Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Ecosystem Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Biodegradation | Biodegradation is the process by which organic substances are broken down into simpler, less complex compounds by the action of living organisms, primarily microorganisms like bacteria and fungi |
| Producer | In science, producers are organisms that create their own food through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis |
| Decomposer | an organism, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material. |
| Energy flow | Energy flow is the transfer of energy through an ecosystem, from producers like plants to consumers and decomposers |
| Food pyramid | A food pyramid is a visual guide to a balanced diet, showing recommended servings of food groups from bottom to top in order of importance |
| Photosynthesis | the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct |
| Primary producer | A primary producer is an organism that creates its own food, forming the base of a food web |
| Tertiary consumer | A tertiary consumer is an organism that eats secondary consumers, placing it near the top of the food chain |
| Biotic | relating to or resulting from living things, especially in their ecological relations |
| Nitrogen cycle | The nitrogen cycle is the continuous process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms as it circulates between the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms |
| Carbon cycle | The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon atoms continually move from the atmosphere to the Earth and back again, including through living organisms, the ocean, and the ground |
| Geosphere | any of the almost spherical concentric regions of matter that make up the earth and its atmosphere, as the lithosphere and hydrosphere. |
| Hydrosphere | The hydrosphere is the total amount of water on, under, and above Earth's surface, including oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and atmospheric water vapor |
| Terrestrial | of, on, or relating to the earth. |
| Biomass | Biomass is organic material from plants and animals that can be used as a renewable energy source |
| Consumer | a person or thing that eats or uses something. |
| Decomposition | the process of breaking down something into simpler parts |
| Food chain | A food chain is a linear sequence in an ecosystem that shows how energy and nutrients are transferred when one organism eats another |
| Food web | A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates the feeding relationships and energy flow within an ecosystem |
| Primary consumer | A primary consumer is an organism that feeds on producers, such as plants or algae, and is therefore classified as a herbivore |
| Secondary consumer | A secondary consumer is an organism that feeds on primary consumers, which are herbivores that eat plants |
| Trophic | relating to feeding and nutrition. |
| Abiotic | physical rather than biological; not derived from living organisms |
| Water cycle | The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth's surface, driven by energy from the sun and gravity |
| Biosphere | The biosphere is the global ecological zone where all life exists, encompassing all ecosystems and living organisms on Earth |
| Atmosphere | An "atmosphere" is a gaseous envelope surrounding a celestial body, or a general pervading feeling or mood in a place |
| Aquatic | relating to water. |
Created by:
user-2005991