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Ecosystem Unit Vocabulary Ecosystem - a community of organisms and their abiotic environment (93) Organism - a living thing; anything that can carry out life processes independently Species - a group of organisms that are closely related and can mate to produce fertile offspring and would do so under natural conditions. Population - a group of organisms of the same species that live in a specific geographical area and interbreed. Community - a group of populations of various species that live in the same habitat and interact with each other Habitat - the place where an organism usually lives, must have food, water, shelter and space. Niche - the unique position occupied by a species, both in terms of its physical use of its habitat and its function within an ecological community. Like a species’ role or job in the ecosystem. Commensalism - a relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected Competition - the relationship between two species (or individuals) in which both species (or individuals) attempt to use the same limited resource such that both are negatively affected by the relationship Parasitism - a relationship between two species in which one species, the parasite, benefits from the other species, the host, and usually harms the host Predation - an interaction between two species in which one species, the predator, feeds on the other species, the prey Mutualism - a relationship between two species in which both species benefit Symbiotic Relationship - a relationship in which two different organisms live in close association with each other Photosynthesis - the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce carbohydrates and oxygen. Producer - an organism that can make organic molecules from inorganic molecules; a photosynthetic or chemosynthetic autotroph that serves as the basic food source in an ecosystem Consumer - an organism that eats other organisms or organic matter instead of producing its own nutrients or obtaining nutrients from inorganic sources Cellular Respiration - the process by which cells produce energy from carbohydrates; atmospheric oxygen combines with glucose to form water and carbon dioxide Heterotrph -living organism that obtains its energy from carbohydrates and other organic material. All animals and most bacteria and fungi are heterotrophic. Autotroph- Organisms that are able to make their own food (in the form of sugars) by using the energy of the Sun are called autotrophs, meaning "self-feeders” Trophic Level - one of the steps in a food chain or food pyramid; examples include producers and primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers biomagnifications - the accumulation of pollutants at successive levels of the food chain Herbivore – An Animal that primarily eats plants. Carnivore – An animal that eats primarily meat (other animals). Omnivore – An animal that eats both plant and animal matter. Decomposer - an organism that feeds by breaking down organic matter from dead organisms; examples include bacteria and fungi Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria - bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia Ammonia (NH4) – an important source of nitrogen for living systems. Although Nitrogen gas (N2) is abundant in the atmosphere, few living creatures are capable of utilizing this nitrogen. Nitrogen is required for the synthesis of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Most plants rely on ammonia and other nitrogenous wastes incorporated into the soil by decaying matter. Ecological Succession - a gradual process of change and replacement in a community Primary Succession - succession that begins in an area that previously did not support life Secondary Succession - the process by which one community replaces another community that has been partially or totally destroyed. Pioneer Species - a species that colonizes an uninhabited area and that starts an ecological cycle in which many other species become established Climax Community - a final, stable community in equilibrium with the environment