Basic Ecological Concepts

Study Notes

Basic Ecological Concepts

Biosphere: The part of Earth where all life exists.
Ecosystem: A community of living things and their environment.
Biotic: All living things in an environment.
Abiotic: All non-living things in an environment.
Habitat: The natural environment where a living thing lives and grows.
Population: A group of the same species living in a specific area.
Community (Biology): A group of different species living and interacting in the same area.
Decomposer: An organism that breaks down dead plants and animals.
Scavenger: An animal that eats dead plants and animals.
Collaboration: Different species or organisms working together for mutual benefit.
Mating: The process where organisms reproduce.
Competition: Organisms fighting for resources like food, space, or mates.
Symbiosis: A close relationship between two different organisms, often with benefits.
Mutualism: A type of symbiosis where both organisms benefit.
Commensalism: One organism benefits, while the other is unaffected.
Parasitism: One organism benefits at the expense of the other.
Predation: When one organism hunts and eats another.
Trophic Levels: The energy flow stages in a food chain.
Producer: An organism that makes its own food (usually through photosynthesis).
First Consumer: An organism that eats producers (e.g., a rabbit).
Second Consumer: An organism that eats primary consumers (e.g., a fox eating a rabbit).
Third Consumer: An organism that eats secondary consumers (e.g., a hawk eating a snake).
Tertiary Predator: Top predators that eat secondary consumers.
Apex Predator: Top animals with no natural predators.
Biomass: The total mass of living organisms in a given ecosystem area.
Carnivore: An animal that eats other animals.
Herbivore: An animal that eats plants.
Omnivore: An animal that eats both plants and animals.
Organism: Any living thing (e.g., plants, animals, microorganisms).
Energy Pyramid: A diagram showing energy flow in an ecosystem.
Energy Transfer: The movement of energy between organisms.
Energy Flow: The movement of energy through an ecosystem.

Ecological Relationships

Predation – predator feeding on prey
Competition – organisms compete for resources
Symbiosis (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism) – relationships between organisms
Food Chains and Food Webs – linking organisms through energy transfer

Description

Test your knowledge of essential ecological terms and definitions in this quiz. You'll explore concepts such as biosphere, ecosystems, and different interactions among species. Perfect for students looking to grasp the foundational principles of ecology.