THIS IS A CLASS SET WRITE ON YOUR PAPER
CHAPTER
13
PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY
Vocabulary Practice
ecology
community
ecosystem
biome
biotic
abiotic
biodiversity
keystone species
producer
autotroph
consumer
heterotroph
chemosynthesis
food chain
herbivore
carnivore
omnivore
detritivore
decomposer
specialist
generalist
trophic level
food web
hydrologic cycle
biogeochemical cycle
nitrogen fixation
biomass
energy pyramid
A. Synonyms or Antonyms Identify the words in each pair as synonyms, which are
words that mean roughly the same thing, or antonyms, which are words that mean roughly the
opposite.
1. producer/autotroph
2. specialist/generalist
3. biotic/abiotic
4. consumer/heterotroph
5. chemosynthesis/photosynthesis
6. herbivore/meat-eater
B. Stepped-Out Vocabulary Define each word. Then write two additional facts that
are related to the word.
WORD
DEFINITION
MORE INFORMATION
Example herbivore
an organism that eats plants
primary consumer
a cow is an herbivore
1. detritivore
2. omnivore
3. decomposer
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Holt McDougal Biology
1
Principles of Ecology
VOCABULARY PRACTICE, CONTINUED
C. Word Origins Circle the Greek and Latin word parts in each vocabulary term. Then
use the Greek and Latin meanings to construct a very basic definition of the vocabulary word.
bio-
=
life
auto-
eco-
=
home
syn-
=
-vore
=
=
self
carnus =
flesh
hetero- =
different
omnis =
all
together
chemo- =
chemical
detrere =
to wear away
eat
photo- =
light
geo-
earth
-troph =
nourishment
-logy
study of
hydro- =
water
herba =
=
=
vegetation
WORD
DEFINITION
1. ecology
2. photosynthesis
3. carnivore
4. herbivore
5. detritivore
6. omnivore
7. chemosynthesis
8. autotroph
9. heterotroph
10. biogeochemical cycle
11. hydrologic cycle
12. biomass
D. Categorize Words Write “A” next to words that can describe abiotic factors. Write
“B” next to words that can describe biotic factors.
1.
wind
sunlight
deer
2.
soil
sunflower
water
3.
fungus
snow
eagle
4.
temperature
prairie dog
frog
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Holt McDougal Biology
2
Principles of Ecology
VOCABULARY PRACTICE, CONTINUED
E. Find the Odd Word Place a check mark next to the word that does not belong and
explain why.
1.
consumer
Explanation
carnivore
plant
2.
detritivore
Explanation
producer
decomposer
3.
omnivore
Explanation
autotroph
herbivore
4.
trophic level
Explanation
energy pyramid
biomass pyramid
F. What’s the Difference? For each pair of words below, describe the difference
between the two terms.
1. producer/consumer
2. chemosynthesis/photosynthesis
3. food chain/food web
4. community/ecosystem
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Holt McDougal Biology
3
Principles of Ecology
VOCABULARY PRACTICE, CONTINUED
Write the clue and the term on your paper.
G. Crossword Puzzle
Use the clues to solve the puzzle.
Across
Down
1. A diagram that compares energy use among
3.
6.
7.
8.
10.
2. The process by which gaseous nitrogen is
trophic levels
Level of nourishment in a food chain
Movement of a particular chemical through
the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem
All of the organisms as well as the abiotic
factors in a given area
The variety of living things in an ecosystem
A major regional or global community of
organisms
1.
4.
5.
6.
7.
converted into ammonia
Detritivore that breaks down organic matter
into simpler compounds
A consumer that primarily eats one specific
organism
The measure of the total dry mass of organisms
in a given area
The study of the interactions among living
things, and between living things and their
surroundings
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Holt McDougal Biology
4
Principles of Ecology