the food chain or food web. Trophic level. A trophic level is the position an organism occupies in a food chain, like primary producers or top predators.

Large areas with similar climates, plants, and animals, like a tundra, taiga or desert

Biome

Large areas with similar climates, plants, and animals, like a tundra, taiga, or desert. Biome. A biome is a large region of Earth with a specific climate and certain types of plants and animals.

An animal that only eats other animals

Carnivore

An animal that only eats other animals. Carnivore. A carnivore is an animal that gets its energy and nutrients by consuming other animals.

An organism that feeds on dead organic matter

Detritivore

An organism that feeds on dead organic matter. Detritivore. Detritivores are animals that eat dead plants and animals, helping to recycle nutrients in ecosystems.

Can eat both plants and animals

Omnivore

Can eat both plants and animals. Omnivore. An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals.

The movement of a chemical through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Biogeochemical cycle

The movement of a chemical through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem biogeochemical cycle. A biogeochemical cycle is the continuous recycling of nutrients and elements through the environment, organisms, and the Earth's systems.

When a bacteria converts nitrates into nitrogen gas

Denitrification

When a bacteria converts nitrates into nitrogen gas. Denitrification. Denitrification is the process by which bacteria change nitrates in the soil into nitrogen gas, releasing it back into the atmosphere.

The process in which soil bacteria convert nitrogen gas into ammonia

Nitrogen fixation

The process in which soil bacteria convert nitrogen gas into ammonia is called nitrogen fixation. In simple terms, nitrogen fixation is how certain bacteria change nitrogen from the air into a form plants can use for growth.

A substance that an organism needs to live, like water or minerals

Nutrient

A substance that an organism needs to live, like water or minerals. Nutrient. Nutrients are essential materials found in food that help organisms grow, survive, and stay healthy.

Organism that can make its own food, like all plants

Producer

Organism that can make its own food, like all plants. Producer. A producer is an organism that creates its own food through photosynthesis, usually plants.

A process by which some organisms, like bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

Chemosynthesis

A process by which some organisms, like bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates. Chemosynthesis. Chemosynthesis is how certain organisms make food using energy from chemical reactions instead of sunlight.

Unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things

Consumer

Unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things. Consumer. In Science, a consumer is an organism that eats other living things to obtain energy.

Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that float near the water’s surface, like algae

Phytoplankton

Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that float near the waters surface, like algae. Phytoplankton are tiny water organisms that make their own food using sunlight, just like plants.

Floating animal plankton

Zooplankton

Floating animal plankton. Zooplankton. Zooplankton is tiny aquatic animals that drift in water and are an important food source for larger marine organisms.

Tiny microscopic organisms that float or drift in water

Plankton

Tiny microscopic organisms that float or drift in water. Plankton are small creatures that live in water and are a crucial part of the food chain, providing energy for larger marine animals.

The diagram of energy loss through a food chain

Energy pyramid

The diagram of energy loss through a food chain. Energy pyramid. An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the energy flow and loss at each trophic level in an ecosystem, with energy decreasing as it moves from producers to top consumers.