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