Ecology Vocabulary

Front

What is an organism that produces its own food supply from inorganic compounds called?

Back

Autotroph

Front

What is the original source of almost all energy in most ecosystems?

Back

Sunlight

Front

What do we call an organism that needs to eat other organisms to obtain energy?

Back

Consumer

Front

What is the portion of the planet in which living things are found?

Back

Biosphere

Front

What are the nonliving parts of an ecosystem called?

Back

Abiotic factors

Front

What term describes the living components of an ecosystem?

Back

Biotic factors

Front

What is the term for a large geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions?

Back

Biome

Front

What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy?

Back

Photosynthesis

Front

What is the term for organisms that break down dead organic material?

Back

Decomposers

Front

What do we call the relationship where both species benefit?

Back

Mutualism