Ecosystem

all the living and non-living organisms in a particular location

abiotic factors

non-living components in an ecosystem (water, soil, carbon dioxide,etc)

biotic factors

all the living components in an ecosystem (bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, animals)

Cellular respiration

the process that takes food energy and turn it into cellular energy, ATP

Glucose + Oxygen ---> ATP + Carbon Dioxide and Water

takes place in mitochondria

Photosynthesis

the process of taking in carbon dioxide and water and turning it into food for the plant (glucose) using the energy from the sun.

Carbon dioxide + water ---> glucose + oxygen

food chain

path of energy flow in an ecosystem

Source of all energy

the sun

chemosynthesis

process that makes food for an organism using inorganic materials (bacteria)

autotroph

also known as a producer

make own food in their body

uses photosynthesis and chemosynthesis

heterotroph

also known as a consumer

eaters other organisms for food

herbivore

organisms that eat plants

omnivore

organisms that eat plants and animals

carnivore

organism that eats other animals

detritivore

decomposer

eat dead or decaying materials

food web

interconnected food chains in an ecosystem

energy pyramid

shows the energy transfer through different trophic levels

only 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels

habitat

where an organism lives within an ecosystem

niche

• the role of an organism in their environment.

• May include requirements for space, moisture, food, temperature, reproductive conditions.

competition

• interaction of organisms to get food, water, shelter, mates, etc.

predation

• the pursuit of other organisms as a food source

predator

organism that is hunting the prey for food

prey

the food source for the predator

mutualism

• two organisms that benefit from a relationship

commensalism

• one organism benefits while the other receives no harm/benefit

parasitism

• one organism benefits, one is harmed.

Limiting factors

biotic and abiotic factors that prevent a population from continually increasing

carrying capacity

max number of organisms an environment can support

emigration

organisms leaving a particular ecosystem

immigration

organisms moving into a particular ecosystem

biogeochemical cycles

• Cycles that circulate water, carbon and nitrogen from the non-living environment to living organisms and then back to the environment.

transpiration

water evaporating from leaves of plants through stomata.

combustion

• burning of wood and fossil fuels that releases CO2

respiration

burn sugar to create ATP and release CO2

erosion

• breakdown of limestone and release of carbon

decomposition

breakdown of wastes or decaying material, releases CO2

evaporation

• liquid water leaving the earth's surfaces and becoming water vapor in the atmosphere.

infiltration

• water that seeps into the soil to become groundwater.

precipitation

• rain, sleet, snow, etc.

assimilation

absorption of and use of nitrogen to make organic compounds by plants.

ammonification

production of ammonia by bacteria during the decay process.

nitrification

production of nitrates from ammonia by Nitrifying bacteria. (nitrates can then be used by plants.)

denitrification

conversion of some nitrates into nitrogen gas by Denitrifying bacteria.