Chapter 2 Vocabulary

Front

Nonliving factor in an organism's environment (e.g., soil, water, temperature, light).

Back

Abiotic factor

Front

Organism that produces its own food from sunlight or inorganic substances.

Back

Autotroph

Front

Exchange of matter through the biosphere involving living organisms and chemical processes.

Back

Biogeochemical cycle

Front

Interacting populations of different species in the same geographic location.

Back

Biological community

Front

Total mass of living matter at each trophic level.

Back

Biomass

Front

Large group of ecosystems sharing the same climate and communities.

Back

Biome

Front

Thin layer of Earth and atmosphere that supports life.

Back

Biosphere

Front

Living factor in an organism's environment.

Back

Biotic factor

Front

Heterotroph that preys on other heterotrophs.

Back

Carnivore

Front

Symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

Back

Commensalism