Download Ecology Definitions

Ecology Definitions



Ecosystem – A community of interrelated
plants, animals, and abiotic factors
Evolution – Process by which an organism
changes over time
Natural Selection – The natural process by
which organisms better suited for their
environment survive to pass those qualities on
to successive generations




Niche – A specific area or function within a habitat
Photosynthesis – The chemical process by which
plants use the Sun’s energy to convert water and
carbon dioxide into sugar
Adaptation - A physical or behavioral change that
improves a species’ ability to succeed in its
environment
Artificial Selection – Human intervention in breeding
animals or plants with desired characteristics




Abiotic – Describes nonliving factors that help
living things survive; temperature, soil, light,
water
Adaptive Radiation – Diversification from a
common ancestor into different forms
Biome – Linked ecosystems that form a large
regional or global living community
Food Chain – The way food energy is
transferred from one organism to another





Habitat – The place in which an organism lives
Cellular Respiration – The process of releasing
energy stored in carbohydrates that produces carbon
dioxide and water (exhale)
First-Order Consumers – Organisms that eat food
producers (plants) (Primary)
Second-Order Consumer – Organisms that eat first
order consumers (Secondary)
Third-Order Consumer – Organisms that eat secondorder consumers (Tertiary)




Community – The living part of an ecosystem
Food Producers – Organisms such as plants
and algae which, through the process of
photosynthesis, create energy-rich food
Ecology – the study of the relationships and
interactions of living things with one another
and with their physical environment
Population – A group of organisms of the same
species living in the same ecosystem




Decomposers – Organisms such as fungi and bacteria
that break down the complex chemical compounds
made by living things into simple nutrients that are
used by food producers
Combustion – The process of burning such things as
wood or fossil fuels that releases carbon dioxide,
water, and stored energy.
Carbon cycle – The movement of carbon atoms
through an ecosystem between living organisms as
well as the non-living part of an environment
Fertile Offspring – Offspring that will mature and be
able to reproduce





Food Web – Interconnected food chains in an
ecosystem
Species – very similar organisms that can interbreed
and produce fertile offspring
Biotic – the living things in an ecosystem
Extinction – The complete destruction of an entire
species of organism
Nutrient – A simple chemical compound used to
nourish living things; the useable part of the food


Water cycle: – The movement of water
through an ecosystem between living
organisms as well as the non-living part of an
environment
Nitrogen cycle: – The movement of nitrogen
through an ecosystem between living
organisms as well as the non-living part of an
environment