Save
Upgrade to remove ads
Busy. Please wait.
Log in with Clever
or
show password
Forgot Password?
Don't have an account?  Sign up 
Sign up using Clever
or
Username is available taken
show password


Make sure to remember your password. If you forget it there is no way for StudyStack to send you a reset link. You would need to create a new account. Your email address is only used to allow you to reset your password. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Already a StudyStack user? Log In

Reset Password
Enter the associated with your account, and we'll email you a link to reset your password.
focusNode
Didn't know it?
click below
 
Knew it?
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
0:00
edit
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

Ecosystems

TermDefinition
environment the surroundings or conditions in which an organism must survive; includes living and nonliving elements
predator an animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals (called prey) to survive
prey any animal that is hunted, caught, and eaten by another animal (the predator) for food
abiotic the non-living, physical parts of an environment (STRAWS)
STRAWS sun, temperature, rocks, air, water, soil
biotic all the living—or once-living—parts of an ecosystem, such as animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi
carbon dioxide an invisible, odorless gas all around us, made of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms; humans and animals breathe it out, while plants take it in to grow
community living things (such as plants and animals) that naturally live together and rely on one another for survival
consumer an organism, usually an animal, that cannot make its own food and must eat plants, other animals, or both to get energy
decomposer nature’s recyclers, acting as a cleanup crew that breaks down dead plants, animals, and waste into nutrients; examples - fungi (mushrooms), bacteria, earthworms, beetles, termites
ecosystem made up of all of the living and nonliving things in an area
once-living objects that used to be alive (like a plant or animal) or were part of a living thing, but are not alive now
organism any living thing
population a group of living things of the same kind (species) that live in the same place at the same time
species a group of similar organisms that are able to reproduce
photosynthesis how plants make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
producer an organism that creates its own food or energy from the Sun; example - plants, bacteria, algae, and phytoplankton
carnivore an animal that gets its energy and nutrients by eating other animals
energy the "fuel" (mainly from the sun) that flows through living things, allowing them to grow, move, and survive
food web a diagram showing how multiple food chains in an ecosystem are connected
herbivore an animal that gets its energy by eating only plants
omnivore an animal that eats both plants and animals to get energy
matter the physical "stuff" that makes up all living (plants, animals) and non-living (water, soil, air) components
Sun the primary, ultimate source of energy that powers nearly all life on Earth
deforestation the large-scale removal or burning of trees and forests by humans to make space for farms, homes, agriculture, mining, lumber, or urban development
environmental change the study of how Earth’s natural surroundings—like air, water, land, and ecosystems—change over time from natural events and human actions
invasive species plants, animals, or germs that are not native to an area and cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health
negative human impact when human activities—such as pollution, deforestation, and overusing resources—harm the environment, animals, and ecosystems
overgrazing when animals—like cows, sheep, or horses—eat the plants in an area faster than the plants can grow back
overpopulation when too many humans, animals, or plants live in one area, exceeding the environment's ability to provide enough food, water, and space
perish to die, rot, or be destroyed completely
pollution when harmful substances—like trash, chemicals, or smoke—contaminate the air, water, or land, making the environment dirty and unhealthy for people, animals, and plants
positive human impact when people take actions that help the Earth, protect nature, and keep ecosystems healthy for animals and plants
scarcity there is not enough of something to go around for everyone who wants it
interdependence the way living things (animals, plants, humans) and their environment rely on each other to survive
Popular Science sets

 



Voices

Use these flashcards to help memorize information. Look at the large card and try to recall what is on the other side. Then click the card to flip it. If you knew the answer, click the green Know box. Otherwise, click the red Don't know box.

When you've placed seven or more cards in the Don't know box, click "retry" to try those cards again.

If you've accidentally put the card in the wrong box, just click on the card to take it out of the box.

You can also use your keyboard to move the cards as follows:

If you are logged in to your account, this website will remember which cards you know and don't know so that they are in the same box the next time you log in.

When you need a break, try one of the other activities listed below the flashcards like Matching, Snowman, or Hungry Bug. Although it may feel like you're playing a game, your brain is still making more connections with the information to help you out.

To see how well you know the information, try the Quiz or Test activity.

Pass complete!
"Know" box contains:
Time elapsed:
Retries:
restart all cards