GLOSSARY
biome
abiotic (factors, characteristics) biotic (factors, characteristics) Food Chain Food Web Energy/Trophic Pyramid Producer (Autotroph) Consumer (Heterotroph) Decomposer Ten Percent Rule Adaptation Behavioral Adaptation Structural Adaptation Symbiosis Commensalism Mutualism Parasitism |
A large biotic community characterized by certain plant and animal species and with a specific climate.
Nonliving parts of an environment that affect the living organisms and the functioning of the ecosystem Living organisms that affect other living organisms and the functioning of an ecosystem. A succession or hierarchy or organisms in an ecosystem that transfer energy/nutrients between each other (usually through being eaten). It usually begins with a plant or fungi and continues with each organism being eaten by the one above them in the chain. A combination of food chains that represent a larger network within an ecosystem. A graphical representation of the organisms/biomass at each trophic level of an ecosystem. Biomass is the amount of organic material in an ecosystem, and the trophic level is the position or level on a food web or chain. An organism that is able to produce its own nutrients from inorganic materials like carbon dioxide. An organism that cannot produce its’ own nutritional material and must obtain its energy by consuming organic substances, like plant or animal matter. An organism that derives its’ energy solely from dead plant or animal matter. The ‘Ten Percent Rule’ states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level in an ecosystem/trophic pyramid is transferred to the next. For example, if an animal eats plant matter only about 10% of the energy stored in the plant is transferred to the animal—the rest is lost in transfer, due to incomplete digestion, or lost due to a variety of other reasons. A change in structure or habit that an animal or organism undergoes to function better in its environment, through the process of natural selection. A change/adaptation in the habits or behaviors of an animal that helps it to survive and reproduce in its environment. These behaviors/habits can be learned or instinctive (from birth). A change/adaptation in the organism’s structure or body that helps it to survive and reproduce effectively in its biome. For example, the fins on a fish help it to travel faster and with more control. An interaction/relationship between two different animals or organisms that are not similar (of the same species). A form of Symbiosis where one of the organisms benefits from the relationship and the other is neither benefited nor harmed. A form of Symbiosis/interaction where both of the organisms benefit from the relationship. A form of Symbiosis/interaction where one species (the parasite) benefits whereas the other species (the host) is harmed. |