Ecosystem
all of the living organisms in a given area and the non-living with which they interact
Biomass
the dry weight of organisms within an ecosystem
Law of Conservation of Matter
matter cannot be created or destroyed
Trophic Level
group of organisms in an ecosystem identified by their food source
Producers
make their own food
Chemoautotrophs
capture energy from inorganic chemical sources
Photoautotrophs
capture light energy
Consumers
obtain energy by eating other organisms
Herbivores
consume only plants and algae
Carnivores
consume other animals
Omnivores
consume both plants and animals
Decomposers
consume dead organisms
Scavengers
feed on remains of predators
Bacteria and Fungi
complete the nutrient cycle of returning nutrients to their inorganic form by decomposing dead plants and animals
Food Chains
all terms for the structure of the feeding relationship in an ecosystem