Ecology Terms

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Autotroph

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An organism that makes its own food, usually using sunlight (like plants).

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Carnivore

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An animal that eats other animals.

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Decomposer

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An organism, like fungi or bacteria, that breaks down dead plants and animals into simpler substances.

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Food Chain

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A simple way to show how energy moves through an ecosystem, from one organism eating another.

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Herbivore

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An animal that only eats plants.

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Heterotroph

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An organism that cannot make its own food and must eat other organisms for energy.

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Omnivore

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An animal that eats both plants and animals.

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Trophic Level

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The position an organism occupies in a food chain, such as producer, primary consumer, or secondary consumer.