Ecology and the Biosphere

Abiotic factor

A nonliving part of the environment, like water, light, or temperature. Abiotic factor. An abiotic factor is a nonliving component that affects the ecosystem, like sunlight or soil.

Autotroph

An organism that uses energy from the sun to produce its own food, like plants. Autotroph. An autotroph is a living thing that makes its own food using sunlight or chemical energy.

Biogeochemical cycle

The movement of a chemical through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem biogeochemical cycle. A biogeochemical cycle is the continuous recycling of nutrients and elements through the environment, organisms, and the Earth's systems.

Biomass

Total mass of all living matter in a given area. Biomass. Biomass is the amount of living material present in a specific habitat, like plants and animals, which can be used for energy.

Biome

Large areas with similar climates, plants, and animals, like a tundra, taiga, or desert. Biome. A biome is a large region of Earth with a specific climate and certain types of plants and animals.

Biosphere

The part of Earth with life, its land, water and atmosphere. Biosphere. The biosphere is the global area where living organisms exist and interact with their environment.

Biotic factor

a living factor in the environment, like plants or animals. biotic factor. In Science, a biotic factor refers to any living component that affects the ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Carnivore

An animal that only eats other animals. Carnivore. A carnivore is an animal that gets its energy and nutrients by consuming other animals.

Chemosynthesis

A process by which some organisms, like bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates. Chemosynthesis. Chemosynthesis is how certain organisms make food using energy from chemical reactions instead of sunlight.

Consumer

Unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things. Consumer. In Science, a consumer is an organism that eats other living things to obtain energy.

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria. Decomposer. A decomposer is a living thing that recycles nutrients by breaking down dead matter.

Denitrification

When a bacteria converts nitrates into nitrogen gas. Denitrification. Denitrification is the process by which bacteria change nitrates in the soil into nitrogen gas, releasing it back into the atmosphere.

Detritivore

An organism that feeds on dead organic matter. Detritivore. Detritivores are animals that eat dead plants and animals, helping to recycle nutrients in ecosystems.

Ecology

How organisms interact with their environment. Ecology. Ecology is the study of how living things relate to each other and their surroundings.

Ecosystem

All the living and nonliving things interacting in an area. Ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community where plants, animals, and the environment work together.

Energy pyramid

The diagram of energy loss through a food chain. Energy pyramid. An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the energy flow and loss at each trophic level in an ecosystem, with energy decreasing as it moves from producers to top consumers.

Food chain

The food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem. Food chain. A food chain is a sequence showing how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

Food web

A model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem. Food web. A food web illustrates how different animals and plants are connected through the food they consume.

Herbivore

An animal that eats only plants. Herbivore. Herbivores are animals that obtain their energy and nutrients by consuming plants.

Heterotroph

An organism that cannot make its own food, including all animals, is called a heterotroph. A heterotroph is an organism that eats other organisms to get energy.

Nitrogen fixation

The process in which soil bacteria convert nitrogen gas into ammonia is called nitrogen fixation. In simple terms, nitrogen fixation is how certain bacteria change nitrogen from the air into a form plants can use for growth.

Nutrient

A substance that an organism needs to live, like water or minerals. Nutrient. Nutrients are essential materials found in food that help organisms grow, survive, and stay healthy.

Omnivore

Can eat both plants and animals. Omnivore. An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that float near the waters surface, like algae. Phytoplankton are tiny water organisms that make their own food using sunlight, just like plants.

Plankton

Tiny microscopic organisms that float or drift in water. Plankton are small creatures that live in water and are a crucial part of the food chain, providing energy for larger marine animals.

Producer

Organism that can make its own food, like all plants. Producer. A producer is an organism that creates its own food through photosynthesis, usually plants.

Trophic level

A step in the food chain or food web. Trophic level. A trophic level is the position an organism occupies in a food chain, like primary producers or top predators.

Zooplankton

Floating animal plankton. Zooplankton. Zooplankton is tiny aquatic animals that drift in water and are an important food source for larger marine organisms.