Unit 9: Ecosystems Vocabulary Practice Flashcard

Front

An organism that produces its own food supply from solar energy or chemicals:

Back

Autotroph

Answer explanation

An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food using solar energy or chemical processes, unlike heterotrophs, consumers, and decomposers that rely on other organisms for energy.

Front

An organism that eats other organisms to obtain energy:

Back

Consumer

Answer explanation

A consumer is an organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms. In contrast, autotrophs produce their own energy, and producers create energy through photosynthesis. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Consumer'.

Front

Autotrophs that convert solar energy to chemical energy stored in the bonds of glucose/sugars also are called:

Back

Producers

Answer explanation

Autotrophs that convert solar energy into chemical energy in glucose are known as producers. They create their own food through photosynthesis, unlike decomposers, consumers, or heterotrophs, which rely on other organisms for energy.

Front

The study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

Back

Ecology

Answer explanation

Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and their environment, making it the correct choice. Biology is broader, while geology and chemistry focus on different aspects of science.

Front

A group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live within a defined area:

Back

Population

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Population' because it refers to a group of organisms of the same species that interbreed and inhabit a specific area, distinguishing it from broader terms like 'Community' or 'Biosphere'.

Front

Group of populations comprised of many species that live together in a defined area:

Back

Community

Answer explanation

A community is defined as a group of populations of different species living together in a specific area. This distinguishes it from a biome, which encompasses larger ecological areas, and an ecosystem, which includes both living and non-living components.

Front

All of the squirrels living in a park would be considered a:

Back

Population

Answer explanation

All of the squirrels in the park represent a population, as they are a group of the same species living in a specific area. A community includes different species, while an ecosystem encompasses both living and non-living components.

Front

All of the fish and aquatic plants living in a lake are a:

Back

Community

Answer explanation

A community consists of all the different species living and interacting in a specific area, such as the fish and aquatic plants in a lake. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Community'.

Front

Organisms that break down decaying material and release nutrients back into the ecosystem:

Back

Decomposers

Answer explanation

Decomposers are organisms that break down decaying material, returning essential nutrients to the ecosystem. This process is crucial for nutrient cycling, distinguishing them from consumers, producers, and other groups.

Front

Organisms obtain energy from dead matter: Consumers, Producers, Decomposers, Autotrophs, Detritivores

Back

Detritivores

Answer explanation

Detritivores are organisms that obtain energy by consuming dead organic matter, breaking it down into simpler substances. This process is essential for nutrient cycling in ecosystems.