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Biology Ecology Flashcards
Ecology Unit Flash Cards
55
Science
9th Grade
03/03/2011

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Term
Ecologist (Ecology)
Definition
(Eco= Latin prefix for environment or nature) Studies natural relationships
Term
Bio
Definition
Latin prefix for life
Term
Biologist (Biology)
Definition
Studies life (All organisms)
Term
Biotic
Definition
Dealing with living material (or parts from living material - ex digested waste, hair, skin, bones, etc.)
Term
Abiotic
Definition
nonliving material (never living material) ex. Rock, air, water
Term
Zoologist (Zoology)
Definition
(Zoo=Latin prefix for animal) Studies animals
Term
Botanist (Botany)
Definition
(Bot=Latin prefix for plant) Studies plants
Term
Ecosystem
Definition
Community of plants and animals and their special environment and relationship with each other
Term
Trophic
Definition
Latin word for energy or nutrition
Term
Auto
Definition
Latin prefix for self ex. automatic
Term
Hetero
Definition
Latin prefix for different ex. Heterosexual
Term
Sapro
Definition
Latin Prefix for rot or decomposition
Term
Organism
Definition
ANYTHING that is alive
Term
Producer
Definition
An organism that makes or produces its own energy (food) (Autotrophic) ex: all plants and algea
Term
Autotrophic
Definition
An organism that uses photosynthesis to make its own energy
Term
Algea
Definition
Primary (simple) producer of a freshwater pond or most any other body or water
Term
Consumer
Definition
An organism that obtains or eats its energy (food) from another organism
Term
Heterotrophic
Definition
An organism that obtains or eats its energy (food) from another organism
Term
Herbivore
Definition
A heterotrophic consumer that feeds on producers (plant eater)
Term
Carnivore
Definition
A heterotrophic consumer that feeds on other consumers (meat eater)
Term
Omnivore
Definition
A heterotrophic consumer that feeds on both plants and animals
Term
Community
Definition
A specific area with specific organisms (both plant and animal)
Term
Interdependent
Definition
Where each organism in a community depends on all other organisms in the community
Term
H
Definition
Hydrogen
Term
O
Definition
Oxygen
Term
O2
Definition
Free Oxygen
Term
H2O
Definition
Water
Term
CO2
Definition
Carbon Dioxide
Term
Celsius
Definition
Metric unit for measuring temperature
Term
P
Definition
Phosphorus
Term
K
Definition
Potassium
Term
N
Definition
Nitrogen
Term
Decay
Definition
The breakdown of large compounds into simple compounds
Term
Decomposer
Definition
An organism that will cause decay (decomposers secrete digestive enzymes outside of their body (like puking) and absorb their energy (food) Ex: bacteria or fungi)
Term
Saprotrophic
Definition
An organism that will cause decay from dead or damaged organisms
Term
Bacteria
Definition
The most common decomposer (there are many types of bacteria - both helpful and harmful)
Term
Niche
Definition
The role an organisms plays in nature
Term
Adaptation
Definition
To change or adjust to one's environment - if the population of a specific species is unable to adapt to an environment, it can become extinct
Term
Hibernation
Definition
A deep sleep where body functions (circulatory system, respiratory system, etc) almost stop,  Ex: Frogs, salamanders and squirrels
Term
Scats or Feces
Definition
Digested waste material from an animal (scat=from a wild animal)
Term
Nymph or larvae
Definition
The immature stage (form) of an insect
Term
Scavenger
Definition
An organism that feeds (heterotrophic consumer) on dead organic matter**Scavengers are not parasite, a parasite will live off a living host. Scavenger example: snail, crayfish, magpie, vulture.  Parasite example: Mosquito, leech, tick
Term
Habitat
Definition
The place an organism lives or is found (prairie, mountains, ocean, pond)
Term
Micro habitat
Definition
A small habitat within a larger habitat (mountain meadow)
Term
Neuston
Definition
Organisms that live on the water's surface (ex: water strider, jesus beetle, whirlgig beetle NOTE: a duck is not a neuston since they don't live their entire life on the water)
Term
Population (species)
Definition
a group of individuals of all the same species
Term
Community
Definition
Specific area made up of specific plants and animals (organisms)
Term
Doubling Factor
Definition
When number double over a certain period of time
Term
Carrying Capacity
Definition
Largest amound of individuals of a specific species that can survive over long periods of time in a given environment
Term
Equilibrium
Definition
When a population shows no drastic change over time
Term
Balance of Nature
Definition
Equilibrium between vegetation, predetor and prey
Term
Natural Selection
Definition
Change through adaptation that enables an organism to live successfully in its environment
Term
Energy Pyramid
Definition
Tool to show the loss of energy in a food chain
Term
Competition
Definition
When two or more individuals with combined needs for one or more resources exceed the availability of those resources
Term
Extinction
Definition
Death of a population or species
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