Chapter 3
Energy and Matter in
Ecosystems
adaptation – an inherited trait or
characteristic that helps an organism survive
endangered species – a species, or kind of
organism, close to becoming extinct
extinction – the death of a species
American Lion
Labrador Ducks
Passenger Pigeon
Cuban Red Macaw
habitat – the natural environment where an
organism lives
niche – the role of an organism in its habitat
pollution – harmful substances that have
been added to the environment
population – all the members of the same type
of organism living in an ecosystem
predator – an animal that hunts and eats
other animals
prey – an animal that is hunted and eaten by
predators
symbiosis – a close, long-lasting relationship
between two species
Oxpeckers eat the parasites off of large animals like this African
buffalo. But they're also parasites themselves, keeping wounds
open and picking at scabs.
mutualism- when both organisms
benefit, but none are harmed
The clownfish benefits from the anemone’s protection. Many fish won’t go near it
because of the anemone’s sting. That means the clownfish won’t be eaten. The
anemone benefits because the clownfish scares away butterfly fish. They are
some of the fish that actually eat anemones .Without the clownfish there, the
butterfly fish would eat the anemone.
Parasitism- one organism benefits
and the other one is harmed
With ticks and head lice, the host animal can be
harmed from disease or weakened.
Commensalism- only one organism
benefits, but the other is not affected
This is a cattle egret. They will follow cattle and other
livestock. As cattle, horses, and other livestock graze
on the field, they cause movements that stir up various
insects. As the insects are stirred up, the cattle egrets
following the livestock catch and feed upon them. The
egrets benefit from this relationship because the
livestock have helped them find their meals, while the
livestock are typically unaffected by it.
threatened species – a species that may
become endangered without protection
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means all the members of the
same type of organism living in an
ecosystem?
population
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means a species that may
become endangered without protection?
threatened
species
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means an inherited trait or
characteristic that helps an organism
survive?
adaptation
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means a close, long-lasting
relationship between two species?
symbiosis
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means a species, or kind of
organism, close to becoming extinct?
endangered
species
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means an animal that is hunted
and eaten by predators?
prey
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means the death of a species?
extinction
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means the natural environment
where an organism lives?
habitat
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means an animal that hunts
and eats other animals?
predator
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means the role of an organism
in its environment?
niche
Quiz Time!
adaptation, endangered species, extinction,
habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,
prey, symbiosis, threatened species
Which word means harmful substances that
have been added to the environment?
pollution