Pearson Biology Chapter 3 Vocabulary

Biosphere

Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of the Earth in which life exists, including land, water, and atmosphere

Species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offsprings

Population

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

Community

An assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area

Ecosystem

All organisms that live in a place, together with their physical environment

Biome

A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms

Ecology

The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and there physical environment.

Biotic Factor

Any living part of the environment

Abiotic Factor

Any no living things part of the environment

Autotrophs

Only algae, certain bacteria, and plants can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and covert it into forms that living cells can use

Primary Producers

The first producers of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms

Photosynthesis

Captures light energy and uses it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches

Chemosynthesis

Chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates

Heterotrophs

Must acquire energy from other organisms by ingesting them one way or another

Consumers

Organisms that rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients

Carnivores

Kill and eat other animals

Scavengers

Animals that consume the carcasses of other animals that have been killed

Decomposers

Feed by chemically breaking down organic matter

Herbivores

Obtain energy and nutrients by eating plant leaves, roots, seeds, or fruits

Omnivores

Animals that eat both meat and plants

Detritivores

Feed on detritus particles,often chewing or grinding them into even smaller pieces

Food Chain

A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

Phytoplankton

Primary producers are a mixture of floating algae

Zooplankton

That feed on marine algae

Tropic level

Each step in a food web of food chain

Ecological Pyramids

The relative amount of energy or matter contained within each tropic level in a given food chain of food web

Biomass

The total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level

Biogeochemical Cycles

Elements passes from one organism to another and among parts of the biosphere through closed loops

Nutrients

Chemical substances that an organism needs to sustain life

Nitrogen Fixation

Coverts nitrogen gas into ammonia

Denitrification

Process in which other bacteria obtains energy by converting nitrites into nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere

Limiting nutrients

The nutrients whose supply limits productivity