Ecology Essential Vocabulary

Organisms that can capture energy from inorganic materials and convert it into forms living cells can use.

• Autotrophs

• Heterotroph

• Consumer

• Detritivores

Process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as starches and sugars.

• Chemosynthesis

• Primary Producer

• Photosynthesis

• Autotroph

Organisms that cannot produce their own energy and must acquire it from other organisms; consumer.

• Heterotroph

• Autotroph

• Primary Producer

• Photosynthesis

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

• Species

• organism

• Consumer

• Producer

Each step in a food chain or food web

• Limiting factor

• Ecology

• Ecosystem

• Trophic level

first producer of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms

• Consumer

• Heterotroph

• Primary Producer

• Secondary Consumer

organisms that rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients; heterotroph

• Primary Producer

• Autotroph

• Consumer

• Chemotroph

All the organisms and the physical environment with which they interact.

• Species

• Population

• Ecosystem

• Biome

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that a particular environment can support

• Trophic level

• Ecosystem

• Limiting factor

• Carrying Capacity

The process in which autotrophs use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

• Photosynthesis

• Chemosynthesis

• Carrying capacity

• Respiration