biology chapter 3-4 vocabulary

biosphere

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

denitrification

Conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas

ecology

Scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment

chemosynthesis

Process by which some organisms, such as certain bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

biogeochemical cycle

Process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another

nitrogen fixation

Process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia

limiting nutrient

Single nutrient that either is scarce or cycles very slowly, limiting the growth of organisms in an ecosystem

secondary succession

Succession following a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil

keystone species

a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.

habitat

Place where an organism lives

species

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

food chain

(ecology) a community of organisms where each member is eaten in turn by another member

food web

(ecology) a community of organisms where there are several interrelated food chains

ecological succession

(ecology) the gradual and orderly process of change in an ecosystem brought about by the progressive replacement of one community by another until a stable climax is established

niche

(ecology) the status of an organism within its environment and community (affecting its survival as a species)

ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

symbiosis

A close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species.

biome

A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms

population

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

community

A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other

biomass

A measure of the total dry mass of organisms within a particular region

commensalism

A relationship between two organisms of different species where one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited

mutualism

A relationship between two species in which both species benefit

primary succession

An ecological succession that begins in an area where no biotic community previously existed

predation

An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism

decomposer

An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms

detritivore

An organism that consumes organic wastes and dead organisms.

consumers

An organism that eats other organisms

biotic factor

Any living part of the environment with which an organism might interact

nutrients

Compounds in food that the body requires for proper growth, maintenance, and functioning

ecological pyramid

Diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter within each trophic level in a food chain or food web

trophic level

Each step in a food chain or food web

competitive exclusion principle

Ecological rule that states that no two species can occupy the same exact niche in the same habitat at the same time

pioneer species

First species to populate an area during primary succession

abiotic factor

Non-living factors including temperature, water, sunlight, wind, rocks and soil

scavengers

an animal that feeds on carrion, dead plant material, or refuse.

phytoplankton

plankton consisting of microscopic plants.

zooplankton

plankton consisting of small animals and the immature stages of larger animals.

parastism

relationship where 2 species where one gets nutrilized at a disadvantage of the other