Biology Definitions Flashcards

Ecosystem and Components

• Ecosystem refers to the interaction between living organisms and nonliving elements like air, water, and soil.
• These elements function together as a system, affecting each other’s survival and well-being.

Producers

• Producers, or autotrophs, create their food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
• Plants are the most common examples of producers.

Consumers

• Herbivores exclusively consume plant matter.
• Carnivores, also known as meat-eaters, derive energy from consuming animal tissue through predation or scavenging.
• Omnivores have a varied diet, consuming both plants and animals, and may hunt or scavenge for food.

Food Systems

• Food chains represent a linear sequence of organisms, each serving as a food source for the next.
• A food web is a complex interlinking of multiple food chains demonstrating the interconnectedness of species in an ecosystem.

Trophic Levels and Energy

• Trophic levels categorize the role of organisms in an ecosystem's food chain based on their source of energy.
• Energy is critical for physical and mental activities, emanating from the food consumed.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• Biotic factors are related to living organisms, affecting ecological interactions.
• Abiotic factors are nonliving components, impacting habitat and ecosystem structure.

Biomagnification

• Biomagnification occurs when the concentration of toxic substances in organisms increases up the food chain, often impacting top predators.

Population and Community

• Population refers to all the organisms of a specific species in a given area.
• Community encompasses various populations living and interacting in a shared environment.

Decomposers

• Decomposers break down dead matter, facilitating nutrient cycling and energy flow in ecosystems.
• They are heterotrophic, obtaining nutrients from organic substrates.

Species and Taxonomy

• A species is a group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding, classified within a taxonomic hierarchy.
• The formal name of a species follows the binomial nomenclature (e.g., Homo sapiens).

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

• Photosynthesis enables plants to convert sunlight into chemical energy, producing oxygen as a byproduct.
• Cellular respiration is the process where organisms convert nutrients into ATP, releasing waste.

Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

• Autotrophs synthesize organic substances from inorganic materials.
• Heterotrophs, in contrast, derive nutrition from complex organic substances.

Sampling Methods in Ecology

• Transect sampling employs a line to guide the measurement of organism distribution along a straight path.
• Quadrat sampling involves placing defined areas to study biodiversity, recording species within each square for analysis.

Test your knowledge of key biology terms with these flashcards. Each card defines essential concepts such as ecosystems and producers, helping you understand the interactions within biological systems. Perfect for students and biology enthusiasts alike!