Chapter 3 The Biosphere - Vocabulary

Front

The part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere

Back

Biosphere

Front

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring

Back

Species

Front

An assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area

Back

Community

Front

The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment

Back

Ecology

Front

The physical, or nonliving, factor that shapes an ecosystem

Back

Abiotic factor

Front

An organism that is able to capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its own food from inorganic compounds; also called a producer

Back

Autotroph

Front

The process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another

Back

Biogeochemical cycle

Front

The total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level

Back

Biomass

Front

A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms

Back

Biome

Front

Any living part of the environment with which an organism might interact

Back

Biotic factor