12/7/2011
Ecology Definitions
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Ecosystem – A community of interrelated
plants, animals, and abiotic factors
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Evolution – Process by which an organism
changes over time

Natural Selection – The natural process by
which organisms better suited for their
environment survive to pass those qualities on
to successive generations
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Niche – A specific area or function within a habitat
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Photosynthesis – The chemical process by which
plants use the Sun’s energy to convert water and
carbon dioxide into sugar
Abiotic – Describes nonliving factors that help
living things survive; temperature, soil, light,
water
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Adaptive Radiation – Diversification from a
common ancestor into different forms
Adaptation - A physical or behavioral change that
improves a species’ ability to succeed in its
environment

Biome – Linked ecosystems that form a large
regional or global living community
Artificial Selection – Human intervention in breeding
animals or plants with desired characteristics

Food Chain – The way food energy is
transferred from one organism to another
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Habitat – The place in which an organism lives

Community – The living part of an ecosystem

Cellular Respiration – The process of releasing
energy stored in carbohydrates that produces carbon
dioxide and water (exhale)

Food Producers – Organisms such as plants
and algae which, through the process of
photosynthesis, create energyenergy-rich food

First-Order Consumers – Organisms that eat food
Firstproducers (plants)
(plants) (Primary)

Ecology – the study of the relationships and
interactions of living things with one another
and with their physical environment

Population – A group of organisms of the same
species living in the same ecosystem
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Second-Order Consumer – Organisms that eat first
Secondorder consumers (Secondary)
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Third-Order Consumer – Organisms that eat secondThirdsecondorder consumers (Tertiary)
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12/7/2011
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Decomposers – Organisms such as fungi and bacteria
that break down the complex chemical compounds
made by living things into simple nutrients that are
used by food producers
Combustion – The process of burning such things as
wood or fossil fuels that releases carbon dioxide,
water, and stored energy.
Carbon cycle – The movement of carbon atoms
through an ecosystem between living organisms as
well as the nonnon-living part of an environment

Fertile Offspring – Offspring that will mature and be
able to reproduce

Water cycle:
cycle: – The movement of water
through an ecosystem between living
organisms as well as the nonnon-living part of an
environment

Nitrogen cycle: – The movement of nitrogen
through an ecosystem between living
organisms as well as the nonnon-living part of an
environment

Food Web – Interconnected food chains in an
ecosystem

Species – very similar organisms that can interbreed
and produce fertile offspring

Biotic – the living things in an ecosystem

Extinction – The complete destruction of an entire
species of organism

Nutrient – A simple chemical compound used to
nourish living things; the useable part of the food
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