Pre-AP Biology Quiz 3.1-3.2

ecology

the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment/surrounding

population

an assemblage of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

communities

an assemblage of different populations in an area

ecosystem

includes all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their physical environment

biome

a group of ecosystems that have similar climates and organisms

biosphere

consists of the parts of the planet in which all life exists

biotic factor

any living part of an environment

abiotic factor

any nonliving part of an environment

autotrophs

also known as primary producers and are organisms that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to produce food

heterotrophs

also known as consumers and are organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food

herbivores

obtain energy by eating plants (cows, rabbits)

carnivores

obtain energy by eating only animals (snakes, lions)

omnivores

obtain energy by eating both plants and animals (you, bear)

scavengers

obtain energy by consuming carcasses of other animals (vultures)

decomposers

obtain energy by breaking organic matter (bacteria, fungi)

detrivores

obtain energy by feeding on dead matter (earthworm)

photosynthesis

the process in which autotrophs capture light and energy and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugars

chemosynthesis

the process in which autotrophs use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

observations, experimentation, modeling

What are the three basic methods of ecological research?