Ecology Vocab Review

The process by which soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas

Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of the Earth in which life exists

organisms that break down dead matter

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

A process in which elements are passed from one organism to another and through the biosphere

Organic matter that has been turned into fuel by heat and pressure over millions of years

An assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area

Process to make food energy from inorganic chemicals

A nutrient that limits the productivity of primary production. Examples: Nitrogen & Phosphorus

The process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen that plants can absorb and use

Include volcanic eruptions and the formation and breakdown of rock.

can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and convert it into forms that it can use

Obtain energy and nutrients by eating plant leaves, roots, seeds, or fruits

Animals whose diets naturally include different foods include both plants and animals

Any and all activities performed by living organisms.

Each step in a food chain or food web

Any nonliving part of the environment, such as sunlight, heat, precipitation

Animals that consume the carcasses of other animals that have died

Process that Captures light energy & convert carbon dioxide to oxygen & carbohydrates

Organisms​ ​that​ ​rely​ ​on​ ​other​ ​organisms​ ​for​ ​energy​ ​and​ ​nutrients​

Another term for herbivores

Must acquire energy from other organisms- by ingesting them

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

Kill and eat other animals

The scientific study of interactions among organisms & organisms and their physical environment

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

Any living part of the environment with which organisms might interact